I have a 1994 Ranger and since I've purchased it back in February the ABS light and the red brake light that usually illuminates when the parking brake is engaged stays on 24/7. I've tried to do research on it, but everybody says different things, so I wanted some opinions from Ranger professionals. I recently changed the brake booster AND master cylinder, as well as topped it off with brake fluid, so that shouldn't be an issue unless the lights would need to be reset. Also, I've read in multiple places that the e-brake light may shut off when the e-brake is shaken, but that's not the case for my vehicle, and when the e-brake is released the light dims very slightly. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

System is pretty simple not sure why all the conflicting info is out there

Look at the back of Parking brake pedal, you will see a 2 wire connector, unplug it, that's the Ground for the Parking brakes Red light, its switch grounds it when pedal is pushed down even a little
Turn on the key, is the red light off, if so then replace or adjust that switch on the pedal assembly

Picture of parking brake pedal here: https://f01.justanswer.com/apjp02/24...+full+view.JPG
Grey mark is the switch, it can also just have ONE wire, samething, unplug it

If that's not it, leave park brake switch unplugged
The brake master cylinder also has a 2 wire connector, unplug it, turn on key, see if Red light is now off, if so replace switch, its also a ground switch

If either of these switches wires were grounded somewhere that would ALSO cause the Red light to come on with key on
You would use an OHM Meter to test if a wire from either switch to dash was grounded

ABS light will come on if you try to drive with Red Brake light on
So once you solve the Red light mystery ABS light will go off

 

Thank you for your response. I'll try both of those things and see if they do the trick, should be tonight or tomorrow, but I'll 100% let you know. Also, I probably should've mentioned that the parking brake barely works, I've caught myself driving with it on way too many times, if that helps with anything at all. Once again, I'll send an update once I've done some experimenting with the plugs.

 

If Parking brake doesn't work well then the spring under the cab may not be pulling the pedal UP all the way when you release it, see if the pedal can be pulled up a little more, that may OPEN the switch and unground the Red Bulb

 

Alright, so I went out there today and got around to pulling the plug on the parking brake. Did it, turned the battery on, light was still on. Was gonna try the master cylinder plug but I had to leave, so I plugged the parking brake cable back in and left. Came back home today, hopped in my truck and wouldn't you know it, no more big scary red brake light. When I push down my parking brake, light comes on. I release it, light goes off, as it should. Thank you for recommending I try that. Now the ABS light is still very much on, any suggestions lol?

 

ABS light is on for another reason
Does the ABS light come on with key on(bulb test) and then go off?

Or does it stay on all the time?

Or do you have to drive a mile or so before it comes on?

 

ABS light stays on all the time, from the moment I start it up and take off to the moment I park it and turn it off.

 

1994 have rear ABS only, RABS

Not much to the system
Rear axle Sensor, 2 wires, unplug it look at the connector, plug it back in, that cleans the contacts/wire ends

In the engine bay, driver's side, look down near the firewall in the frame rail, follow the front brake line from the Master
That's the ABS Valve, has 3 wire connector, unplug it, plug it back in

ABS Control module, in the cab usually above gas pedal on firewall, one connector 6 to 10 wires, these rarely fail

Rear axle sensor can be replaced, not an uncommon failure
ABS valve can be rebuilt, can be hard to find replacement

 

I'll be sure to check all that out when I get some free time on my hands, I'm sure one of those things are bound to fix my issue lol. Also, would it be possible that the rear brakes themselves could be causing the light to pop up? The guy I bought it from said they were shot, haven't really checked them out because the truck stops just as good as I need it too.

 

No, brake shoe condition wouldn't matter

 

9/5/22: Red brake light came back on while hauling gravel not too long ago. Found an ABS diagnostic sheet on a forum and today I went out and did a ABS diagnostic trick I found on YouTube where you unplug the two connectors by the fuse box, then ground the spade plug while in acc. and the ABS light starts flashing, giving you your code. I got a code 4 which appears to be "RABS Valve Switch Closed or Open Dump Valve", according to the sheet I've attached below, and it also says "Red Brake Warning Light Illuminated", so I believe we've found our culprit. What does this mean and how do I go about getting it fixed? Thank you in advance.