Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Why is my 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 doing this?

I've got about 70k miles on it. I recently had the rotors changed and am getting the timing belt changed tomorrow due to 1 rib of the belt breaking off (which, btw, it has still allowed me to drive 600 miles in 1 week since breaking because the rest is still intact) I've noticed that upon acceleration from a stop that no matter how hard or soft I press on the gas, my E-brake light will come on for just a few seconds. It started after the rotor change (a long while after) and before the timing belt broke, but before, it would only do it sometimes. Since the timing belt incident, it does it on every from-stop acceleration, and even occasionally as I am turning a corner. Could it be because of the timing belt, or is it something different? I do my own routine maintenance such as oil changes, fluid changes and other minor things, but, this car was bought used and I have added over 30k miles in 8 months. Any other suggestions on keeping my manual-tranny girl running smoothly?Why is my 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 doing this?
do not need to replace the pulleys. never heard of doing that, even on a second or third Timing belt. unless there was some type of problem with them. At 70k, that is about the right time for a timing belt. The Brake light is usually both for the E-brake and for the Brakes in general. It sounds like what you may have is low fluid in the master cylinder, and on turns and acell the remaining fluid is moving to uncover the contacts. check your brake fluid level, it should be at the full mark on the side of the M/C (outside molded into the plastic if the resivour). Just change the belt, unless the Mech can show you as to why it needs new sprockets.