Armed Polite Society

Main Forums => The Roundtable => Topic started by: Brad Johnson on May 14, 2017, 10:46:06 AM

Title: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Brad Johnson on May 14, 2017, 10:46:06 AM
Have an 04-08 F150 with a brake warning light that won't go off even though the parking brake switch and master cylinder reservoir level switch test good? Chances are is the instrument cluster connection. Not to fear, it's a simple fix invovling reflowing a few solder joints.

https://youtu.be/RJnb80sSlw4

Removing the instrument cluster is an easy five minute job, too.

https://youtu.be/PSV0fysF8Ug

Brad
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Hawkmoon on May 14, 2017, 02:52:14 PM
Of course, you could just remove the bulb ...
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Scout26 on May 14, 2017, 05:26:40 PM
or wait until it burns out....
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Brad Johnson on March 27, 2018, 09:28:55 AM
*update*

The original solder reflow didn't hold and I had the errant brake like issue again. Bit the bullet and sent the cluster to a place called Circuit Board Medic. They seem to be the go-to folks for this issue, at least according to all the truck forums.

Very please with them. For less than half the installed total of a new OEM cluster, and probably about the same amount of total time, I'm back in business. Turn-around time was exactly as promised and the work, at least what I can see, looks to be top notch. In addition to all manner of vehicle instrument cluster maladies they also work on appliance control boards.

https://circuitboardmedics.com/

Brad
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: zxcvbob on March 27, 2018, 09:58:43 AM
The ABS light is on all the time in my 2001 Silverado -- but it's like that because I pulled the ABS fuse.  <shrug> you get used to it.

(the ABS makes it impossible to stop on icy roads, that's why I disabled it)
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: 230RN on March 27, 2018, 10:24:51 AM
The ABS light is on all the time in my 2001 Silverado -- but it's like that because I pulled the ABS fuse.  <shrug> you get used to it.

(the ABS makes it impossible to stop on icy roads, that's why I disabled it)

Huh.  Don't know if you're kidding or not, but I do b'leeves I can stop on ice and snow better with no ABS than with it.

Case1:  Had an Audi with a switch to have ABS on or off and in actual practice, I did better with it off than on.

Case2:  My '97 Subie has not had the ABS working since I bought it and, without actual on-off tests, I think I stop pretty good without it.

This may be part of the "I'm a better driver slightly drunk than sober, so watch me beat my chest," syndrome, but on the other hand, I've never been motivated to get the ABS on the Subie fixed.

Now I may be way off base in terms of newer, faster ABS systems, but that's the way it looks to me.

Terry
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Kingcreek on March 27, 2018, 10:37:03 AM
Thank you.
I see a jenn aire appliance repair for $159 instead of the $600 I was quoted for a replacement.
Title: Re: 2004-2008 F150 brake warning light issue
Post by: Boomhauer on March 28, 2018, 11:53:22 AM
20 year old ABS like the above GM and Subaru examples was primitive and not that great. GM systems also seemed to have a lot of issues too. All of ours ended up disabled for that reason