Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 11:35
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - Delysher

The red warning light comes on when I apply foot break. It does not happen all the time.

I have checked the brake fluid level and topped it up. Is it possible i could have a fluid leak in the braking system.

The car manual says the red warning light has two functions, ie, if the hand break is still on, or applied, or if the brake fluid level is below line.

The red warning light usually comes on if say I am going down a slope, or hill and I have applied the foot break. Also could I have a leak as when I apply the foot break it feels slightly different in that I feel it takes slightly longer to break ?

Any ideas out there anyone ?

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 13:15
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - Peter.N.

Are you sure this light is not also a pad wear indicator?

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 18:52
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - Delysher

I read the booklet that came with the car from new in 1990 and it says that the red light if it comes on has two functions :

1. the handbrake is on

2. the brake fluid needs checking

when you refer to checking the pads are you talking about the front pads or the shoes on the back wheels.

Any help is good, any suggestions ?

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 13:23
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - sb10

Its a pad wear indicator as well,your pads need checking out to see if you need new ones,I suspect you do....

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 18:51
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - Delysher

I read the booklet that came with the car from new in 1990 and it says that the red light if it comes on has two functions :

1. the handbrake is on

2. the brake fluid needs checking

when you refer to checking the pads are you talking about the front pads or the shoes on the back wheels.

Any help is good, any suggestions ?

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Wed 13 Apr 2011 19:20
Ford Escort 1300cc 1990 model - Red warning light sometimes comes on when I brake - sb10

Front pads,if you check you should see a cable going into one pad on each side of car its held on to the damper then goes through the inner wing,you may even find the cable is broken and touching earth somewhere which is putting the light on,

If you havent got a cable to the pads then you will have another fault

Might be worth checking the rears anyway for any signs of leakage from the wheel cylinders as they are rarely checked out, and the shoes adjusted while the drums are off,those auto adjusters are something I have never trusted to work properly anyway (some do most dont)

Let us know what you find

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