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Re: ABS revisited..could this be caused
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Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Thu, 2 Aug 2001 09:19:32 Share Post by Email
In Reply to: ABS revisited..could this be caused, Kevin O, Thu, 2 Aug 2001 08:54:03
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Getting BOTH the ABS and Level Light at the same time means that the ABS pressure is low. The ABS pump runs occasionally to keep the pressure up to 'normal'. If it drops well below normal, the ABS and Level Lights both come on. Now, this can be due to the pressure being low, or the pressure switch being flaky.

First off, I assume the brake fluid level is correct. It should be at the "Full with charged accumulator" line when the car has been started and is running. If the car has been sitting for a while, the level should be ABOVE the Full line. The level should never be below the Full line. The procedure for checking the level is to start the car and wait for the ABS pump to cycle off - Add fluid if necessary to get to the line. A little over is OK, but not a lot over. Sorry if this is basic, but I've got to cover it.

I have seen problems where the ABS pump stops running when it gets very hot. This can occur on very hot days in stop and go traffic. There is very little airflow in the engine compartment, AND the pump is running a lot to make pressure for all those stops. The pump will stop, and you'll get the lights. You still get brake boost, because you have a good 5 to 10 stops left in the system after the lights come on. Once the ABS pump cools down, it's fine.

You can usually hear the ABS pump running if the car is idling. Listen for that hum/buzz. Let the car idle, and hit the brake pedal 5 or 10 times. You'll hear the ABS pump run. Listen for it, and listen for it stopping. Then just sit there and let it idle. Wait 5 minutes or so. Do you hear the pump run again without you hitting the brakes? If you do, that means the ABS system is loosing pressure too quickly - this could be due to a leaky master cylinder power assist. This would cause the ABS pump to essentially have to run all the time, and it may not be able to make up enough pressure to keep the lights off during normal braking.

The pressure switch contacts that light the lights are different than those that run the ABS pump. Here's a way to check - Make sure the brake fluid level is correct as mentioned above. Then hit the brakes to make the ABS and Brake Fluid lights come on (yeah, this could be tough to duplicate) - quickly hop out and check the fluid level in the reservoir. If the level is near the Full line, then the problem is in the pressure switch or the wiring between it and the lights. If the level is well above the line (near where it would be if the car had been sitting for a few hours), then that indicates that the pump hasn't been running.

As to your question - yes, air in the system will make it much harder for the system to pressurize, and could easily cause these problems. You bled the system once. Unless you drained the reservoir all the way down, you shouldn't have added any air to the system. But bleeding the system again is a worthy thing to try.

Good luck!
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