E-brake/cruise

[reffug]

OK so its finally cold here, not like some of you experience but 20 degrees is cold enough for me. Got in the truck this morning to come into work and I notice the e-brake light isn't going out. I don't think to much about it cause of the temp/kinda figure the sensor hasn't seated itself and as soon as the truck warms up it will go out. This does occur just as I figure but while the light is on I notice that I can't set the cruise - was feeling lazy it was 4:30a.m. and didn't feel like maintaining my speed. Anyway after the light for the e-brake goes out I am able to set my cruise, my question is are these two tied together and the e-brake sensor not seating wouldn't allow the cruise to set or is the cruise switch suffering from the same I'm to cold to work type situation . I know alot of you guys are in alot colder climates than I am so figured you might have had a similar experience.

 

[Gold Finger]

Cruise? Dont have that. E brake is that what we call the hand brake? I think on most vehicles they can freez up, but at 20C or 20F?

 

[reffug]

Cruise? Dont have that. E brake is that what we call the hand brake? I think on most vehicles they can freez up, but at 20C or 20F?

E brake, hand brake same damn thing and it didn't freeze up it releases fine and is completely released it is the sensor that isn't registering the release and keeping the light on the dash on. 20F of course, I said cold.

 

[landtank]

Not knowing what year truck we are talking about, I'll answer if it was the same as my 96. The brake light can come on for 2 reasons, low fluid of the Emegency Brake being engaged. Usually it's the float in the master cylinder resevour that is the culprit. Others have mentioned a link to that light and their cruise control, however I see no corelation between the 2 in the EWD and have tested mine while the light was on and the CC worked fine.

 

[reffug]

Not knowing what year truck we are talking about, I'll answer if it was the same as my 96. The brake light can come on for 2 reasons, low fluid of the Emegency Brake being engaged. Usually it's the float in the master cylinder resevour that is the culprit. Others have mentioned a link to that light and their cruise control, however I see no corelation between the 2 in the EWD and have tested mine while the light was on and the CC worked fine.

93 Tank and I'll double check but when I checked fluids this weekend everything was within normal operating parameters.

 

[concretejungle]

reffug, if the sensor is going bad on you master cylinder res. like mine was, just pull it.

What chu doing up at 4:30 a.m.?

 

[tusk74]

reffug,
I have been troubleshooting my cruise control problem on my '91 and may have some info for you. The E-Brake, Foot Brake, and Brake Fluid Level Sensor are all tied together in the '91. If any of the 3 are bad, the cruise will not work. This can be tested from the driver's seat following the steps in the FSM.

In my '96, I can be moving along with the cruise on and slightly pull the E-Brake. The RED brake light comes on, but the cruise stays on. I think the setup between the '91 and '96 is slightly different. I still don't have the '91's cruise working (waiting for a speed sensor), but I bet when I do get it working, and do the same test with the E-Brake, the cruise will disengage. Not 100% sure though.

You might have a bad brake fluid level sensor.

 

[cruiserdan]

An illuminated brake warning lamp will disable the cruise no matter why the lamp is on.

 

[reffug]

An illuminated brake warning lamp will disable the cruise no matter why the lamp is on.

Just the geek I was waiting to hear from. Thanks Dan do you think I need to replace the e-brake sensor? Cable tension seems fine and I can tell it is completely released truck rolls real easy.

 

[cruiserdan]

El Geeko says you need to figure out why the light is on....

Possible causes:

Low fluid in the master (most common)

Stuck e-brake switch

Bad level sensor in the master.


Go forth and investigate Grasshopper................

 

[landtank]

An illuminated brake warning lamp will disable the cruise no matter why the lamp is on.

not on my truck. I've set cruise and pulled the e-brake up and no change in cruise control. i haven't checked the fluid level but maybe will at some point.

 

[cruiserdan]

not on my truck. I've set cruise and pulled the e-brake up and no change in cruise control. i haven't checked the fluid level but maybe will at some point.

Yers is broke then. Does the brake light come on when the lever is pulled?

 

[landtank]

yes sir, according to the schematic as far as I remember 12v is supplied directly to one side of the dash lamp and the ground side travels to both the fluid level switch and the e-brake switch. Either switch connects the lamp to ground and turns on the light. If it was integrated with the CC I'd expect the 12v to come from that module. It was a while ago when I checked the EWD so I might be mistaken. I'm in Ohio til Friday and will look at it again then.

 

[tusk74]

landtank,
My '96 will do the same thing.....pull the e-brake with the cruise on and nothing happens. The cruise keeps right on going. I'm not sure it the e-brake on my '91 will kick off the cruise....I haven't made it work yet. Everything on the '96 works (that is related to the cruise control, e-brake, fluid level sensor).

 

[cruiserdan]

I have been doing some investigation and have discovered the following:

The cruise is disengaged when the e-brake lever is pulled in 91-94 but not in 95-97.

That seems counter-intuititive to me for 95-97. I would expect that you would WANT the cruise to shut down when ANY brake is activated. Never-the-less that is how they work.


D-

 

[landtank]

I don't see the need for the CC to be concerned whether or not your e-brake is set or the fluid is low. The CC only adjusts throttle position and does nothing with the brakes. If the operator chooses to ignore the light and drive the vehicle why not let him set the CC, I don't see the safety difference between the two in that situation.

 

[cruiserdan]

As far as the e-brake part of the deal goes, do you think it a good idea that the cruise continues on it's happy way when you try to apply the e-brake? That is counter-intuitive, no?

 

[landtank]

I might be jumping to conclusions here but I'd assume most would first try applying the brakes with the foot pedal first which would disengage the CC.

No system built will be 100% safe, I don't see where having the e-brake lever position integrated into the CC adds any level of safety.


On a side note: My wifes uncle had CC added at the dealership on one of his Taurus'. They never checked it out. He had set the CC for the highway and when the ramp came up he hit the brakes and nothing happened, damn near had an accident.

Seems like the car should have realized something was wrong when it was first started and put in gear and never saw the brake being applied. Hopefully our system is looking for that kinds of stuff.

 

[cruiserdan]

I might be jumping to conclusions here but I'd assume most would first try applying the brakes with the foot pedal first which would disengage the CC.

No system built will be 100% safe, I don't see where having the e-brake lever position integrated into the CC adds any level of safety.

This is how I view it:

I would agree that the first reaction to stop would indeed be to hit the pedal. What if there was a problem with the service brakes that required the use of the "emergency"brake? Or, suppose that the brake light switch at the brake pedal failed.

I personally believe that ANY input should interrupt the cruise. Be it application of the brake pedal, e-brake lever, clutch pedal (if so equipped) or kicking the transmission out of gear.

That being said, this is only my opinion and I am not attempting to sway anybody.

Especially you Rick, yer mellon is so hard it would dull a carbide bit........






I still like you tho....

 

[reffug]

Fluid level fine

Fluid Sensor fine at least as far as my limited brain can figure

Must be e-brake sensor................i think

I like counter-intuitive..................