02 Caravan brake problem

[ltljon]

Occasionally the pedal will go to the floor but will pump up a little (like what I remember a bad master cylinder doing) but may not do it again for days. I can't make it bleed down normally so I'm thinking that's not it. I get no lights coming on the dash so the dealership says theres no use to hook their machine to it. Fluids good, no leaks, pads/shoes are good & 99% of the time they work excellant. It's that 1% when you think you're gonna hit something that bothers me!
It has ABS & I hate to go replacing parts without knowing whats going bad.
Any of this sound familiar??
Thanks

[GTP Dad]

This sounds like a bad master cylinder. Even though you see no fluid externally it could be damaged internally and is causing this problem. I would have it checked by a mechanic as if it fails while you are driving it could cause an accident. I really don't think that this is ABS related especially since you don't have a CEL on for the ABS!

[ltljon]

Wouldn't a bad cylinder bleed down anytime you held pressure on the pedal or is that not always the case?
It's still the first thing I'm gonna replace since they're not as expensive as some other parts.

[gromittoo]

Originally Posted by ltljon

Occasionally the pedal will go to the floor but will pump up a little (like what I remember a bad master cylinder doing) but may not do it again for days. I can't make it bleed down normally so I'm thinking that's not it. I get no lights coming on the dash so the dealership says theres no use to hook their machine to it. Fluids good, no leaks, pads/shoes are good & 99% of the time they work excellant. It's that 1% when you think you're gonna hit something that bothers me!
It has ABS & I hate to go replacing parts without knowing whats going bad.
Any of this sound familiar??
Thanks

If you can go for days with no symptoms, then have the pedal go to the floor, you could have boiling brake fluid. A sticking parking brake on one wheel can do this. Possibly a bad wheel speed senor could also do this. Worst of all, you can go from having 100% brakes to no brakes in a matter of minutes! And anti lock brakes won't help you with boiled brake fluid.

Any time you have the brake pedal go to the floor, it is really dangerous. You should get it to a repair shop ASAP. If it were me, I would get it towed.

If you can't afford to have it towed, drive it to the repair shop on a cold day or night when there is little traffic. Stop periodically, and go to each wheel, and see if one wheel is getting hot. If you find one wheel getting hotter than the others, let it cool off!

[ltljon]

Originally Posted by gromittoo

If you can go for days with no symptoms, then have the pedal go to the floor, you could have boiling brake fluid. A sticking parking brake on one wheel can do this. Possibly a bad wheel speed senor could also do this. Worst of all, you can go from having 100% brakes to no brakes in a matter of minutes! And anti lock brakes won't help you with boiled brake fluid.

I checked the brakes with an Infared Thermometer, here's what I found: Front pads around 100 degrees each, left back (shoes) 68 degrees & right side 172! I guess this one is the problem but do you think it's dragging and/or would a bad sensor cause this?
Also the fluid in the master cyl. was 108 but I didn't check it til about 20 minutes after doing the other stuff & it could have cooled down some in 40 degree weather.
What should I do next, cable adjustment, shoes?
Thanks for any help.

[ltljon]

Update:

Rear wheel cylinder was shot & ruined the shoes but never made a sound like a dragging shoe usually does. Other side in great condition. Go figure.
Drum was galded to the hub & I ruined 2 lugbolts while beating with a hammer. Replaced all lugs in case I weakened the others.
All's well I guess! Maybe this will help someone else down the road.
Thanks for the replys.

[nathansmamma]

we had same problem changed master brake cylinder worked for 2 weeks same problem again was rear brake cylinder works great now

[nathansmamma]

we have big problem 1997 voyageur when we press brake pedal no brake lights when engine running all lights work hazzard lights turn signals all working can someone help please also changed switch beside brake pedal . Tested it in our other van to see if works also ckecked many fuses with tester all good stumped

[RIP]

If a thread is over 2 months old don't add to it unless you originally started it and want to post a fix for the problem or the original poster is continually asking questions. This year old + thread already had the fix posted.

Use a multimeter and check for power at the brake light sockets, brake switch, and fuse panel. Wherever it's missing look backwards in the circuit for the problem wire or component.