My daughters 2004 Escape v6 4WD started yesterday having the brake light on the dash on, its on very dimly.
I've search around on the internet and haven't really found anything. Its not the emergency brake, verified
the emergency brake with digital meter that switch breaks continuity when its released. Brake fluid is at max mark on master cylinder.
I've tried disconnecting the brake fluid level sensor at the master cylinder but light still on, check brake fluid sensor with
digital meter and no continuity, so I assume means it not stuck. Now the wires that plug into fluid level sensor show continuity
even when they are not plugged into the fluid level sensor, should they?
It drives and brake normal, no issues. Not sure what else to check. Is it safe for her to keep driving it?

Thanks

 

Brake hydraulic systems have a valve that if a line/component springs a leak that light will come on to notify the diver something is not right. Until the actual cause is determined, it is not wise to drive the vehicle. After all it is a warning light !
Depending on where you reside or where the vehicle has been driven, exposure to road salt etc., there could be a hydraulic leak due to corrosion. Common problem in areas where road salt is used. If that is the problem, eventually there will be almost a complete loss of brake performance. Very scary, especially for a woman.

 

Shouldn't the brake light be on bright if its brake failure, not very dim that its hard to see during the day? Light comes on bright if you put emergency brake on.
There been no loss of brake fluid, as the master cylinder is still full. Brake normal, no softness in the pedal when braking.

 

OK.
Usually when we get an indication of a light coming on when it is not supposed to and it is on dimly , that I believe tells us there is an unintended path to ground.
I believe the circuits for that lamp all go to the instrument cluster. There may be a wire that is supposed to be for a ground connection that might not have a good connection and might be using the light for a partial ground..
Some vehicles used relays to transmit the ground made by the pkg and brake fluid level switches that caused the lamp to illuminate.
Without a diagram to tell us which one or it's location, you might try removing some relays one at a time and see if one of them allows the lamp to go out.
Possibly someone with access to a wiring diagram would be better able to help out with this.

 

Thanks Hanky, that makes sense. I found wiring diagram for the vehicle, going to check all the common grounding points first and make sure none
have come loose. Because weather, I won't probably have time to look at it again till next weekend, I will update when I found out what it is.