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Start with the easy stuff Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Anti lock or Brake Fluid light occasionally light up??, Paul H, Thu, 1 Dec 2005 22:16:54 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
First, how are the fluid levels? After the car has been sitting overnight, the level in the reservoir should be well ABOVE the FULL line. Start the car; you'll hear the ABS pump run, and the level will drop. Once the about half-way down, the Brake Fluid light will go out, then the ABS light. After the pump stops, the level should be at the FULL line. If it's low, add fluid at this point. If you've been checking the level when the car has been off, that's a problem.
Next step is with the engine running, get in and press the brake pedal hard and fast - pedal stomps. Count how many pedal stomps it takes before the ABS and Brake Fluid lights come on. If it's over 10, the accumulator is OK. If it's 5-10, the accumulator is on the way out; less than 5, and the accumulator is shot. The accumulator is the black metal sphere sitting on top of the master cylinder.
If you haven't flushed the brake fluid in the past 2-3 years, it's a good idea. Brake fluid should be flushed that often to remove water and gunk. If it has been a very long time, that can contribute to strange behaviour. And it also corrodes very expensive parts.
A brake fluid light coming on all by itself indicates low brake fluid level. An ABS light coming on by itself indicates the ABS is detecting a fault in the system. Most faults that light an ABS light keep it lit until the car is restarted and the self-test clears it (if the fault has gone away). I'd have to see what ABS faults clear immediately. But the most likely reason for an ABS light would be a bad connection or a flaky sensor.
Getting an ABS light at the same time as a Brake Fluid light indicates a low ABS pressure situation. That can be a bad accumulator or ABS pump problem.
Just an ABS light on means the ABS isn't working. The good news is that the brakes will work just fine, they just won't have ABS. It will be just like cars used to be. A Brake Fluid light means low fluid, which if it gets low enough, can cause braking problems. If both lights come on, the ABS pressure is low - that pressure is used for brake boost - loss of that will make the pedal hard, and greatly increase braking distances.
I'd make sure the level is right, and the fluid has been flushed.
posted by 192.249....
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