crap brakes

englemere · Post by **englemere** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:51 am

I've found my brakes a bit on the crap side since I bought the turbo - they're certainly not as good as on my previous ES. So last night I tested my ABS and hey presto its not working.

The light comes on as it should on start-up, then goes out after 30secs or so. On heavy application of the brakes the fluid level and ABS light come on momentarily but go out after a second, no more.

I've checked the level and its fine - put a bit more in after reading a post from mr. catgroom.

Also the brake pedal is very heavy but then I see that there isn't a servo on it anyway (its a '89 car with the ATE system).

Finally theres yet another stray connector in the car, right next to the ABS computer in the boot which is a 3-pin jobby. Is this another 480 'extra' or should it be plugged into anything?

Adam

pol · Post by **pol** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 2:01 pm

Pretty sure I have an extra connector not connected to anything on mine also...

Not servo assisted? Didn't know that.

Probably worth bleeding your brakes. Pretty easy job with good results usually.

pol

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 3:54 pm

The mark three abs doesn't have a vacuum servo like the mark 4 if i remember right...instead it uses hydraulic pressure.

No 480 (and very few lesser cars) can be found without servo assisted braking.

Early fiat pandas, 2cvs, that kinda think will be all thats left.

rpruen · Post by **rpruen** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 7:50 pm

Yes the MK3 ABS is a power assisted system, but uses the ABS pump to provide the asisstance. It is more of a power braking system, than a normal setup. It uses a pedal position sensor to provide feedback, notice you can press the pedal to the floor with the ignition switched off... All in all it's a bit of an odd system.

As mentioned above try bleeding the brakes, as air in the system may not be as noticable, due to the way it works. Try pressing the pedal down with the engine running, if the level of fluid drops more than a few mm, then you may well have air in the system.

Richard

JohnTurbo · Post by **JohnTurbo** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 8:32 pm

If you get really stuck i have an entire mark 3 abs system in my garage that i know works for sure.

By this i mean the abs/pump/linkage from under the bonnet, the braking ECU, and the whole brake wiring harness.

I'd sell it for 30quid.

guitarcarfanatic · Post by **guitarcarfanatic** » Wed Feb 28, 2007 11:29 pm

Had problems with this system on my old car. Definately feels weaker than other systems but you just have to give it a bit more pedal. Just change and then bleed the brake fluid and it should make a difference. Once you get used to the Mk3 system you will find it fine. It actually stops the car very well if you give it welly! It is just getting used to it in the first place that is the tough part.

englemere · Post by **englemere** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:29 pm

bleeding them sounds dangerous - would you guys do it yourselves or take it to a garage and let them fire brake fluid through brick walls

?

If I'm going to get this thing RichMod'd I'd like decent brakes so any advice for upgrading them or is the standard setup competent enough?

Adam

owen080808 · Post by **owen080808** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 5:47 pm

murf told me that bleeding the brakes is actually fine, i had also been put off by the haynes manual "the fluid is at 1000000bar and will cut your hand off etc etc" but i must admit that i haven't quite gotten round to it yet

i will one day soon tho, i think as long as you follow all the steps carefully it should be fine...

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 6:20 pm

Its not that scary actually, and thats me talking!

Richmann1 · Post by **Richmann1** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 7:13 pm

Its very easy and straightforward done it quite a few times. Best to by one of the bleeding kits with the one way valve i found.

Rich

clubman_dan · Post by **clubman_dan** » Thu Mar 01, 2007 9:25 pm

the old owner of mine was telling me about wehn it had to have a new abs unit fitted a few years ago, the old one just failed for no obvious reason.
it cost Â£1600 to get a new one fitted (a lot of which was the cost of the part i believe)!!

englemere · Post by **englemere** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 1:27 pm

Well if I get time after I change the thermostat tomorrow then I'll have a go.

I'll get me one of those 'bleed-easee' kit things from Halfrauds as well.

chris1roll · Post by **chris1roll** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 10:47 pm

If its one of those that you connect a spare tyre or a compressor to, you can't use that to bleed the ABS brakes. You have to have someone pumping the pedal.
You can use the type that use a non return valve though.

Joolz · Post by **Joolz** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:14 pm

good old Chris....ever helpful