brake servo failure?!?
Discussion
Last weekend I was about 20 miles into a 300 mile journey when the brakes failed. The handbrake light and ABS light came on together and the brakes were totally unassisted. The thing is they started working about an hour later and were perfect for another hour before doing exactly the same. This scenario was repeated a couple more times throughout the trip (luckily 95% was on the motorway). Does this problem seem familiar to anybody. It think it is servo related. Is there a check valve in the system anywhere that could be playing up and if so where is it? The car is a 1993 SE. Cheers in advance guys
Danny:
Yes, I had recent ABS trouble on my '91 SE that sounds a little similar to your problem. but not exactly the same. I drove for about 6 months with my ABS light on. I would liken it to driving without power assist, which isn't a big deal because I don't think that these electric assist units provide all that much assist. In my case it was the accumulator. I replaced it for about $175 USD.
We had a previous thread going on this topic at one time, but I looked for it and couldn’t find it. One of the fellows that provided a reply referred to a web site that had some good info on how to dianose, service and repair these and other similar units. I think that the site was actually intended for servicing the GM version of our ABS system. I printed several pages from this site and used them when I replaced my accumulator. I have them tucked in my Lotus Service Notes at home. I think that this site would be very helpful to you. I will try to remember to get the URL off of it tonight, and post it ASAP. In the mean time, you might screen some of the previous threads to see if you could can across it on your own.
Good luck…Walt
Yes, I had recent ABS trouble on my '91 SE that sounds a little similar to your problem. but not exactly the same. I drove for about 6 months with my ABS light on. I would liken it to driving without power assist, which isn't a big deal because I don't think that these electric assist units provide all that much assist. In my case it was the accumulator. I replaced it for about $175 USD.
We had a previous thread going on this topic at one time, but I looked for it and couldn’t find it. One of the fellows that provided a reply referred to a web site that had some good info on how to dianose, service and repair these and other similar units. I think that the site was actually intended for servicing the GM version of our ABS system. I printed several pages from this site and used them when I replaced my accumulator. I have them tucked in my Lotus Service Notes at home. I think that this site would be very helpful to you. I will try to remember to get the URL off of it tonight, and post it ASAP. In the mean time, you might screen some of the previous threads to see if you could can across it on your own.
Good luck…Walt
Walt, I would say mine is a little more than the comparison you made about driving without power steering. I would go as far as saying that it is undriveable around urban areas. It would probably take about 20+ seconds to brake from 60mph! Even so it could be the accumulator as you say. I' ll have to try to find those threads you mentioned, but you have given me a start thanks.
This post is timely, as I just drove a friends 90SE and realized what I was missing in power-assist! His has no ABS, just the vacuum assist unit. But, his power assist is real sensitive.
I have no ABS lamp on and no fluid leaks. When I turn the key on (with the car parked), I pump the brakes 6 times and the electric motor pump runs for 4 seconds. This is very consistent.
But, he commented when driving my car, that he was real concerned he'd even manage to stop it before reaching a stop sign at 30mph. To me it feels like non-power-assisted brakes. Yet, at coming to a full stop, I can certainly feel the ABS push against my foot a few times, so it appears it's working correctly. Is it really supposed to be that much of a non-power feel?
Thx
I have no ABS lamp on and no fluid leaks. When I turn the key on (with the car parked), I pump the brakes 6 times and the electric motor pump runs for 4 seconds. This is very consistent.
But, he commented when driving my car, that he was real concerned he'd even manage to stop it before reaching a stop sign at 30mph. To me it feels like non-power-assisted brakes. Yet, at coming to a full stop, I can certainly feel the ABS push against my foot a few times, so it appears it's working correctly. Is it really supposed to be that much of a non-power feel?
Thx
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