What I learned about brake fluid & 4 wheel disks wasOT: Brake Warning Light on a F*rd

[2ndtimearround]

Sorry for posting off topic, but trying to diagnose a problem with my 96 Ford Windstar's brakes.

The warning light comes on under acceleration from a stop (then goes out), it also comes on while decelerating (then goes out), just as the van stops. It only does this some of the time, and usually not when I want it to, and only to/from a stop.

Braking effectiveness is still very good, and no ABS warning light.

Any ideas????

Lawrence

[ October 21, 2003, 05:26 AM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]

[BK]

Faulty switch or wire?

[2ndtimearround]

BK got me thinking, so I dived in and I fixed it, but learned somethings about brake fluid and four wheel disk brakes, after RTFM and talking to a good parts counterman! :D

1. 4 wheel disk brake vehicles (or at least Windstars) require the brake fluid to be toped up once a year due to pad where;

2. There are two types of DOT 3 brake fluid, the normal stuff, and the stuff for F*rds. F*rds are special and need DOT 3 with a temperature rating of 500 degrees. If you put normal DOT 3 brake fluid in one of the special F*rds it will evaporate due to engine compartment temperatures!

3. The reason my light was flashing? Well on Windstars the light also indicates low brake fluid! The float switch was activating when I braked on accelerated -- sometimes.

So I added some of this special F*rd brake fluid and the light no longer flashes....

Lawrence

[ October 21, 2003, 05:27 AM: Message edited by: 2ndtimearround ]

[River Beast]

I was going to say that.... my neighbor just had this problem with her Windstar about 2 weeks ago... sorry I didn't repsond to your other post...