brake problem

I am having a severe braking problem. My anti lock braking light is on. The brake pedal is extremely hard to press. The pedal goes down about an inch, but that is it. I changed all brake pads 3 months ago. Where should i begin with my troubleshooting?

this may sound really dumb, but a while ago i forgot to turn off my parking brake and all these symptoms happened. maybe check that?

lol, I did that first

check your brake fluid...the brake light will come on if your fluid is low...after you check your fluid bleed your brake lines....incase you dont kno how....jack her up and pull the wheels off....then have sumone pump the brakes a few times then have them hold the brake down....using a wrench open up the bleeder valve and fluid will come out then close it let off the brake and repeat 3 times or so...if air bubbles come out thats probably your problem....if its not that it could be your master brake cylinder or something which probably wouldnt be cheap

Does it pull any when you brake. If it does it is possible you have a line leak.

thanks for the help .

check your brake fluid...the brake light will come on if your fluid is low...after you check your fluid bleed your brake lines....incase you dont kno how....jack her up and pull the wheels off....then have sumone pump the brakes a few times then have them hold the brake down....using a wrench open up the bleeder valve and fluid will come out then close it let off the brake and repeat 3 times or so...if air bubbles come out thats probably your problem....if its not that it could be your master brake cylinder or something which probably wouldnt be cheap

The above will cause a spongy brake pedal. A hard brake pedal is normally from losing vacuum assist at booster.

I am having a severe braking problem. My anti lock braking light is on. The brake pedal is extremely hard to press. The pedal goes down about an inch, but that is it. I changed all brake pads 3 months ago. Where should i begin with my troubleshooting?



Could be ,you are in need of a power brake booster.

does the abs light come on as soon as you start the car or does it come on once you reach 30-35 mph?

i am having the exact same problem with my brakes and the anti-lock light comes on as soon as i start the car...what does this mean?????

An ABS light will come on for a few seconds and may stay on for a few to many seconds while the engine is running as the system does its self diag. If it stays on, you have a problem. If the fluid in the master cylinder is low it can cause it to stay on. A bad sensor on one of the wheels or even dirt on one of them may cause it. Many other things. Basically, unless the light seriously drives you crazy, don't worry about it. It most likely means that in a panic situation, the ABS won't work, your normal brakes will. And just so you know, ABS isn't all it's cracked up to be unless you know what it's limitations are. In corners, worthless. On ice or hard pack, worthless. On dry pavement, worthless. If you want reasons as to why it's worthless in the above situations, let me know and I can tell you.

My anti lock braking light is on. The brake pedal is extremely hard to press. The pedal goes down about an inch, but that is it...could this be an electrical problem?

A hard brake pedal typically means you have lost vacuum at the brake booster. Whether the booster itself is bad or the vacuum line to it or the connector.