lisa

Hi P-car friends,
I have warning lights, ABS, brake pressure, exclamation point, and differential light on the lower console, not the guage (no warning bells). I have brake fluid being pumped into trunk. Someone said it sounds like a bad accumulator, but I read in Adrian's book that it could be the seal between the pressure switch and the pump. Also he gives different problems depending on the warnings received. I don't have a bell or horn, but all the lights are on, but the fluid is being pumped out of the reservoir.
I don't want to replace things I don't need to, but I am not sure how to track the culprit down.

Any help is greatly appreciated.

lisa

Now the warning lights are gone, but I have brake fluid still going in the trunk.

It started as a small puddle under the car where the drain empties, it has become increasingly worse, and now is enough that I carry brake fluid in the car.

Thanks for any advice.

Turbohead

Hi,
Take the carpet out. then turn key on. Once pump pressure come up see if you can find out where the leak is . It could be obvious.
Elliot

lisa

It's not a leak, the fluid is being pushed out of the overflow, and out the cap when I block the overflow. Almost like negative pressure rather than positive.

Thanks

Marc Shaw

Sorry, so is it leaking into the trunk or just behind the front/left wheel-well where the overflow tube drains onto the ground?

Marc

Indycam

Your car is spitting up brake fluid ?
The fluid is being displaced by air ?
If the pump is sucking in air and causing air to go into the fluid lines
then the fluid that is being displaced would have to get out via the overflow line or if the overflow line was blocked , the fill cap .

When does it spit up the fluid ?
Is it when the pump is running ?

lisa

The pump runs only on start up. I first noticed it as a puddle below the driver front wheel. Then I blocked the over flow just to see and now it leaks out the cap and runs down the wall of the trunk. I collects whether the car is on or off. I can clean the area and leave the car, the cap wiill fill and over flow into the trunk. While running it doesn't seem to speed up the process at all.
This is a C4 so not only the brakes are part of that system. No warning lights though. Just fluid.

Thanks

Turbohead

There may be a defective ABS hydro -booster. That is under the black plastic cover under the brake fluid res.

I have one if you need it . see pic.
Elliot

lisa

All of the various parts are expensive and I want to try and find a way to find the bad one... I don't know how. I have a pressure bleeder and have thought if I pressurize the system, a leak might appear? I doubt it will be a leak big enough though. I can only get about 20 lbs at the tank.
There is an o-ring between the pressure sensor and I think it could be as simple as that.
If I replace that and open up the whole system, will following Adrian's order of bleeding be sufficient?

Thanks

Indycam

Are you filling the reservoir when the car is running ?

lisa

Not filling car when running.

Indycam

Do your anti lock brakes work ?

If you start the car and let the pump run till its stops
and then step down on the brake pedal , how many times do you step down on the brake pedal before the pump turns back on ?

If you use the lock up switch , does the drive train lock up and then release when the speed gets up ?

lisa

I auto-crossed it and I hit the ABS, so yes it is working....???