Brake fluid leak - proportioning valve - Need Help!

[Mbriggs]

98 caravan 3.3 w/105k miles.

My brake idiot light went on last week and I found that the fluid was low. Finally got it up on the ramps today and found that what Haynes calls a proportioning valve is leaking. Doesn't seem to be the connections, the valve itself seems to be leaking, but it's hard to see because it's the valve closest to the mounting bracket. Is this something that normally goes with time? How much of a pain is it to replace?

Thanks!!!!

[Stevo2]

I have never seen a "bad" valve although I have seen many people replace them and it did not fix the problem. Flush off the valve and lines with spray carb cleaner. Trace the line/s that go from the master cylinder chamber that is low on fluid to the valve. Check the connections here, also check to make sure the master cylinder is not leaking and allowing a small amout of fluid to travel down the metal lines and making it look like the valve is leaking.

[Mbriggs]

Thanks for the advice.
I had it up on ramps, wiped the area dry, then had my wife step on the brakes. Fluid came out between the valve and the bracket. The lines seemed dry. I'll do it again and put a paper towel around the lines and see if it stays dry.

[gbeach]

i am now leaking brake fluid after replacing the master cylinder, and i can't figure where it is coming from. it looks like it is dripping at the bottom of the master cyl. but i can't tell where it is coming from. wondering if i have a bad master cylinder

[Mbriggs]

Got it up on a lift today and it's definitely the proportioning valve, as all the lines and joints are dry. So now I need to find one in a junk yard as it seems to be a dealer only part. Anyone have any tips beyond what's in the Haynes manual for bleeding brakes?

Thanks

[Mbriggs]

Forgot to report the fix. So over two years latter.......

The dealers I called said that this goes so often that they have trouble keeping them in stock. Finally found one for $59, easy installation, long time to bleed, still working fine!

[Robertmchenry]

Thanks for the update, Even if it's 2 years old!