YABT: Had more work done on my brakes

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Oh my has this issue driven me up the wall.




CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE:

-For those who haven't already read my past threads and want info start from chapter 1
-For those who already read my past threads move on to chapter 2


Chapter 1

Car: 1990 Honda accord
Problems until now: burns oil,;sometimes doesn't start when left in the sun do to some issue with relays(?); suspension is messed up due to a bent rim

recent problems: brake issues


I have discussed this in detail but the original issue was that I would periodically lose brake pressure. I was bad, but I would still have my brakes. They were just really weak and I had to press the pedal down almost to the bottom of the pedal well. At first it started happening only when I'd use the A/C. People told me that I was crazy so I listened to them.

I had it fixed. Supposedly.

I had a diag done and I was told that it was air in the brake lines and worn out pads. From the opinion of others I had come to the conclusion that air was the problem so a I had the lines flushed and the pads changed just in case. My car has front pads and rear drum BTW.

Two blocks from the shop it did it again when I had the A/C on:| :(

Chapter 2


It got worse.

This past week, at times, I would loose my brakes completely. Yes. COMPLETELY. At first I would just lose more and more, until eventually the brake pedal did nothing:Q I thought it had been A/C related but this time I didn't even have it on:( Needless to say, I made myself an avid fan of my lifeline, the until-then omniscient handbrake. I was in a panic. I blew all my money on the flush and the pads and didn?t have any left.
I asked some friends to help me out and they helped me out

Supposedly it would be fixed by today. Supposedly.


It wasn?t.



It gets worse.

They replaced the master cylinder because they agreed that a leak or a faulty piston could be about the only thing left to fix. They said they couldn?t get all the air out of it but that it would be okay.

Supposedly it was fine.

It wasn?t.

I get some pressure, but only if I press the brake All the way down, and even then, it causes the front right wheel to lock REALLY easily. Needless to say, the only thing that even begins to slow my car down is my handbrake and I am scared. I can?t afford any more repairs and am already in debt to my friends with apparently no improvement..

And then I noticed the fvking lights.

When I even tap the breaks of touch them softly, the dash lights dim

WTF?I thought this system wasn?t electrical besides the booster?!


Can anyone help me? I will bitch at the shop to get the lines flushed again for free (hopefully) or to at least get the air out to see if that fixes anything but what else is there to fix?:confused:

FVCK!:|


Cliffs: CYOA?s are a bitch:p

 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
What happens to your engine speed when you hit the brakes? I'm wondering if your engine is bogging down, slowing down the alternator, causing your lights to dim.
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What happens to your RPMs when you hit the brakes? I'm wondering if your engine is bogging down, slowing down the alternator, causing your lights to dim.

sometimes...and only sometimes the rpm's are tickled, maybe 1/4 of a thatch mark. The brakes are definitely affecting it.
 

farmercal

Golden Member
Mar 23, 2000
1,580
0
0
If the right front brake is locking up and you had the brake pads replaced, perhaps you should have a look at the caliper and see if it is leaking fluid onto the disc?
 

Goosemaster

Lifer
Apr 10, 2001
48,775
3
81
Originally posted by: farmercal
If the right front brake is locking up and you had the brake pads replaced, perhaps you should have a look at the caliper and see if it is leaking fluid onto the disc?

will do.


btw, when I brake hard I smell burning so that might be it. THis all took place at night yesterday and I had no flashlight.
 

zixxer

Diamond Member
Jul 6, 2001
7,326
0
0
check your vacuum lines. the only relation the a/c may have is an affect on the vacuum to the brake booster.


the electrical thing is a whole other issue

also one side locking up is either a seized/sticking caliper (unlikely) or a borked master cylinder that isn't proportioning properly (more likely)
 

91TTZ

Lifer
Jan 31, 2005
14,374
1
0
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What happens to your engine speed when you hit the brakes? I'm wondering if your engine is bogging down, slowing down the alternator, causing your lights to dim.


I was thinking either that, or there's a short somewhere in the brake light circuit.
 

iamwiz82

Lifer
Jan 10, 2001
30,772
13
81
Originally posted by: 91TTZ
Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What happens to your engine speed when you hit the brakes? I'm wondering if your engine is bogging down, slowing down the alternator, causing your lights to dim.


I was thinking either that, or there's a short somewhere in the brake light circuit.

And if there is a short, good luck. Trying to find it will be.... fun...