2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Brake light on and Cruise Control stops

[DKupfrian]

My brake light recently came on and I noticed at the same time my cruise control no longer works. A day or two later I noticed the light went out and cruise control was working again.



I'm thinking it may be a vacuum leak somewhere. I don't know where to look on this motor or how to test. On my old gassers I would spray a little started fluid in suspected leak areas. If the motor started to race, I knew there was a vacuum leak there. I don't think this is a valid way to test a diesel.



Anyone know where I should start my search? Am I on the right track?

 

[KenHokie]

I had a similiar thing happen to me this past winter. I spun the wheels while on ice and the brake and ABS lights came on and the cruise wouldn't engage. The brake and ABS lights cleared on the next start but the cruise took several starts to begin working again. It appears that the ABS computer can get confused if the wheels get spun and this sets some sort of "safety" mechanism that won't let the cruise work. Also, you don't say what year your truck is but most 2nd gen trucks use the power steering system to provide brake boost instead of vacuum. Howerver, vacuum is used to run the cruise solenoid.

 

[DKupfrian]

Thanks for the reply. It's a year 2000. My ABS light doesn't come on but I could still see the computer shutting down the CC if the brake light is on. I thought it might be a vacuum leak... I guess I should start with the brakes I had replace not to long ago.

 

[MDale]

Have you checked the brake fluid level?

 

[DOverton]

It sounds very much like the brake light switch on the brake pedal is out of adjustment or went bad all together. The brake light switch also triggers the cruise control to shut off when the brake is applied.



Dallas

 

[DKupfrian]

Fluid level is good. That was the first thing I checked. I'll check the switch tonight on the e-brake.



Thanks for the ideas.

 

[crabman]

DK,

The c/c will disengage when the brakes are applied/activated by the brake light switch.

The brake lights should only come on when the brake pedel is depressed. I vote for the brake switch being out of adjustment or bad.

crabman

 

[DKupfrian]

Well I brought it to a friends Mienike(SP?) and he replaced the front rotors and pads. The rotors measured just 8 thousands below where they should not be turned. Since he could get them cheap I had him replace them. He adjusted the rears. The brakes feel better but the light was still on. The fluid level is correct. He pulled the e-brake wire off and the light stayed on. He grounded the wire and it stayed on. We cycled the key and got no P codes. He had a SnapOn code scanner and said it has no C codes.



Please don't let me down and have to bring this to a dealer.



What can cause the brake light to come on but not the ABS. The cruise control quit at the same time. Also in case it matters I do have 4 wheel ABS.

 

[Timinator]

Check out the brake light switch below the service brake pedal.

Not the e-brake cable.

The CC depends on that service brake switch operating properly.

Re-read the earlier posts. No one said e-brake cable/switch.

 

[DKupfrian]

I didn't realize there was a switch there. I'll look into that. Thanks

 

[JL penner]

My brake light comes on if I go through a lot of water and mud. Shuts off a few minutes after getting back on solid ground.

 

[AKAMAC]

It is the clock spring in the steering wheel. There was a re-call for it on 2000-2001 trucks. This applies if the brake light is ABS. Mike