Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 Mercury Marauder, 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis, and 2003 Ford Crown Victoria. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

SYMPTOM CHART

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
The brakes pull or drift	Tire air pressure. Wheel alignment. Brake pads. Brake components. Suspension components.	GO to PINPOINT TEST A: THE BRAKES PULL OR DRIFT .
The red brake warning indicator is always on	Instrument cluster. Circuit. Parking brake switch.	GO to PINPOINT TEST B: THE RED BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR IS ALWAYS ON . ABS failure.
Brake fluid level.		CHECK brake fluid reservoir. Reservoir float.
Vibration when brakes are applied	Rear brake discs. Front brake discs.	GO to PINPOINT TEST E: VIBRATION WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED .
Brake pedal goes down fast	Brake fluid level. Brake master cylinder.	BLEED the system. CARRY OUT the Brake Master Cylinder - Normal Conditions component test.
Air in system.		FILL the brake master cylinder reservoir. BLEED the system.
The brake pedal eases down slowly	Air in system.	BLEED the system. REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING .
Brake master cylinder.		CARRY OUT the Brake Master Cylinder - Normal Conditions component test.
Brake lockup during light brake pedal force	Disc brake component. Parking brake component. Anti-lock brake control system.	GO to PINPOINT TEST C: BRAKE LOCKUP UNDER LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL FORCE .
Brakes drag	Parking brake component.	REPAIR or INSTALL new components as necessary. REFER to PARKING BRAKE & ACTUATION .
Disc brake caliper.		REPAIR or INSTALL a new component as necessary. REFER to DISC .
Brake booster-to-brake master cylinder push rod adjustment.		ADJUST the push rod. REFER to POWER BRAKE ACTUATION .
Brake master cylinder.		CARRY OUT the brake master cylinder component test.
Excessive brake pedal effort	Power brake booster.	CARRY OUT the check valve component test.
Power brake booster check valve (2365).		CARRY OUT the brake booster component test.
Power brake booster hose.		REROUTE, REPAIR or INSTALL a new component as necessary.
Red brake warning indicator inoperative	Circuit. Bulb.	REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER-CONVENTIONAL , INSTRUMENT CLUSTER-ELECTRONIC and INSTRUMENT CLUSTER & NATURAL GAS VEHICLE .
Brake noise	Disc brake component.	MACHINE or INSTALL a new component as necessary. REFER to DISC .
Adjustable brake pedal inoperative	Switch. Circuit. Motor. Cable. Obstructions.	GO to PINPOINT TEST D: ADJUSTABLE BRAKE PEDAL INOPERATIVE .