Brake problem with my truck

**grouch0jr** · 11-20-2009, 07:27 AM

Ok, my truck is a '94 chevy 1500. I was sitting at a stop light close to my house, and suddenly my brake pedal offered a lot less resistance, and the brake warning light came on. the brakes still worked, but not as good, i had to push the pedal hard, and further than normal. since i was close to home i went back and parked it.

after reading the owners manual, the section for the brake warning light described the symptoms my truck had, and said "get it serviced".

I just had some work done to the truck (unrelated), so I dont want to take it back to the shop. anybody have a similar issue to this, or could give any tips on where to start trouble shooting?

**tep98ws6** · 11-20-2009, 07:51 AM

try pumping the brakes when your stopped like three times. you should get a little bit more vacuum back, if not, check your master cylinder. my dad had a similar issue with his 98 silverado ... he STILL hasn't gotten it fixed and the only thing i could think of was air in the brake lines or the booster or something.

**Smittro** · 11-20-2009, 07:53 AM

Check the booster vac line for disconnect or damage. Booster may also have let go.. Check master cyl fuild too. Also have someone push the peddle while you crawl around and check the lines for leaks. Pull the rear drums and check the wheel cylinders for damage and/or leaks too.. Hope that helps..

**Smittro** · 11-20-2009, 07:57 AM

Oh and check under the booster on the fire wall for fluid running down the fire wall.. Usually a good indicator of failed/failing booster.. May also run down the front of the booster aswell..

**GTP231** · 11-20-2009, 08:18 AM

New master(non reman iirc) does wonders for brake feel on that gen Chebby truck. With it being softer than normal I'm just gonna say its the master though I'd check the lines and wheel cylinders too

***SMWS6TA*** · 11-20-2009, 08:27 AM

Originally Posted by Smittro

Check the booster vac line for disconnect or damage. Booster may also have let go.. Check master cyl fuild too. Also have someone push the peddle while you crawl around and check the lines for leaks. Pull the rear drums and check the wheel cylinders for damage and/or leaks too.. Hope that helps..

Originally Posted by Smittro

Oh and check under the booster on the fire wall for fluid running down the fire wall.. Usually a good indicator of failed/failing booster.. May also run down the front of the booster aswell..

+1 Agree, also check your fluid. It may need to be changed out if it's the same fluid since it rolled off the assembly line.

**1MileCrash** · 11-20-2009, 08:31 AM

maybe a dumb question but i don't see that you mentioned this or not. does the truck have abs? if it does you may need to check the abs module and possibly the abs wheel sensors.

if not then do what everyone else is saying...vac line and booster.

**grouch0jr** · 11-20-2009, 08:53 AM

Originally Posted by 1MileCrash

maybe a dumb question but i don't see that you mentioned this or not. does the truck have abs? if it does you may need to check the abs module and possibly the abs wheel sensors.

if not then do what everyone else is saying...vac line and booster.

its got ABS in the rear

**Modulistic** · 11-20-2009, 08:56 AM

put your tampons away and push on the pedal like a man.

**grouch0jr** · 11-20-2009, 08:58 AM

Originally Posted by Modulistic

put your tampons away and push on the pedal like a man.

?
im not afraid to push the pedal, but when it doesnt stop nearly as good, there is something obviously wrong.

**Modulistic** · 11-20-2009, 12:35 PM

im jk man.

**86 IROC-Z** · 11-20-2009, 01:27 PM

Originally Posted by Modulistic

put your tampons away and push on the pedal like a man.

lol

My thirdgens pedal travels about 70% before braking occurs

**grouch0jr** · 11-20-2009, 01:33 PM

i wouldnt be concerned if it was always this way, but i was sitting at a light, and the pedal just dropped. hopefully ill have a chance to check the things suggested tomorrow.

**0rion** · 11-23-2009, 09:35 PM

sounds like you blew a line possibly. Check your fluid.

**2000SSM6** · 11-24-2009, 03:06 PM

I agree with replacing the master cylinder, even more so if it is the original and has a lot of miles. If not look for leaks, you can see just about all the points that leak except for the rear wheel cylinders(if it has rear drums). You will need to pull the rear wheels and drums to check this. After those disconnect the parking brake sensor's connector and see if the light goes off, if not disconnect the combination valve's sensor and see if goes off also. If either tests makes the light go off, that is where your problem lies. The combination valve is to the left of the master cylinder, you will see the sensor I'm talking about. You can try tapping lighty on it's housing with a punch, sometimes those sensors stick. If it goes out and comes back on after mashing the brake pedal, recheck your fluid level and bleed all 4 corners.

**grouch0jr** · 12-06-2009, 03:40 PM

ok, i so today i finally got around to checking things out. there doesnt seem to be any leaks. the brake fluid reservoir is full and i didnt see any drips or anything.
i think im just going to take it to a shop.