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Brake pedal assembly issue or BCM


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Firstly, thanks for the forum and all the time y'all put into a great resource.

 

I'm working on a 2014 Journey, owner has an issue with ABS/TC warning coming on intermittently. In working on it, I noticed that sometimes the brake lights weren't shutting off.

 

I replaced the brake light switch, and it still shows same behavior. There's a plastic bit that goes off from the brake pedal to move the brake light switch - in thinking it might not be moving the switch far enough, I used some vacuum line to up the diameter a bit/move switch further, but still same behavior.

 

That plastic piece seems weak to me, and I wonder if the BCM or whichever module isn't able to find a good baseline reading for on/off pedal.. Anyone had a similar issue out there?

 

I ordered a new pedal assembly. (plastic bit is unavailable apparently) Is there any other ideas of things I might try before that shows up?

 

He had this happen before. At the time, his battery was reading 12.5 sitting, replaced the battery and it went away for near 2 years. It sits around 12.8 on the new one. Are these *real* finnicky when it comes to that? Alternator is working fine and the issue occurs while running..

 

Thanks for your time, and I appreciate any suggestions

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Not to "dis" on you, but it sounds more like a not properly adjusted brake light switch and they did have an issue with this a few years ago. Of the 3 Journeys I have, none have exhibited such a light problem. HOWEVER on a different "venue", there could be broken wires in the rubber boot between the rear hatch and body causing a short that may keep the brake lights activated. More commonly though those with broken wires just have those corresponding lights not function....always the possibility of wires shorting together all the same.

More common of ABS/trac control being a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor.

 

You do have a bit of an "oddball" problem , good luck and let us know how you make out with it.

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No worries. I'm a general mechanic - no great knowledge on particular models, always open to learning more.

 

To be a bit more clear, while it's referred to as a brake light switch, it seems to function more as a pedal position sensor on this. (Has an arm that sweeps as the pedal is depressed.) No physical adjustment as far as I can tell - keyed to mount one way, no adjustable plate on the sensor. I would think the BCM just calibrates the highest position it's seen and calls that 'off.' I may try the dealership and see if they can do a 'relearn' on it but it's weird that it would work ~95% of the time with 2 different sensors, one being stock.

 

Now that I'm thinking of it, I was also wondering there should be a return spring at the pedal assembly. No photos I've found show one, but it seems like there should be one.

 

Thanks for the wiring idea. Reasonably sure it's not at the hatch, since I can pull the pedal up and shut them off every time, sitting still, car off. But, maybe somewhere just up from the pedal..

 

On the wheel speed sensors.. Yes, that's very common, but I'm not getting error codes for any. I don't have the one number handy, but the codes were for brake pedal position sensor and P1C4E: 'Fault In ABS/ESP Module'. Could easily be 2 separate issues too though.

 

Will definitely post when I get it resolved. Thanks again.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Took forever to get a pedal assembly with the UAW strike. Been a few days since I got it installed, no complaints yet; seems to have solved my particular issue.

 

Aside, someone with a 3d printer could make a few pennies fabricating that plastic bit. It's a weak point and likely will be in demand as these vehicles get older. Pedal assembly isn't cheap for getting just that piece..

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Good to hear that you got it "sorted out" with a pedal assembly. Sure seems like a "fluke" failure as my 3 Journeys have not encountered this problem and all are '14 and older with above 150K miles. But yes if the parts associated with the brake light switch are worn, then it can never consistently do it's job correctly.

  Nice find and fix to your problem! Keep in touch with us here.  :hat_tip:

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