GM / General Motors: Buick Century 2000 brake question

Buick Century 2000 brake question

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Oct 26, 2003, 7:54pm (CST+6) From:
net (Homer*Pigeon)
This car was purchased new, is seldom driven and has 8500 miles on it.
My wife drives it, I rarely do. When braking I noticed the pedal almost
goes to the floor. It does stop the car and if I press hard the pedal
slowly goes down. In the "old days" I would refer to this as a soft
pedal. No indicator lights appear on the dash and the fluid reservoir is
full. With the engine off the pedal acts normal (hard pedal) in that it
only moves a slight amount and when rolling the car with engine off the
braking is normal. I tried hard braking from 50 MPH, which appeared
normal the brakes did not lock up or the tires squeal. I felt no pulsing
from the ABS. I drive a 98 Chevy Cavalier and the brakes do not function
this way, the pedal only moves a slight distance. Is this normal or does
it have something to do with the ABS? I'm concerned about the old gal
(my wife) so I told her not to drive it until I check it out. Thanks,
--
Homer
Remove, no me

When was the last time you checked you pads?
You could have low pads,air in the system or both........If you have no
leaks ...Start there...Most of the time when ABS problems accure you'll
have the light come on..Or you will feel it kicking in and pulsing when
braking normal .....So the soft peddle..Should be low pads or air or
both........If your pads check out ok front and back....Bleed the
system...Keep it like it is and they may go out....
hope i was of some help
SteveC

"Steve Cook" <net> wrote in message
newsublic.lawson.webtv.net...

Buick Century 2000 brake question

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Oct 26, 2003, 7:54pm (CST+6) From:
net (Homer Pigeon)
<snip>

When was the last time you checked you pads?
You could have low pads,air in the system or both........If you have no
leaks ...Start there...Most of the time when ABS problems accure you'll
have the light come on..Or you will feel it kicking in and pulsing when
braking normal .....So the soft peddle..Should be low pads or air or
both........If your pads check out ok front and back....Bleed the
system...Keep it like it is and they may go out....
hope i was of some help
SteveC

Thanks for your help Steve. My son the mechanic who unfortunately lives in
another state said he thought it could be that an ABS module is being bypassed
(whatever that is) or possibly it needed bleeding. The car is 3 years old but
with 8500 miles it's hard for me (old garage mechanic) to believe the pads would
be bad or that it had air in the system. (?) I'm too old to jack up and crawl
around under a car anymore but I like to have some knowledge before taking it to
the dealer. I plan on a test drive of a new Buick today and my son said he would
be here for Thanksgiving so hopefully he will look into it. I agree with you
that it's best checked out before they fail! BTW the reservoir is full and never
needed any fluid.
Homer

I would think air in the system...... Or maybe someone mixed brake fluid
types, and its outgassed. (I've actually seen this happen once)

"Homer Pigeon" <net> wrote in message
news:slenb.16735$ops.worldnet.att.net... 
bypassed 
but 
would 
crawl 
it to 
would 
you 
never 

Re: Buick Century 2000 brake question

Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Mon, Oct 27, 2003, 7:41pm (CST+6) From:
com (Tony)
I would think air in the system...... Or maybe someone mixed brake fluid
types, and its outgassed. (I've actually seen this happen once)
"Homer Pigeon" <net> wrote in message
news:slenb.16735$ops.worldnet.att.net...
"Steve Cook" <net> wrote in message
newsublic.lawson.webtv.net...
Buick Century 2000 brake question
Group: alt.autos.gm Date: Sun, Oct 26, 2003, 7:54pm (CST+6) From:
net (Homer Pigeon)
<snip>
When was the last time you checked you pads? You could have low pads,air
in the system or both........If you have no leaks ...Start there...Most
of the time when ABS problems accure you'll have the light come on..Or
you will feel it kicking in and pulsing when braking normal .....So the
soft peddle..Should be low pads or air or both........If your pads check
out ok front and back....Bleed the system...Keep it like it is and they
may go out.... hope i was of some help
SteveC
Thanks for your help Steve. My son the mechanic who unfortunately lives
in another state said he thought it could be that an ABS module is being
bypassed (whatever that is) or possibly it needed bleeding. The car is 3
years old but with 8500 miles it's hard for me (old garage mechanic) to
believe the pads would be bad or that it had air in the system. (?) I'm
too old to jack up and crawl around under a car anymore but I like to
have some knowledge before taking it to the dealer. I plan on a test
drive of a new Buick today and my son said he would be here for
Thanksgiving so hopefully he will look into it. I agree with you that
it's best checked out before they fail! BTW the reservoir is full and
never needed any fluid.
Homer

Its unlikey the ABS mod is being bypassed any fault in the abs system
will set off your light and set a code.....Possibly could be your
booster...One question when you press on the brake do you hear what
sounds like air when your pressing the peddle in? If so your booster is
out....and needs replaced...
Steve C

> Its unlikey the ABS mod is being bypassed any fault in the abs system 
is 
Yes Steve C, I do hear a hiss or squish sound each time the pedal is
pressed. I talked to the dealer service department and they said Buick
is known for its soft pedal! I will definitely go to the dealer today
and have them check it while I test drive a new Buick. I will post back
my findings Thanks a bunch.
Homer