The two warning lights for ABS and traction control come on after the parking brake has been released (not every time, i.e. intermittent; but more often than not). If the warning lights are on and I shut the truck off and back on again without using the parking brake, the warning lights stay off. If the warning lights are on and I shut the truck off and back on again using the park brake, the warning lights come on. Or not; again, intermittent.

I don't notice any difference driving with the warning lights on, so I'm thinking it may be a false alert.

So how are the parking brake and ABS/traction control connected? And only intermittently?

2011 Ranger Sport extended cab 2 wheel drive

 

The parking brakes are mechanical and drum brakes right?

What I'd try first is removing the drums and cleaning everything really well. Maybe take the pads off, clean, and grease the moving parts with the proper grease.

 

Hi and thanks for the response. The rear brakes are discs with drum e-brakes. They were rebuilt recently, including the E-brake pads. My problem started prior to that...

 

See if you can lift the Parking brake pedal up a bit with your foot after releasing it
There is a switch on the parking brake pedal that needs to be Grounded so "ABS and traction modules" knows the Parking brake is off

 

Thank you for your response. I tried that and no difference. I couldn't get it to move at all and the lights stayed on. The position of the pedal doesn't seem to make any difference, only shutting the ignition off and then back on again...

 

There should be a Parking brake light, is that working like it should?
Comes on if Parking brake pedal is down, goes off when pedal is up

When ABS/Traction "think" parking brake is on they will be disabled, so warning lights

The switch that does this is on the Parking brake pedal, it also activates the Dash Brake Light

Thats the only common link I can think of

Brake fluid level is also monitored, and that sensor can have problems
Look on the Master and you will see a 2 wire plug in, unplug it and make sure connections are clean and dry

 

Sorry for the long delay in response, holiday season and all...

So I tried to pull off the sensor on the brake fluid master to check it, but I couldn't for the life of me figure out how to get it off. How??