My 2000 Neon has 197,000 KMs on it....never had a problem and it has been maintained on a regular basis.
The other day, I started my car, backed out of a parking spot, shifted to "drive" and as I creeped forward without accelerating, I felt a "bump" or a "knock" under my car. I attempted to stop the car and NOTHING! The brake pedal hit the floor without any stopping. I pumped a 2nd & 3rd time and I had NO BRAKES! After coasting very slowly around a corner, I pulled into a gas station and stopped this time WITH brakes. All of a sudden my brakes were back. This was 3 days ago.
Why would my brakes temporarily stop working? I literally had no brakes at all for about 2 minutes and then they came back. Also, I had my car in for a full service at 160,000 and my mechanic said everything looked good, no problems at all.
Can brakes stop working briefly and still be ok or is this the reult of a bigger problem?
2007-03-12 04:04:37 · 6 answers · asked by dkneheli 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Check your master cylinder reservoir - you may need fluid added. Sounds like you had some air in the brake lines that somehow worked itself out. Be sure to look for any leaks around the inside of each wheel. My guess is that the master cylinder needs fluid. I can't imagine what the bump or knock was unless it was caused by the brake calipers trying to seat.
2007-03-12 05:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Doug R 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To answer your last question first, no, brakes should never briefly stop working. This points to a bigger problem.
I think there's a hint in the noise you heard. You backed out of a spot, stepped on the brakes obviously. They bound slightly and/or the material separated from the backing of the disc pads/shoes.
Could you tell if the noise was from the front or back?? I would pull the wheels and inspect the brakes. Bet you find brakes pads that have separated from their plates. Happens more times than you'd think.
2007-03-12 11:19:05 · answer #2 · answered by Brian D 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have a problem for sure. There may have been a problem with the master cylinder, air in the lines, low fluid level, or a failing wheel cylinder.
Doesn't matter though. Don't drive the car again until your mechanic can find the fault and repair it. If he can't find it, then get another mechanic.
You don't want to get hurt or die, and you don't want to kill or hurt some innocent person just trying to cross the street, when your brakes fail.
Good luck
2007-03-12 11:15:35 · answer #3 · answered by Fordman 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You could be low on brake fluid or even have air in the brake lines... there are really a number of various possibilities. I recommend brake system inspection (check, clean adjust, fill and bleed).
2007-03-12 14:52:29 · answer #4 · answered by Baby8Grl2000 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would be scared to drive it till I found the cause & fixed it. If it happens again, you may be in a bad accident. I have never heard of brakes failing & then repairing themselves.
2007-03-12 11:12:52 · answer #5 · answered by gejandsons 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take your car in right a way you have probably lost a front brake pad.
2007-03-12 11:12:20 · answer #6 · answered by Kevi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋