Base Brake System
Red Brake Warning Indicator Lamp
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| RED BRAKE WARNING LAMP ON | 1. Parking brake lever not fully released. | 1. Release parking brake lever. |
| 2. Parking brake warning lamp switch on parking brake lever. | 2. Inspect and replace switch as necessary. | |
| 3. Brake fluid level LOW in reservoir. | 3. Fill reservoir. test entire system for leaks. Repair or replace as required. | |
| 4. Brake fluid level switch. | 4. Disconnect switch wiring connector. If lamp goes out, replace switch. | |
| 5. Mechanical instrument cluster problem. | 5. Refer to appropriate Diagnostic information. | |
| 6. Amber ABS Warning Indicator Lamp also illuminated. | 6. Refer to appropriate Diagnostic information. |
Brake Noise
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| CLICK OR SQUAWK ON PEDAL APPLICATION | 1. Brake lamp switch. | 1. Replace switch. |
| 2. Brake Transmission Shift Interlock Linkage. | 2. Lubricate BTSI linkage. | |
| 3. Pedal pivot bushings. | 3. Lubricate pivot bushings. Replace if necessary. | |
| DISC BRAKE CHIRP | 1. Excessive brake rotor runout. | 1. Follow brake rotor diagnosis and testing. Correct as necessary. |
| 2. Lack of lubricant on brake caliper slides. | 2. Lubricate brake caliper slides. | |
| 3. Caliper/shoes not fully seated. | 3. Reseat caliper/shoes. | |
| DISC BRAKE RATTLE OR CLUNK | 1. Broken or missing anti-rattle spring clips. | 1. Replace anti-rattle spring clips. |
| 2. Caliper guide pins/bolts loose. | 2. Tighten guide pins/bolts. | |
| DISC BRAKE SQUEAK AT LOW SPEED (WHILE APPLYING LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL EFFORT) | 1. Brake shoe linings. | 1. Replace brake shoes. |
| SCRAPING (METAL-TO-METAL). | 1. Foreign object interference with brakes. | 1. Inspect brakes and remove foreign object. |
| 2. Brake shoes worn out. | 2. Replace brake shoes. Inspect rotors. Resurface or replace as necessary. |
Other Brake Conditions
| CONDITION | POSSIBLE CAUSES | CORRECTION |
|---|---|---|
| BRAKES CHATTER | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. |
| BRAKES DRAG (FRONT OR ALL) | 1. Contaminated brake fluid. | 1. Test for swollen seals. Replace all system components containing rubber. |
| 2. Binding caliper pins or bushings. | 2. Replace pins and bushings. | |
| 3. Binding master cylinder. | 3. Replace master cylinder. | |
| 4. Binding brake pedal. | 4. Replace brake pedal. | |
| 5. Brake lamp switch not adjusted properly and mounting bracket is bent. | 5. Straighten mounting bracket and replace brake lamp switch. | |
| BRAKES DRAG (REAR ONLY) | 1. Parking brake cables binding or froze up. | 1. Test cable routing. Replace cables as necessary. |
| 2. Parking brake cable return spring not returning shoes. | 2. Replace cables as necessary. | |
| 3. Rear disc brake parking brake not properly adjusted. | 3. Adjust parking brake shoes. | |
| BRAKES GRAB | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Improper power brake booster assist. | 2. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL EFFORT | 1. Obstruction of brake pedal. | 1. Inspect, remove or move obstruction. |
| 2. Low power brake booster assist (vacuum leak). | 2. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| 3. Glazed brake linings. | 3. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes. | |
| 4. Brake shoe lining transfer to brake rotor. | 4. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. Replace brake shoes. | |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (VEHICLE STOPS OK) | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL (ONE FRONT WHEEL LOCKS UP DURING HARD BRAKING) | 1. One of the two hydraulic circuits to the front brakes is malfunctioning. | 1. Inspect system for leaks. test master cylinder for internal malfunction. |
| PEDAL PULSATES/SURGES DURING BRAKING | 1. Disc brake rotor has excessive thickness variation. | 1. Isolate condition as rear or front. Resurface or replace brake rotors as necessary. |
| PEDAL IS SPONGY | 1. Air in brake lines. | 1. Bleed brakes. |
| 2. Power brake booster runout (vacuum assist). | 2. test booster vacuum hose and engine tune for adequate vacuum supply. Refer to power brake booster diagnosis and testing. | |
| PREMATURE WHEEL LOCKUP | 1. Contaminated brake shoe linings. | 1. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. |
| 2. Anti Lock brake system function issue. | 2. Refer to appropriate Anti Lock brake diagnostic information. | |
| STOP/BRAKE LAMPS STAY ON | 1. Brake lamp switch out of adjustment. | 1. Replace brake lamp switch. |
| 2. Brake pedal binding. | 2. Inspect and replace as necessary. | |
| 3. Obstruction in pedal linkage. | 3. Remove obstruction. | |
| 4. Power Brake Booster not allowing pedal to return completely. | 4. Replace power brake booster. | |
| VEHICLE PULLS TO RIGHT OR LEFT ON BRAKING | 1. Frozen brake caliper piston. | 1. Replace frozen piston or caliper. Bleed brakes. |
| 2. Contaminated brake shoe lining. | 2. Inspect and clean, or replace shoes. Repair source of contamination. | |
| 3. Pinched brake lines. | 3. Replace pinched line. | |
| 4. Leaking piston seal. | 4. Replace piston seal or brake caliper. | |
| 5. Suspension problem. | 5. Refer to the Suspension group. | |
| PARKING BRAKE - EXCESSIVE LEVER TRAVEL | 1. Broke cable. | 1. Replace broken cable. |
| 2. Binding cable. | 2. Replace binding cable. | |
| 3. Damaged lever at rear brake caliper. | 3. Replace rear brake caliper. | |
| 4. Binding/frozen rear brake caliper piston. | 4. Replace rear brake caliper. |