Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Brakes ABS and Brake Lights Stay On

Both my ABS and Brakes lights stay on. I checked my brake reservoir and it was a little low but it was still quite a bit above the minimum.

It happened the other day when I was driving home from work. All of sudden both lights came on and stayed on. When I got home, I stopped the car and started it again hoping that the lights would go off. Well the lights came on and stayed on after I started the car. I even toke the negative terminal off the battery and see if the computer needed to be reset. Well that did not work either.

The only thing I can think of is that the front brake pads need to be changed. Maybe the pads are thin enough to set off both the ABS and brake lights. I am going to change the pads soon; I hope that is the problem. Has any one worn their bake pads enough to set off both the ABS and Brake lights?

Can there be another problem?

When the ABS light is on, the Ford shop manual only addresses troubleshooting by reading the fault codes. Most likely it is something with the ABS system itself, such as the control module, hydraulic control unit, or wheel sensor. You will probably need professional help.

Worn brake pads cant cause a "brake" light.
Low fluid in the master cylinder, e - brake set, or one of your brake lines snapped grounding the thing on the master cylinder and making the cirucit complete so your brake light comes on.

I would first check to see if your e-brake is on, then add fluid to the master cylinder.

Cant help with ABS as I dont have it, I do know there is a code for the ABS light just like check engine lights.

First it will be helpful to have your car year/engine. Check the usual mechanic stuff as others said. Brake pads thickness, fluid level, wires damage, fluid leaking fromthe master cylinder/HCU, excessive wheel bearings . If everything seems alright, go somewhere to have your code reads. Tell me when you will have your codes, i have the how to to diagnostic ABS.

And stop unplugging your battery, if the light goes on that mean something, don't try fooling your car, and you, that everything goes normal.

Nic.

I have a 2000 SVT Contour. I have checked out everything on the car and the brake fluid it a little low. I don't think that's the problem since I once did let my brake fluid go less the minimum level and only the brake light stayed on. There are no leaks and all of the brake lines look fine. I have to agree that there must be something wrong with the ABS even though it seems to work fine. How do I pull the codes to find out why both my brake and ABS lights stay on? Will Autozone do this for me?

Mine did that when my diff went...any burnouts lately? I doubt AZ will be able to check it.