"Check Brake System" error after flat towing.

[Stic-o]

We're about to embark on a cross country trip and we're flat towing the Ranger behind our Class C. We did our first test run and everything works out so far. But after just towing around the block, when getting back in the Ranger, I get a Check Brake System warning and light. It goes away after starting. Is this just because my supplement braking system is doing all the work when the truck is off? Thoughts?

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[Frenchy]

Sounds like a first with this in particular. I know other.major issues have been reported. Any insight you can offer @P. A. Schilke ?

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Sounds like a first with this in particular. I know other.major issues have been reported. Any insight you can offer @P. A. Schilke ?

Hi Chris,

I have no direct idea of why this would occur. Was the parking brake fully off? Was the transmission left in neutral and not park, which results in a trans full of hot burned to a crisp internal parts? Was the supplemental brake applying too much too soon? Did the supplemental brake system install go correctly unlike several cases where the installers did not understand the system?

All I can say is that something is wrong and needs correction before a cross country trek...

Best,
Phil

 

[Stic-o]

Parking brake is off, truck is in neutral, truck acknowledges it's in tow mode. Supplemental brake system just sences inertia and brakes with the brake pedal. There really isn't much "install" but placing it on the floor and attaching to the brake pedal. ? I can adjust the sensitivity and if it changes anything, but I doubt it.

 

[Frenchy]

Parking brake is off, truck is in neutral, truck acknowledges it's in tow mode. Supplemental brake system just sences inertia and brakes with the brake pedal. There really isn't much "install" but placing it on the floor and attaching to the brake pedal. ? I can adjust the sensitivity and if it changes anything, but I doubt it.

Not sure when the trip is but as Phil mentioned I would recommend getting it checked out by your local dealer first. Better safe than sorry

 

[Stic-o]

There is. nothing to show them. Light went right back off on start up and no history of the error showing in forscan. ? Truck drives fine after.

Doing some research, it sounds like the Bronco guys were having this same issue. Has to do with the lack of vacuum in the power brakes is tripping up the computer. Nothing to worry about, but there is a OTA update for the ECU, to get it to stop happening.

 

[airline tech]

I have seen that message generated by another poster, who inadvertently left the truck in ASSY, be very careful when following the owner's manual -How To, I truly believe steps 9 and 10 are backwards, I do not flat tow but highly question the wording and steps on that How-To. I would hate to see another Tranny, trashed during Flat Towing, it happens often, and the question is why?

Ref: My previous post on this subject
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/thre...r-bumper-to-bumper-warranty.20379/post-580559

 

[Stic-o]

Just wanted to give a update to this. Flat towed the Ranger 1500 miles from LA to Dallas with no issues.

 

[Davidjc]

I flat towed my 21 lariat 4x4 fir the first time 3 weeks ago. Behind a v10 ford class c motorhome. Ilfrom north Louito Branson, MO. A out 900 miles round trip. Setup gets easier with each tow but does take some concentration. If you get interrupted during setup, start over.
The ranger was noticeably heavier, in the Ozarks, than the jeep liberty we pulled all over the US. But we managed.

 

[Stic-o]

Towing over Monarch Pass....kinda sucked with the weight, But RV still made it.

 

[JesseS]

Parking brake is off, truck is in neutral, truck acknowledges it's in tow mode. Supplemental brake system just sences inertia and brakes with the brake pedal. There really isn't much "install" but placing it on the floor and attaching to the brake pedal. ? I can adjust the sensitivity and if it changes anything, but I doubt it.

So, this happened to me the 1st time I flat towed, I dropped the vac pump pressure a bit and it has never happened again. I had sat it by doing the parking lot test with cones at 70 psi, but had to back it down to get rid of the warning. Not sure why as the stopping distance was the same with and without the toad (which is what you want)

 

[Davidjc]

Towing over Monarch Pass....kinda sucked with the weight, But RV still made it.

My setup is similar with forester.

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