Brake warning light

[HOWDY69]

Apparently my truck has a brake warning light and I am the last to know. When my engine was installed they reconnected the wire and now the light will not go off. The brakes seem to work OK. I assume I should do something about this. What exactly is the light trying to warn me about? I have 4 wheel drum brakes no power just my leg.

My Chiltons manual is next to worthless. I promise I will order a real manual.

[FORDification]

It's telling you that the valve in your brake distribution block needs to be recentered. Here's some info:

http://fordification.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2214

[fordman]

whhen the light comes on it suppose to mean low fuild on the valve. check the fuild first then check thier work to see that they didn't bump a line and make it leak or shake some wires loose. maybe they hit the wires on the distribution block under the cab.

[ToughOldFord]

Mine has two, one is to tell you that your e-brake is one the other is to warn you of low brake pressure. The latter one is hooked up at the junction block by the frame on the L/S under the booster. If your pressure is good then the sensor is probably bad.
Now, the real question is with that kick-butt engine you have now why are you using your brakes in the first place?

[HOWDY69]

I have to use my brakes because I have not put the spare tire back on the front yet.

I did notice with the added compression the engine does provide some braking when I take my foot off of the throttle. Kind of an unexpected benefit of 9.6 to 1 compression and a longer stroke.

[HOWDY69]

It's telling you that the valve in your brake distribution block needs to be recentered. Here's some info:

So I just bleed a front wheel and if that doesn't shut the light off I try bleeding the rear?

[fordman]

when bleeding brakes always start at the furthest point from the master cylinder. rear passenger rear drivers front passenger and then front drivers

[HOWDY69]

I understand that is the normal way but what if you are just trying to get the valve to center?

[fordman]

i've never messed with the valve. my light went out on its own after driving it a few days i stopped seeing it. i think someone gave some instructions on how to do it a few weeks ago. here in the brakes forum.

[HOWDY69]

Alright. I will try to follow the instructions this evening.

[ToughOldFord]

Somewhere in my trucks long past someone "fixed" my light by pulling the wire.

[HOWDY69]

I think that is what happened to me. But does that mean only half my system is working?

[fordman]

it means that the whole system is working but needs to be checked before it goes bad. its a service engine type of light.

[HOWDY69]

Here's an update.

I bled the rear brakes 5 pumps each. Fluid was brown but no air. Light would still not go off.

Bled front right 15 pumps. Fluid was color of wesson oil but a little milky with tiny air bubbles. Peddle would go down further when bleeding front than rear.

Now the fun part. The bleeder on the left front was barfed. I could not get the box on it and the open end was loose. Tried a 9mm but it was too small. Hit it with WD 40 and called it a night. I guess I will file it to a snug 9mm and try again in the morning.

Any help or ideas would be appreciated. Light still will not go off. If the problem is in the front it may not go off until I bleed the other front and then the rear.

Once it is working I will go back and empty the master then bleed everything to clear.

Do You use dot 3 or 4?

[HOWDY69]

Update

Got the left front bleeder to move. Bled the front and still red light would not go off.

Bled right rear until clear. Light still on.

Bled left rear clear. Light still on.

Bled right front 3 pumps light still on.

Bled left front one pump and heard a big pop. LIGHT WENT OFF.

Drove truck to dead end street. Backed up and stopped three times. Drove forward at about 20 and put on brakes. Truck stopped straight. Did it again with no hands and truck stopped dead straight. Once more with a little speed and locked up brakes. Still stopped straight.

Now I can go AND stop.