Master Cylinder?

[truckguy94]

I think my master cylinder failed but I will ask anyway....ABS light flashing and no pedal pressure...no real loss of fluid...pedal was going down about 1/2 way yesterday, but brakes would work ok...this morning, pressure was up, drove home maybe 120 miles, and then pedal was soft again when I went out for some errands...just went in for a few groceries, came out, and the above ABS light was flashing...no pedal pressure so it would not shift out of park...was towed to the garage...tow driver thought he smelled a slight smell of rubber burning...master cylinder?

Is that an expensive repair?...have to wait til Tuesday anyway as it is the holiday weekend...lol... at least it did not fail when I was out in the boonies yesterday; some things that seem bad are not always that bad

Bill

[shelbyx1]

when you say no real loss of fluid,how much?the burning smell you noticed could be the rear wheel cylinders leaking onto the brake shoes.

[truckguy94]

loss of fluid, less than an ounce I am guessing....we just replaced all the rear lines and wheel cylinders in February, but we had changed one of the wheel cylinders in May of last year (different garage)

[Henry Ford]

if its bad enough you may be able to see it on the plate behind rear wheel, some leakage. usually brakes are minor, usually very simply to change a master cylinder, used from wrecker is usually sufficient.
wouldnt be surprised if it was the rear wheel cylinder even if you had recent work done. I changed my calipers couple times in the last three years, almost as often as i changed the pads, I asked about it at partsource where I bought the parts, they said it was unusual but could just be the city driving. was thinking of actually getting genuine Ford parts for the pain in the butt I had with the rebuilt calipers.

[truckguy94]

well, the truck gets only city driving in the November to April period, so you may be on to something...I should here back today as to what the problem is...

[truckguy94]

the shop told me that they have to replace some wiring on the master cylinder that had melted, and continue diagnosing from there..

[shelbyx1]

has your truck had the recall for the brake press switch done,your symtoms sound like a leaking switch.

[kidd]

Not having the recall done would explain the burned wiring, but the loss of pedal, I would think might be a one of the "O" rings in the Master Cylinder leaking.

[truckguy94]

it turns out it was that brake switch just mentioned...they called the local Ford dealer for the parts and the service guy told my repair shop all about it being a common problem in the 90's....master cylinder was ok, they said; I probably just hit the pedal a bit hard when I saw the lights flashing on the dash...lol...they installed the brake kit, cleaned up the sensor, added a few connectors, added a new fuse, and all is well again...