Air in Brake System of New Car?
06-09-2006, 04:56 PM
#1
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Air in Brake System of New Car?
I bought a new 2006 TL about a month ago and only have 1K of mileage on it. Yesterday when I went out to lunch, the brakes were not working well: they would go all the way to the floor and the car was slow to stop.
Today when I took it in for service, I was told that there was "a lot of air in the brake system" and they bled the brakes. This seemed odd to me since the only way air should be able to get in the brake system is if there is a leak, and if there is a leak the problem will return.
On the way home from the dealer, in rush-hour traffic I had a good chance to test the brakes. They weren't as bad as yesterday but they still don't seem normal. When I'm at a stop, the pedal slowly sinks to the floor; granted, it might take 20-30 seconds to sink to the floor, but that doesn't seem normal. In the loaner car today, when I'd hold the breaks at a stop light, they stayed firm.
Would anyone be able to provide me feedback if 1) it's possible for air to get in the brake system without there being a leak (ie. the problem will reoccur) and 2) if it's "normal" for the break pedal to sink to the floor when the car is stopped?
Thanks for any feedback!
Mark
Today when I took it in for service, I was told that there was "a lot of air in the brake system" and they bled the brakes. This seemed odd to me since the only way air should be able to get in the brake system is if there is a leak, and if there is a leak the problem will return.
On the way home from the dealer, in rush-hour traffic I had a good chance to test the brakes. They weren't as bad as yesterday but they still don't seem normal. When I'm at a stop, the pedal slowly sinks to the floor; granted, it might take 20-30 seconds to sink to the floor, but that doesn't seem normal. In the loaner car today, when I'd hold the breaks at a stop light, they stayed firm.
Would anyone be able to provide me feedback if 1) it's possible for air to get in the brake system without there being a leak (ie. the problem will reoccur) and 2) if it's "normal" for the break pedal to sink to the floor when the car is stopped?
Thanks for any feedback!
Mark
06-10-2006, 01:30 PM
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06-14-2006, 08:53 AM
#5
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
SilverUA5,
Thanks for the link on the brakes. You mentioned in the other thread that after you had your master cylinder replaced, the problem returned after two days. Did you ever get it fixed after that? If so, what was the problem?
Thanks for the help and feedback!
Mark
Thanks for the link on the brakes. You mentioned in the other thread that after you had your master cylinder replaced, the problem returned after two days. Did you ever get it fixed after that? If so, what was the problem?
Thanks for the help and feedback!
Mark
06-14-2006, 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by MarkF786
SilverUA5,
Thanks for the link on the brakes. You mentioned in the other thread that after you had your master cylinder replaced, the problem returned after two days. Did you ever get it fixed after that? If so, what was the problem?
Thanks for the help and feedback!
Mark
Thanks for the link on the brakes. You mentioned in the other thread that after you had your master cylinder replaced, the problem returned after two days. Did you ever get it fixed after that? If so, what was the problem?
Thanks for the help and feedback!
Mark
Check your inbox Mark.
06-14-2006, 02:39 PM
#7
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
Thanks for the reply, SilverUA5.
Today I took my car back in since the brakes were getter worse. The service manager wanted the mechanic to test drive the car, but the once the mechanic turned the key and pressed the brakes, he agreed there was a problem.
Comparing my brakes to the loaner car's brakes, my pedal travels about four inches before the brakes begin to engage, then it takes another couple of inches until I feel the normal resistance of the pedal stopping. On the loaner, the travel is only about an inch with another inch or less until I feel the normal resistance. It's like night and day, with my car requiring a lot of pressure to stop while the loaner requires little more than the weight of my foot.
I'll let you know what they try next to fix the problem. Also, I'll take Silver's advice and measure the pedal travel to compare against if I start to feel the problem again.
Luckily I live in NJ where the Lemon Law specifies that after three unsuccessful attempts to repair the same problem, the consumer is entitled to a new car or refund. I'm a patient person, but with a new car I'd expect reliable breaks, especially after one repair attempt.
Mark
Today I took my car back in since the brakes were getter worse. The service manager wanted the mechanic to test drive the car, but the once the mechanic turned the key and pressed the brakes, he agreed there was a problem.
Comparing my brakes to the loaner car's brakes, my pedal travels about four inches before the brakes begin to engage, then it takes another couple of inches until I feel the normal resistance of the pedal stopping. On the loaner, the travel is only about an inch with another inch or less until I feel the normal resistance. It's like night and day, with my car requiring a lot of pressure to stop while the loaner requires little more than the weight of my foot.
I'll let you know what they try next to fix the problem. Also, I'll take Silver's advice and measure the pedal travel to compare against if I start to feel the problem again.
Luckily I live in NJ where the Lemon Law specifies that after three unsuccessful attempts to repair the same problem, the consumer is entitled to a new car or refund. I'm a patient person, but with a new car I'd expect reliable breaks, especially after one repair attempt.
Mark
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07-06-2006, 08:03 PM
#8
Mike's Silver Bullet
I live in Tucson, I've had a 6mt for a week plus 2 days now. When I picked it up, the brake pedal travel was about an inch or less. I was used to my Ford Expedition, and almost broke my nose on the steering wheel in comparison (not really, but the 6mt brakes were STRONG)
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
07-07-2006, 06:29 AM
#9
Now with i-Vtec
Originally Posted by sandynmike
I live in Tucson, I've had a 6mt for a week plus 2 days now. When I picked it up, the brake pedal travel was about an inch or less. I was used to my Ford Expedition, and almost broke my nose on the steering wheel in comparison (not really, but the 6mt brakes were STRONG)
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
You may also want to change out your stock fluid. I flushed my system with ATE Super Blue and so far my brakes are great. I had air in my lines as well. In my case I believe it was attributed to boiling the stock fluid. Good luck!
07-07-2006, 07:29 AM
#10
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Originally Posted by sandynmike
I live in Tucson, I've had a 6mt for a week plus 2 days now. When I picked it up, the brake pedal travel was about an inch or less. I was used to my Ford Expedition, and almost broke my nose on the steering wheel in comparison (not really, but the 6mt brakes were STRONG)
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
I drove it to San Diego for the long 4th of July weekend; on the way back, the pedal travel got low and mushy, it's about 3 inches of travel to get the thing to start stopping now. After the 600 mi break in I stretched it out a bit on I-8, but only for a minute or so. I haven't yet gotten on the brakes hard. I took it to the dealer this morning, he says he can't find anything wrong (they haven't done anything but drive it), but will look at it again tomorrow. At least I have a loaner. I'll ask about the master cylinder, and the ABS booster that was mentioned in another thread. I'll post the results.
I think you meant ABS modulator cause that's what they replaced on mine, and along with stock fluids, it's been good so far.
07-07-2006, 04:57 PM
#11
Cruisin'
Thread Starter
They put an ABS modulator in mine now too and so far it's been fine for the past two weeks.
The mechanic said he had asked around at the dealer and another mechanic went through the same troubleshooting process (tried bleeding the brakes , tried a new master cylinder, etc.) and called Acura, who recommended changing the ABS modulator. To confirm, the mechanic I was working with also called Acura and they suggested the same fix.
It seems to be a known issue. I would ask the dealer to change the ABS modulator and not waste your time & safety.
Mark
The mechanic said he had asked around at the dealer and another mechanic went through the same troubleshooting process (tried bleeding the brakes , tried a new master cylinder, etc.) and called Acura, who recommended changing the ABS modulator. To confirm, the mechanic I was working with also called Acura and they suggested the same fix.
It seems to be a known issue. I would ask the dealer to change the ABS modulator and not waste your time & safety.
Mark
07-12-2006, 08:02 PM
#13
Mike's Silver Bullet
The brake pedal still felt a little bit soft today.
I thought since they replaced the ABS modulator, there might be something going on with the ABS system.
I found a road that had sand on it and braked hard enough from around 20 mph to get the ABS to engage. It feels better now.
Maybe the ABS pump has to charge up the system somewhere?
Hopefully, now I'm all good.
I thought since they replaced the ABS modulator, there might be something going on with the ABS system.
I found a road that had sand on it and braked hard enough from around 20 mph to get the ABS to engage. It feels better now.
Maybe the ABS pump has to charge up the system somewhere?
Hopefully, now I'm all good.
07-18-2006, 11:23 AM
#14
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The dealer may have to bleed the brakes again. Typically on ABS equipped cars, the valves need to be cycled during the process to expel any air in that section. This is likely done with the car hooked up to the dealer's diagnostic computer.
You accomlished this by cycling the ABS on the sand. Give them a call & hold their feet to the fire.
You accomlished this by cycling the ABS on the sand. Give them a call & hold their feet to the fire.
06-18-2008, 03:58 PM
#16
there has been a service directive out on this issue for a while
ABS mod prob-
Go have a chat with the service MANAGER if yor car is doing similar ~sinking to the floor of the brake pedal.
ABS mod prob-
Go have a chat with the service MANAGER if yor car is doing similar ~sinking to the floor of the brake pedal.
06-18-2008, 04:07 PM
#17
AZ Community Team
Sounds like one of the three (?) ABD/VSA pressure relief valves are leaking. This is one of the potential failure mechanism of the ABS/VSA modulator and the worst. If any of the three valves are leaking then the applied brake pressure causes fluid to leak back to the non-pressure side. Good that you got a new ABS/VSA unit, they're like ~$800!
Originally Posted by MarkF786
They put an ABS modulator in mine now too and so far it's been fine for the past two weeks.
The mechanic said he had asked around at the dealer and another mechanic went through the same troubleshooting process (tried bleeding the brakes , tried a new master cylinder, etc.) and called Acura, who recommended changing the ABS modulator. To confirm, the mechanic I was working with also called Acura and they suggested the same fix.
It seems to be a known issue. I would ask the dealer to change the ABS modulator and not waste your time & safety.
Mark
The mechanic said he had asked around at the dealer and another mechanic went through the same troubleshooting process (tried bleeding the brakes , tried a new master cylinder, etc.) and called Acura, who recommended changing the ABS modulator. To confirm, the mechanic I was working with also called Acura and they suggested the same fix.
It seems to be a known issue. I would ask the dealer to change the ABS modulator and not waste your time & safety.
Mark
06-18-2008, 04:33 PM
#19
Go in and speak with the service MANAGER, they will know, or have immediate access to the info- as well as the Head Tech knows these things
Try a search here for ABS Modulator
Look on your acura.com account and see if there is any info
http://owners.acura.com/registration...erstepone.aspx
Call acura and ask if there is anything known about your brake prob. 1-800-382-2238 x5 6am to 5 pm pacific time
They will document your concern- tell you to take it to the dealer- and a real manager will call you if needed once acura gets to look at it.
There may be a ~secret waranty/goodwill~ on the parts --the dealer will know
Try a search here for ABS Modulator
Look on your acura.com account and see if there is any info
http://owners.acura.com/registration...erstepone.aspx
Call acura and ask if there is anything known about your brake prob. 1-800-382-2238 x5 6am to 5 pm pacific time
They will document your concern- tell you to take it to the dealer- and a real manager will call you if needed once acura gets to look at it.
There may be a ~secret waranty/goodwill~ on the parts --the dealer will know
08-19-2009, 11:54 AM
#20
Under construction
iTrader: (3)
quick question guys...
my pedal works fine and the car stops but while im pushing the brake pedal at a light it holds steady and then just drops like 1/2 inch. what could cause this?? the car doesn't move and i dont feel like the brakes release but im just curious about this lil drop when im holding the pedal steady.
thanks for all the help in advance
my pedal works fine and the car stops but while im pushing the brake pedal at a light it holds steady and then just drops like 1/2 inch. what could cause this?? the car doesn't move and i dont feel like the brakes release but im just curious about this lil drop when im holding the pedal steady.
thanks for all the help in advance
08-19-2009, 03:47 PM
#23
Luckily I live in NJ where the Lemon Law specifies that after three unsuccessful attempts to repair the same problem, the consumer is entitled to a new car or refund. I'm a patient person, but with a new car I'd expect reliable breaks, especially after one repair attempt.
Mark
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