PCM thinks brake lights are on when they aren't...

RattlinFord

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I posted a while back about a shifting issue on my early 99 and Mark Kovalsky pointed me in the right direction and today a scanner confirmed it...the PCM thinks the brakes are on all the time. I replaced the brake light switch (has a code for it, it was cheap) but the problem persists. I disconnected my electric trailer brake controller, but it didn't change anything. I'm not real sure what else to do short of tracing wires...anyone else know what commonly causes this issue? Brake lights are NOT stuck on, they work normal...but the computer thinks they are on all the time...I need ideas guys, I'm stumped!
 

RattlinFord

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Ok, today I dove into the problem...and I'm baffled. I pulled all brake light bulbs, unhooked the brake light switch, inspected pigtail, pulled each relay/fuse individually and it STILL shows the brakes being on. I'm kinda wondering if there's a stuck switch in the PCM. Also inspected the cruise control deactivation switch wiring...just on a hunch. I really need to fix this junk.
 

cleatus12r

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I'm not going to diagnose your issue, but here are a couple other things to consider:

Which brake switch input are you looking at? There are two. A brake pressure switch input and the regular brake on/off switch input.

The brake pressure input to the PCM needs to be hooked up. This is a normally closed sensor on the front of the master cylinder. An open circuit will cause the input data to show that the brake pressure is high (like the pedal is depressed).

As far as the brake pedal position switch (Brake On/Off) is concerned, what do other modules "say"? The ABS module uses the same input as well as the GEM. The PCM needs to see ground when the brake pedal is at rest and the switch is in the "not applied" position. An open or 12v will cause the PCM to think the brake pedal is depressed.


Things to try (in accordance with which switch input is having the problem):

Disconnect pin 92 from the PCM. This is the brake pedal switch input. Use a test light to determine if you have voltage there. If you don't, use an ohm meter to check for continuity to ground (brake not applied, of course). If you have any spare EEC-V harness terminals, you can plug one into cavity 92 and ground the end of the wire. Check the data and see what it says at that point.

If the pressure switch input is the problem, short the two wires together that go to the brake pressure switch using a paper clip or something to bypass the switch. I just thought of something....if you have the Ford recall done that fuses the brake pressure switch and it happens to go open, the pressure switch input will be "on" all of the time too.
 
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RattlinFord

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Thanks cleatus! I've been referring to the switch at the pedal. I didn't know another existed, thank you! Mine does have the recall done with the fuse. Thank you for pointing me in the right direction, I've got some troubleshooting to do!!!
 

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