Braking Problem

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Steve Ashworth

Active Member
Posts
419
I have a 2001 P38
A few times recently I have been going downhill and brakes partially failed.
Road conditions are good and dry but the car wont stop. ABS kicks in and stopping distance about 10 times longer than normal.
It is a bit scary. It's intermittent so no idea whan it will happen next.
A visual inspection doesnt reveal anything obvious.
Has anyone else experienced this and if so what was the diagnosis?

Thanks,
Steve
 
I agree with BoB.

Does this happen as you are braking and as you brake you happen to go over a bump or pothole in the road??

I had a fooked ABS sensor on my front drivers side and had the same thing as you, going along the road, coming to stop, as I was coming to a stop if I hit a bump/pothole in the road the ABS would kick in, ABS FAULT would show and stopping distance was greatly increased.

To get around the problem you have to come off the brakes immediately and then come straight back on them - this should allow you to regain braking control.

The other thing it might be is a sensor that has come unseated - make sure that all the ABS sensors are fully home and seated in their holes. You don't have a ABS FAULT message though and this usually comes up if a sensor is unseated.

Do NOT leave it in this state though - it's really quite dangerous.

Get it sorted ASAP.

-Wills :)
 
sounds like could be clicking pedal, does it feel even very sightly rough?
 
Thanks guy,
Sensors seem to be firmly seated and there is not a fault code showing.
When it happens I do take my foot off and reapply but makes little or no difference.
I am not sure about pot holes, certainly nothing majo, it has happened several times down the same hill so will check it out.
I have never noticed pedal clicking but will check - would it happen all the time or intermittantly.
I have had the car about a year and not personally changed fluid.
Cheers,
Steve
 
ZZR1200

my pedal clicks occasionally, usually if i havent used it for a while say after travelling down a long road for a while, when i brake before the corner i hear a clap sort of noise

know what it is?
 
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nah......its only your brakes! sorry,couldnt resist that lol.....its hard to diagnose a fault in a chat room but if and its a BIG IF im right then id just keep an eye on it and mention it next time service is due....lets face it.....it shows the ABS/brakes are doing their job
 
suppose so, nice one, due a service shortly anyway where the brakes will be changed
 
Most vehicle manufactures recommend that the brake fluid should be changed every 2years because it absorbs moisture from the air and causes brake fade which is what it could be!
 
my reply to any clicking is that you can de pressurize the brakes by disconnecting battery and pumping the pedal out.
Mine was horrendous and I only had the slightest click when pressurized and used normally
 
ZZR1200

my pedal clicks occasionally, usually if i havent used it for a while say after travelling down a long road for a while, when i brake before the corner i hear a clap sort of noise

know what it is?

If your vehicle was built before mid 1999, you should read this thread, you will have to make your own mind up depending on your vehicle symptoms.
 
hello,

I would say, that the clicking is a bleeding issue.
in rave, after the beeding chapter, this little note is printed:

"NOTE: If ABS pump makes a ticking noise
when running during this procedure,
repeat instructions 13. to 19. When the
bleed procedure has been successfully
completed, the ABS pump will not make any
ticking noises."

regards, Korkut
 
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