My 98 Dodge Grand Caravan has brake problems. About 1/8 of the time when I hit the brakes, the pressure is VERY low in the pedal. It's not so bad that the van doesn't stop, but I have to push it very hard and it stops alot slower than it should. The rest of the time, it has normal, firm pressure like it should and it stops fine. When I'm stopped, the pedal DOES NOT sink. I have had the brakes bled twice by a pro (I didn't do it myself) and it didn't help. What's going on? Master cylinder? Booster? I need serious help!
2006-12-21 15:18:22 · 13 answers · asked by GirlsCanBeGeeks2 3 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I would like to add that I have not had any brake work done...this problem just started occuring one day out of the blue.
Thanks for all of your answers. I'm making notes to ask the mechanic tomorrow!
2006-12-21 15:53:32 · update #1
i own a shop,and it sounds like the master cylinder going bad on it,,it don't matter how many times it gets bleed off if its going bad it just goes back down again,,id also check the pads and shoes and see if there in good shape,,bit id say you need a new master cylinder on it,,good luck ,hope this help,s.,,have a good x-mas.
2006-12-21 15:25:59 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have had the brakes bled twice then you shouldn't have water in the system but replacing all of the fluid might help. Do you lose fluid at all? Ask the mechanic who bled them if all of the wheels bled freely and at the same rate. If not then you might have blockage in a valve, hose or caliper which could be an intermittent problem. If all of these check out than you may have a problem with the master cylinder, vaccuum booster or the ABS system. It would be worth the money to have your mechanic scan the computer to see if any codes come up for the ABS electronics. A negative scan does not rule out the ABS valves which could be the culprit. Before you spend any more money have your mechanic call a chrysler garage and ask the service manager if there are any known causes for your symptoms. Also check the NHTSA (national highway transportation safety administration) website for TSB's and recalls. You might want to do this last one yourself just to have the knowledge. Good luck.
2006-12-21 23:38:08 · answer #2 · answered by Shawn M 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You very well could be causing your brake system to overheat and causing the brake fluid to boil. Which in turn would cause the pedal to sink to the floor and as soon as it stops being overheated it will return to normal. Your rotors or drums if applicable could be out of min. spec and are not allowing all of the heat to dissapate. Could just be dirty brake fluid. Seeing as a bleed job only removes air from the system and doesn't neccessarily mean removing all of the old brake fluid and adding new. You might just need a brake flush.
I doubt it would be the booster, seeing as if the booster wasn't there it would be extremely hard to push the pedal.
Push comes to shove, take it to a Dodge dealer. They are obligated to fix it when you pay them. "I can't do it" is not an acceptable answer there. One way or another it will get fixed there. And don't think that it's cheaper to take it to Joe Shmoe, because in the end it's almost the exact same as dealer pricing.
2006-12-21 23:37:57 · answer #3 · answered by Alex R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A master cylinder would let your pedal go down, bleeding won't help, air in system causes soft pedal. Your problem almost surely has to be in the booster. Can't say exactly what but sounds like the booster doesn't operate every time you apply the brakes. This sounds like a hands on job to fix.
2006-12-22 00:05:44 · answer #4 · answered by tronary 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That problem sounds more like the master cylinder. The booster would cause a hard pedal not a soft one. The master cylinder could be bypassing hydraulic pressure internally. It will most likely get worse if you don't fix.
2006-12-21 23:27:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
most of the time its the master cylinder that looses its pressure will cause that ,hey some times all it is a opened brake fluid cap not been closed properly .look to see if the brake fluid reservoir is wet thatl tell yea if its leaking ,another thing is a cracked vacuum hose on the master cylinder .theres many possibility's
2006-12-21 23:27:30 · answer #6 · answered by shane p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you hear a hissing sound when pressing the brakes, if so that could be the sign of af a bad brake booster. If not, try having you brakes back bled that usually helps get trapped air out when you have ABS.
2006-12-21 23:30:58 · answer #7 · answered by milfgladiator 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sounds like you have a bad master cylinder, if it were your pads you would get noise.Make sure your brake fluid is at the proper level
2006-12-22 10:54:30 · answer #8 · answered by JAMI E 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The master cylinder is going bad. It is only going to get worse before getting replaced.
2006-12-25 09:54:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have a feeling your "PRO" turned some thin rotors, slapped on some cheap pads and did not REPLACE every oz. of old fluid and just glanced at those 8 yr old rubber brake hoses and skipped the rear clean and adjust too! -LOL
2006-12-21 23:41:21 · answer #10 · answered by badmts 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋