02 brake bleeding problems
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Joined: Jan 2005
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02 brake bleeding problems
Howdy,
I'm trying to bleed (well, flush really) the brakes on a 2002 Mountaineer. I've bled brakes plenty of times, but I'm figuring there is some ABS thing here that has me confused. I start at the right rear. I hook up the mightyvac, draw a vacuum, crack the plug, and I get a little squirt of fluid, certainly no flow.
I try it at one of the front wheels, same deal. I enlisted the help of a friend to try it the pump and hold way, I get a little bit more fluid, but still, just a squirt. It will take me years at this rate to get all of the dirty fluid out
The Ford manual doesn't seem to say or imply anything special other than the old fashioned bleeding method is needed, which really shocked me.
Any suggestions or input is greatly appreciated!
-Mike
I'm trying to bleed (well, flush really) the brakes on a 2002 Mountaineer. I've bled brakes plenty of times, but I'm figuring there is some ABS thing here that has me confused. I start at the right rear. I hook up the mightyvac, draw a vacuum, crack the plug, and I get a little squirt of fluid, certainly no flow.
I try it at one of the front wheels, same deal. I enlisted the help of a friend to try it the pump and hold way, I get a little bit more fluid, but still, just a squirt. It will take me years at this rate to get all of the dirty fluid out
The Ford manual doesn't seem to say or imply anything special other than the old fashioned bleeding method is needed, which really shocked me.
Any suggestions or input is greatly appreciated!
-Mike
CO River Rat
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,209
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From: Lake Havasu City AZ
Mike -
After doing a quick search for ABS bleeding, I came up with these:
The preferred method for bleeding ABS brakes is to use a vacuum bleeder. Bleeding order is from the master cylinder out. Then LF, RF, LR, RR.
Bleed one of the calipers until the reservoir is almost empty. On ABS systems, this should be one of the front calipers.
Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark with new fluid.
Have your assistant switch the ignition on (so the ignition, oil, etc. lights come on), but not actually start the engine, and press on the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
I don't know if the last one applies to you, but it's worth a try.........
Steve
After doing a quick search for ABS bleeding, I came up with these:
The preferred method for bleeding ABS brakes is to use a vacuum bleeder. Bleeding order is from the master cylinder out. Then LF, RF, LR, RR.
Bleed one of the calipers until the reservoir is almost empty. On ABS systems, this should be one of the front calipers.
Top up the reservoir to the MAX mark with new fluid.
Have your assistant switch the ignition on (so the ignition, oil, etc. lights come on), but not actually start the engine, and press on the brake pedal and keep it pressed.
I don't know if the last one applies to you, but it's worth a try.........
Steve
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 429
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Whatever you do, don't let the master cylinder reservoir run dry. I made that mistake once, and had exactly the same problem bleeding the brakes as you are having.
Apparently, an empty reservoir sets a code that locks the brake system. The code must be reset before the brakes can be bled, and it can't be done with an OBD II scanner. I had to have a shop clear the code and bleed the brakes for me.
Good luck!
Apparently, an empty reservoir sets a code that locks the brake system. The code must be reset before the brakes can be bled, and it can't be done with an OBD II scanner. I had to have a shop clear the code and bleed the brakes for me.
Good luck!
