Bleed Brakes 2002 Silverado

I replaced all the brake lines on my 2002 Silverado 2500HD. Had a hard time getting the brakes to bleed, but finally was successfull. I think the truck has 10 miles of brake line! Anyway, got the brakes to bleed, but now I think the pedal is soft at the top. I read somewhere that a truck with antilock brakes, that you need to hook it up to a computer to actuate the anti-lock part to get a good pedal. Is this true? There are no brake lights on in the dash.

Monte Heeren
(515)238-4927

I read somewhere that a truck with antilock brakes, that you need to hook it up to a computer to actuate the anti-lock part to get a good pedal.
I have had my brakes bled the way you did it but the best way is to have someone with a good scanner with ABS capabilities bleed the brakes thru the computer...when I had it done with a scanner I noticed a big improvement.

Sonny01,
Thanks for the quick reply. I was afraid of that. Probably have to take it in to get the brakes bled. Seems weird, because I've been doin brakes for 18 years. I need to get one of those tools to bleed brakes on ABS cars. Any idea what they cost?

Monte.

I have looked and actually bought several scanners that say they decode ABS codes but they don't. I think the scanners that do are very expensive like $1000+. My local Marathon dealer has a scanner and they bled the brakes after replacing my ABS pump. The pump wasn't bad...when the bad EBCM which was under warranty was removed two of the SS screws broke off in the pump. It was under warranty too but not for broken screws. In four years I've had an ABS sensor replaced, a hub with sensor, two pumps and two EBCMs. That was on my 2000 with 114k miles...now I have a 2005 with 25K miles and I hope I don't have the same trouble.

Sonny01,
Thank you for the tip. I'll probably take it in to a shop to bleed the brakes.

Monte.

Use of a scan tool to bleed the system is mandatory only if the ABS unit runs dry.

OLD MASTER
Thanks for the tip. I replaced all my brake lines. When I disconnected the brake lines at the ABS, a lot of brake fluid came out. I'm assuming the ABS is dry. I read on one of these posts that the ABS system will actuate if you drive over 5 MPH. Then you wouldn't need a scan tool to bleed the brakes. I ran the truck over 5 MPH and did not hear any ABS noise. Think I still need a scan tool.
Monte

I read on one of these posts that the ABS system will actuate if you drive over 5 MPH.
I hope you aren't getting brake bleeding and a common problem these trucks have with the sensors in the hubs reporting different voltage and causing the ABS system to activate under 10MPH.
I have had my brake system bled without the use of a scanner and it worked but, then I had a scanner hooked up to check for ABS codes and they bled the brakes and they felt much much better.

Each time the key is turned to the RUN position, the ABS starts it's self test procedure. After the vehicle moves approximately 15 feet, (speed isn't taken into consideration) the wheel speed sensors and VSS are checked for proper output, and the ABS pump is activated momentarily. If the system passes the self test, the ABS light stays off. If there is a malfunction in the system, the ABS light will stay on, a DTC is set, and the ABS system is disabled.

If the ABS unit runs dry, the solenoid operated valves need to be manually activated with a scan tool to bleed the trapped air from the passages in the ABS unit.

Thank you for the reply.
This forum is priceless!

Monte