Pedal goes to the floor, brake light on

[ccookie66]

Hello everybody! My van has a new problem. I got in it a few hours ago to leave, and as I pushed to brake to shift from park, it went all the way to the floor and it brake light came on. Uh oh. I restarted the van, hoping it was maybe a computer problem, no use. When I push the brake, I hear a liquid sound under the van. It is dark, so I can't check it out until tomorrow. Did I just blow a brake line? Thanks.

[chevymaher]

In the morning see if there a puddle under it. Brake fluid stains dirt or concrete dark. And check your fluid level in the master cylinder.

[ccookie66]

Thanks Randy, I will check the ground tomorrow. Yeah, I did check the fluid a few days ago, had plenty. I'm pretty sure the lines where rusted bad. (Just like the fuel lines) So most likely it started leaking under there.

[chevymaher]

Yea it sounds like a line broke.

[Lumpy]

When checking the fluid level in your master cylinder, if you're not already aware...

The rear most reservoir, closest to the firewall, is the FRONT brakes.
The forward most reservoir, closest to the grille, is the REAR brakes.


Lump

[ccookie66]

Thanks Lumpy, didn't know that. I checked both, but didn't know which was which, so I just kept fluid in both.

[Ordale]

Man I'm happy it didn't break while traveling!!

[ccookie66]

I was just thinking that too Ordale! My emergency brake doesn't work. It could of been pretty deadly...I was about to drive on the freeway tomorrow too!

[Big_kid]

Damn- now I feel bad. The thought occurred to me the other day that if your fuel line was rusted to the point of leaking, your brake lines were probably not too far behind. Glad you weren't in a wreck because of it.

[ccookie66]

Yeah its pretty scary. How else would I stop? Try to engine brake? Or just coast to a stop? If they went while driving, I would most likely (Being a new driver and all) Avoid the car in front of me and go off the road.

[ccookie66]

Makes me think...maybe its a sign. Maybe I should fix the emergency brake in the Windstar too.

[chevymaher]

Yes ccookie use the transmission and downshift. Look far ahead to see if there is grass to bail into, as opposed to hitting cars people. Dirt and grass will slow you alot more than smooth road. Sounds silly but most important thing is not to panic, and think.

[ccookie66]

Thats what most people would do Randy. But sense I JUST got my licence, I think I would react differently. I think I would of just swerved all over the road, avoiding cars. Or just panicked and slammed it in park. (I'm not sure how that would work)

[RECox286]

It wouldn't work ! Perhaps it would work if we lived in a cartoon world, but not the real world. Downshift, use E-brake and look for

something soft (and cheap). Youth not withstanding, I've known other drivers that used their head for something other than a hatrack !

Uncle Bob

[chevymaher]

Find something solid to slow you down fast.

[ccookie66]

Ok. Its the rear brakes that don't work. Now, how do I change a brake line on this thing?! I can't even see them!

[chevymaher]

They run above the frame on the drivers side above the gas tank. Get a long line bend the end at the back so it will work. Then fish it through from the back till you can see it in the front. From there you should be able to get it. Just zip tie it to the other lines when your done. harbor freight has a brake tubing bender for 5 bucks works real well.

[ccookie66]

Hmmm, I'm kinda confused about which lines are which. Do you happen to have a diagram laying around? Thanks.

[chevymaher]

On the rear end 2 lines run to the center, a rubber line runs to the body. That is where you will attach the new line. In the front look at the ABS module coming from the brakes. There only one line running from that to the back. The line your putting in goes between those 2 points.

[ccookie66]

Why are the brake lines all coiled? How do I get those out?