Symptom Chart - Brake System

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Ford Pickup, 2003 Ford F550 Super Duty, 2003 Ford F450 Super Duty, 2003 Ford Excursion, and 2003 Ford Cab & Chassis. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
Brakes pull or drift	Tire air pressure. Wheel alignment. Brake pads. Brake components. Suspension component.	GO to PINPOINT TEST A: BRAKES PULL OR DRIFT .
Red brake warning indicator always on	Parking brake not released.	RELEASE the parking brake.
	Low brake fluid level.	FILL the brake master cylinder reservoir.
	Instrument cluster. Circuit. Parking brake switch. Brake fluid level switch.	GO to PINPOINT TEST B: RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ALWAYS ON .
Vibration when brakes are applied	Disc brakes. Drum brakes.	REFER to NOISE, VIBRATION AND HARSHNESS .
Brake pedal goes down fast	Brake fluid level.	FILL the brake master cylinder reservoir. BLEED the system. REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
	Air in system.	BLEED the system. REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
	Brake master cylinder.	CARRY OUT the BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER component test.
The pedal eases down slowly	Air in system.	BLEED the system. REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
The pedal eases down slowly	Brake master cylinder.	CARRY OUT the BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER component test.
Brakes lock up during light brake pedal force	Disc brake component. Parking brake component. Anti-lock brake control system.	GO to PINPOINT TEST C: BRAKES LOCK UP DURING LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL FORCE .
Excessive/erratic brake pedal travel	Leak in hydraulic system. Air in system. Disc brake caliper. Brake booster-to-brake master cylinder push rod adjustment. Brake master cylinder.	GO to PINPOINT TEST D: EXCESSIVE/ERRATIC BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL .
Excessive/erratic brake pedal travel	Contaminated brake fluid.	BLEED the system. BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
Brakes drag	Parking brake component.	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to PARKING BRAKE & ACTUATION .
	Disc brake caliper.	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to DISC - EXCURSION, F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP .
	Brake booster-to-brake master cylinder push rod adjustment.	ADJUST the push rod. REFER to POWER BRAKE ACTUATION .
	Brake master cylinder.	CARRY OUT the BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER component test.
	Contaminated brake fluid.	BLEED the system. BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
Excessive brake pedal effort	Power brake booster.	CARRY OUT the BRAKE BOOSTER component test.
	Power brake booster check valve (2365).	CARRY OUT the CHECK VALVE component test.
	Vacuum or hydraulic booster hose.	REROUTE, REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary.
Red brake warning indicator inoperative	Circuit. Bulb.	REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER .
Brake noise	Disc brake component.	MACHINE or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to DISC - EXCURSION, F250-F550 SUPER DUTY PICKUP .