new guy with a break question...

[JETSWU87]

Hi how are ya,

new person here tryin to help my parents out with there explorer

specs
'92 sport
rear anti lock 2 wheel drive


ok the rear anti lock light use to come on everyonce and a while, but it would go off.

Now both break lights are coming on, im guessing the one inside the instrument panel is too.

My dad says the break pedal feels more "mushy" he thinks its the master cylinder but theres no signs of leakage

any ideas guys?


Thanks

 

[TPLYNCH]

Check to make sure the fluid is full. The RABS light is probably from a bad sensor. There is also a computer module (I think) for the RABS system that goes bad as well. If you run a Search for RABS or Rear Antilock you should find a slew of threads regarding the same sitution you are in and how to fix.

Welcome to the site!

 

[SouthernWheelin]

The first thing to do would be to check the wires going to the rear anti-lock sensor to make sure they arent broken. The sensor is located on the rear differential housing. You will have to get under the vehicle to see it as it is located on the drive shaft side near the top. My rabs light was on due to a break behind the rear driverside wheel between the frame and the axle housing and look like it had been stretched apart.

Next check the plug to the antilock control valve. If this is unpluged it will cause both brake lights to come on as I personally found out as well. It is located on the driverside frame rail near the front of the vehicle. Also check the wires coming from the plug for any breaks.

The mushy feel could be caused by many things. The brakes may need to be bled if they have gotten air in them. As TPLYNCH pointed out, check the fluid level as many vehicles have a sensor the will trigger the brake light when the fluid gets low. The master cylinder can go bad without leaking as the pistons inside can be worn out, especially if is runs out of fluid. If it has rear drums then you should pull them off and check the wheel cylinders for leakage. Use a flathead screwdriver and carefully pull up the outer lip of the wheel cylinder seal and if fluid runs out then the cylinders are bad. If none the prob is elsewhere.

I had this happen on my '91 Cougar, the brake pedal began to feel really mushy and after I had replaced everything except the brake lines I found a pin sized hole in the plastic resevoir. It was allowing the pressure to go out and after I sealed it with some rubber cement I had for plugging tires they were good as new. So maybe check the tank to make sure it is sealing properly.

Of course it could be, as stated above, the antilock control module but I would check this last as it is not a cheap part.

Well, hope this helps in some way

_____________________
Brian
'91 Eddie Bauer 4x4