BRAKE PROBLEMS!!! I'M BEGGIN' FOR SOME INPUT
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BRAKE PROBLEMS!!! I'M BEGGIN' FOR SOME INPUT
OK here goes... I've got a '96 F-250 7.3 Powerstroke, A/T. The brake idiot like has come on, and it acts like I don't have any brakes ( stand on the brakes and barely stop) this doesn't happen all the time, it's sporadic. Sometimes they are fine then the idiot light comes on and bam almost no brakes. PLZ help a brother out here!!!!
Also I would like some thoughts on HHO generators for my truck ...thx
Also I would like some thoughts on HHO generators for my truck ...thx
Last edited by billyba; Jul 20, 2011 at 04:48 PM. Reason: additional ?
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Southern WV
I'm assuming you have checked to see if you still have pads and shoes left correct?
Check your vacuum supply to your booster? Fluid full? No kinked, cut, broken or leaking brake lines?
Parking brake working ok?
Did it start all at once like that or get worse over time? Any weird noises? Smells?
Check your vacuum supply to your booster? Fluid full? No kinked, cut, broken or leaking brake lines?
Parking brake working ok?
Did it start all at once like that or get worse over time? Any weird noises? Smells?
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reply to KevinGnWV
Thanks for the quick response ...New pads & rotors less than a yr ago and I don't do much city driving at all. Fluid is full, no leaking fluid anywhere so I'm assuming all is well in that regard, P/B works great, 'bout 45 min ago I went out and started the truck and the red brake idiot light was on, just went out to check the P/B and it wasn't on ???, no kinks in the lines by the way. No smells or noises that I've noticed either. This all started day before yesterday, When we first took off,... the brakes where a little grabby, then the light came on and almost no brakes, it's been on again off again since then, but this just started two days ago.
The village idiot.
Joined: Feb 2010
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From: Southern WV
I was thinking the master cylinder but you would think the pedal would go to the floor and you can usually pump the pedal to get brakes. Besides that, it's sporadic so that throws me off.
My guess then would be a problem with the booster itself.
Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in soon.
My guess then would be a problem with the booster itself.
Maybe someone with more knowledge will chime in soon.
Posting Guru
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From: Toledo, Ohio
I was thinking Master also, but that doesn't explain the light.. To me anyhow. The light is supposed to come on for low fluid, and either that light or another comes on for parking brake, correct? These trucks don't have electric brakes.. I am watching this to see where it goes cause I am stumped.
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Thanks for taking the time to reply Volvo, it's got me scratching my head... as well as some others to be sure. The fellow I bought it from installed electric brakes for trailer. I wonder if that could be part of the problem. But I've had the truck for 2.5 years now so I don't see how, but ya never know do ya.
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Post Fiend
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From: Bonita Springs FL
When you don't have any brakes, what happens to the pedal? Does it sink to the floor or does it get really hard to press? If you really stand on it, can you bring the truck to a stop in a somewhat reasonable distance?
Your master cylinder is a very simple device. There isn't really a 'sporadic' failure mode that I've ever seen. Ditto for brake boosters.
I'm thinking the vacuum pump is intermittent. That's what provides the vacuum supply to the power booster. As for the light, it's possible that there is some kind of fault detection on the vacuum pump and when the PCM detects it, it fires the light. I dunno, just hypothesizing.
I vote vacuum pump.
Your master cylinder is a very simple device. There isn't really a 'sporadic' failure mode that I've ever seen. Ditto for brake boosters.
I'm thinking the vacuum pump is intermittent. That's what provides the vacuum supply to the power booster. As for the light, it's possible that there is some kind of fault detection on the vacuum pump and when the PCM detects it, it fires the light. I dunno, just hypothesizing.
I vote vacuum pump.
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Hello Andy,....Yes the brake pedal gets really hard to press....and yes if I stand on it the brakes do work, I was kinda thinkin that they acted like regular brakes. In the old days if the power brakes didn't work they would stop you, but took more effort because the vaccum booster was malfunctioning. Cool beans... I'm not really up on these trucks I kinda thought they got the vacuum from the engine. What do I know?
Posting Guru
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From: Toledo, Ohio
Ohh I missed that. Yes. A diesel doesn't produce vacuum like a gasoline engine does so you need the vacuum pump. And, that could have a sensor which could explain the light. Still gotta verify it though.
Post Fiend
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From: Bonita Springs FL
The problem is that you'd have to hook up the gauge to the pump when the problem is happening.
While looking at the price of a vacuum pump, I also noticed that they sell a low vacuum warning switch connector, so it makes sense that a light would go off when the vacuum is not sufficient.
But I would just go ahead and replace the pump. There really isn't much else to go wrong and it seems really likely to be the pump.
While looking at the price of a vacuum pump, I also noticed that they sell a low vacuum warning switch connector, so it makes sense that a light would go off when the vacuum is not sufficient.
But I would just go ahead and replace the pump. There really isn't much else to go wrong and it seems really likely to be the pump.
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Gentlemen,.... I greatly appreciate all your help in solving my problem. That seems to be a logical solution. I will be replacing the pump in the next day or two. Thank you again for all the ideas that all ya'll took the time to forward to me. You saved me a ton of time and money, THANK YOU... so much!!!