karenl1234

Hi I was suprised on my way to work this am my brakes worked and then nada! Pedal went to the floor! but I was able to stop at the bottom of the hill thank God! I went on and then same thing mushy gave way to nada brakes so went back home. The ABS warning light was on as well as the brake light.
There are no leaks, and the ABS unit has no damage and changed out the fues, the emergency brake was not on while I was driving. Last year had the front hubs and brakes replaced ouch! the hub units are expensive.
Could I need just to flush and replace the brake fluid which has not been done and I have over 133k miles? any suggestions? thanks!

midixon

Sounds like your master cylinder went south on you. No point replacing fluid, that won't cause the problems that you are experiencing. You're losing pressure somewhere, if there's no leaks and the MC fluid level is not going down, then the MC is bypassing.

patdaly

Have you verified the level of fluid in the Master cylinder?

karenl1234

thank you both for the relpies will go now and check out the mater cyclinder fluid level!

karenl1234

brake fluid full

midixon

OK Karen, next question. When you push easy on the brakes, are they there then go away?
Still sounds like your master cylinder has gone south on you to me but others may have another suggestion. There's lots of knowledge out there!!
I just did my MC on my 94, not a huge expense and not all that hard to change but a real Edit to get all the air out sometimes.
One thing for sure, I wouldn't be driving that rig until you get the problem sorted out.

karenl1234

hey midixon yeah it reminds me of the old days when you had to bleed the brakes to get all the air out, yes they will be there and then opps gone to the floor! but no bubbles or leaks that I can find will have to drive to next town for service will have friend help I'm down to just one vehicle and live in the country so might have to ride my horse!lol!

midixon

Good luck with the repairs! At least you've got a backup even if it runs on oats.
Post the results when you get it all resolved.

patdaly

Ok, so we can rule out a rusted rear brake line. You are playing with an 01, and since you mentioned the hubs were expensive, I will surmise you have 4 wheel ABS?

While the MC could well be bad, and is the first thing I would look at, I suspect you have an ABS unit allowing fluid bypass.

One thing for sure, if it is the MC, it is much cheaper and easier than finding a ABS valve..........

Don T

I had terrible mush brakes when my 95 had an ABS problem.I had to replace the cable from the frame to the rear end and that fixed the brakes also.That line is in three pieces on a 95.Under drivers door in wheel well and on the frame behind the fuel tank. I had to make a long jumper to test the cable to find the short. I tested at each of the three plugs till I found where the short was. No codes came up.I think no signal on abs and it will allow a flow issue. That`s my guess. Later Don T