P38 Brake problem.

boycie · Feb 14, 2016

Hi Folks I have a problem with the brakes on my 1999 4.6 thor P38 .I only use the car at weekends as a rule when we take the dogs out ,when I first start the car on a Saturday the TC ,abs and handbrake light's are on if I press the brake pedal it's low but works , I leave the car running for a couple of minutes while we get the dog's in the TC light goes out let the hand brake off that light goes out and then drive a few feet ABS light go out and the brakes work fine .I am guessing (probably wrongly) the brake accumulator is empty when I first start the car, its the same on Sunday morning lights on brakes low for a few minutes then all ok .Should I change the accumulator or do most P38's do the same when they have been left standing .

quavey · Feb 14, 2016

It sounds fairly normal behaviour but you need to check that the pump is strong and the accumulator can store brake pressure.

So does the pump run every time you press the brake pedal? How long does it take for the pump to stop running after first start up?

boycie · Feb 14, 2016

I have'nt looked into that to be honest I will start the car tomorrow evening and see how long the pump runs for but I do know that the ABS light goes out after a few minutes when I start up maybe 3 or 4 .Thanks for the reply.

domino · Feb 14, 2016

Abs light goes out after driving above 5mph I think it is. That's normal.

boycie · Feb 14, 2016

Thanks domino now you mention it I can remember the same thing happening to the ABS light on my old Discovery 1.

brianp38dse · Feb 14, 2016

Domino is correct lights go out once the system has had time to collect data from wheel censer ie once it has moved.

wammers · Feb 14, 2016

TC lamp will go out when minimum working pressure is achieved, but pump will continue to run until max pressure is achieved. If car has been stood any length of time TC lamp could take up to 40 seconds to extinguish. Car should not be driven until TC lamp goes out. ABS lamp will go out when speed exceeds 5 MPH. You always check brake fluid level AFTER pump stops running, then top up to MAX line. After car has been stood for a period level will rise above MAX line this is normal.

boycie · Feb 14, 2016

Thanks for taking the time to reply folks . I will time how long before the TC light goes out tomorrow evening when I get back and post it on here ,gosh I can hardly wait .

boycie · Feb 15, 2016

Right just been out to the car put the key in and started the engine 35 seconds later the TC light went out so hopefully I have been worrying needlessly THANKS folks ,I think that Wammers is beginning to get the hang of these motors .

P38 Brake problem.

boycie

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quavey

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boycie

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domino

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boycie

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brianp38dse

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wammers

No longer with us, RIP

boycie

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boycie

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