when i start car up abs warning light and brake warning lights are on , and pedal hardly moves , massive effort to get car slowed down . however enroute to garage to get it checked i had only driven 100yards and lights went out and brakes worked perfect , then arrived at garage said that car was ok , had a bit chat with the lads until closing up for the day , started car and problems back . now when stopping and idling for maybe 20 secs lights come etc . what the f**K?? any body got any suggestions?
the chaps at garage checked the connections with multimeter at the 3 plugs around master cylinder area , they were all getting power etc even when fault still there.
( i should add that the cars been off road for winter for 4 months)

 

Sounds like a wiring problem, trying moving the wires on the cap to see if they are loose etc. Worth ago.

 

I would say that the pressure isn't building up suffieciently/quick enough in the can (round black ball on top of master cylinder). The lights only go out once pressure is established. Hence the hard pedal, the ABS wasn't working. If you was to disconnect the wiring from the same area, you would expience the same hard pedal.

Failing that, the Escort is prone to damp getting on th fuses inside Left boot side panel where they are housed, clean them all up. That had me baffled for about a year.

good luck