Brake question?

Ghuds

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The brake warning light just started coming on intermittently in my 83 F250 6.9.
It’s off until you hit the brakes, then it comes on (sometimes), and the pedal is soft. If I hit it again, the light goes off and the pedal is stiffer. The truck was working fine until a couple days ago. The fluid level is normal and there’s no leaks. Any suggestions on the cause? Vac pump, proportioning valve, master cylinder?
Thanks!
 

chillman88

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My first guess would be vacuum pump getting weak. When you press the pedal it reduces the vacuum in the system, with a weak pump it takes a minute for it to build again. I'd hook up a gauge and watch vacuum levels.
 

Scotty4

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My booster is shot on mine and only builds around 5" but still stops great. Brake light comes on randomly. I think they call it a dual brake indicator or the drawings because the parking brake triggers it too. So if your vac pump is solid, you've tested the system and have good vacuum at all components, I would then check the low vac switch on the passenger side fender and then the parking brake switch circuit as a last resort
 

Ghuds

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Checked the vac level and it is fine. Have the same reading at the pump and at the booster. Check valve is fine too. Not sure where the low vac switch is.
 

dan-o

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Similar observation on my '89. When the engine is cold, no boost to the power brakes. After a bit the brakes act fine. I'll check the vacuum pump, hoses. What should the vacuum pressure be?
 

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