Parking Brake Problem

[lee2489]

I have a 2wd explorer. About two months ago i notice the parking brake being on when the pedal wasn't pushed in. I pulled the release handle and it wouldn't go off. after riding down the road about 10 min, it went off. but when i stopped at a red light and started again, it came on. then went off. In the afternoon when the outside temperature was higher, it didn't come on at all. As the weather has gotten warmer it hasn't done it as much, but still does sometimes. is this the antilock brakes or something? when the light is on and riding down the road, you can't smell brakes burning or anything. is this a computer problem or light problem or sensor problem. i have no idea.

 

[firepop5]

If the parking brake pedal offers resistance when you push it down and springs back up when you pull the release handle it's probably not a parking brake issue. Does the parking brake hold the car if you put it drive at idle?

That light also will tell you if your brake fluid is low. Have you checked it?

It could also be a problem with the switch that turns on the light when you activate the parking brake.

 

[lee2489]

The brake fluid was low. Thanks for the help. I did a brake job today and used a spreader on the calipers to get them back on. Opened the bleed valve and some fluid came out when i pushed the pistons back in. Then i closed the valve when finished. Added more fluid to the max fill line when i finished everything. Now the brake pedal is soft and goes too close to the floor. Was i supposed to do something else?

 

[hworksinc]

You weren't supposed to open the bleed valve - you probably have air in your lines (or at least in the calipers) now. Also, if your brake fluid was very low, air may have been introduced to the system from that end.

When replacing the pads, you're just supposed to push the caliper piston back in - the fluid will go back into the reservoir - no need to fiddle with the bleeder.

You should bleed the brakes - if any air got back into the ABS actuator, you'll need special equipment (or take it to a shop) to properly bleed it.