Hard pedal plan

[grw]

Thanks to all the posts out there I think have put together a decent plan below to try and fix my HARD PEDAL/NO BRAKE problem. I had poor brakes before and I just replaced A Ball now the hard pedal problem surfaced and I am hoping to have it fixed tonight so I can race Friday. Worst case scenario, its the PM gone bad and I wont be able to race this weekend but I am hoping I get lucky with one of the below. Your opinions of this methodology appreciated. Thanks

1- Check Fluid
2- Check fuses
3-Dielectric grease on all brake system connections
4- Verify switch is black and has been replaced by Dealer recall
5- Pump pedal 10 times with key off, start car and verify unit runs for 7 seconds.
6- Follow flow chart at http://www.gnttype.org/techarea/images/diagchart.gif
for further diagnosis.

Thanks Much!
Gary

 

[Black Car]

Wrong on #4. " Verify switch is black and has been replaced by Dealer recall".
The recall (replacement) is gray in color. Black was the original one that was to be replaced.

Gary

 

[subtlt]

quick guide

If you've replaced the ball with a known good one, then the only reason for a hard pedal is that the pump isn't keeping the system pressurized.

Check the fuse
- probably blown
- reason - pump is working full time instead of once every 2 minutes (per manual)
- reason - master is leaking internally, accumulator ball isn't up to snuff, or switch is shot. If the ball is good, and the switch turns the system off after 12-20 seconds (brake light off after 7, unit off after 12 - fully pressurized), the MC is leaking internally.

Check - remove resevoir cover. turn on ingition. system will pressurize (assumes good fuse). If the pump shuts off but comes back on before 2 minutes, watch for fluid flowing through the resevoir. If it's flowing, rebuild the MC - $38 for the kit from GM.

I suspect you'll find the culprit at this point. If fluid isn't flowing through the resevoir, it's either the accum ball (but we think it's OK) or the switch. This requires high pressure test equipment to check, so you'll have to suck up to someone with that equipment!

 

[grw]

Thanks all. Turns out I had the grey switch but none of the above solved the problem. Jack C overnighting me a bpswitch and I am hoping that fixes it. I will post results. Thanks