Question-------------------------
Followup To
Question -
My 91 Chevy Van had brake lines run from left to right in an area where debris gathered. The lines rusted and both burst the same day. I was barely moving but to control the vehicle, I used the emergency brake. I replaced the lines, added fluid and now wonder why I can't get the brake light to go out. I bled the brakes by opening the bleeders (one by one) and put pressure on the brake and then closed the bleeder and then releasing the brake.
Is this the proper procedure? Could something have happened when I used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle that won't let the light go out till I repair something else?
Your help is appreciated.
Answer -
Generally speaking, you bled it correctly, if you got clean, airless fluid from each cylinder.
Then open one of the bleeder screws on the other end of the vehicle, and allow enough fluid out, as if you were bleeding, to center a little switch controller. Just till the light goes off.
Van
Thanks, I'll try that. How do you keep the fluid out of the brake housing when you bleed them? Maybe a little hose or something to guide it away? Also, since my brake lines were broken two places, I probably have a lot of air in line, maybe I was too conservative with bleeding. I should open one rear brake bleeder and let major fluid to bleed out till that controller switch gets centered, right?
AnswerHi Doug,
You didn't say if the broken lines were front or rear, but to center the switch, you do the other end, so if you replaced front lines, and bled them, then you need to open a rear till the light goes off.
Make sure the parking brake isn't applied, since it often uses the same light.
A little hose into a bottle of fluid is a good idea to keep from sucking air back in, but I like to lightly hold my finger over the tip of the bleeder, to allow fluid out, but act as a check valve when the pedal is released.
I always like to tighten the screw while someone is slowly pressing the pedal so that fluid is flowing out as I tighten it.
As for keeping fluid out of the housing, the bleeder screws usually have the fluid clear away from brake contact surfaces.
I still spray them liberally with brake parts cleaner after bleeding.
And make sure the master cylinder NEVER runs low on fluid as you are bleeding, or air will be sucked in, and your bleeding was wasted, and must be redone. If you have an extra person, assign him or her to just keep the master cyl reservoir topped off, and covered so fluid doesn't squirt out the top.
A side note...don't drip brake fluid on the paint, or plastic finish. It will damage it immediately.
Van
