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Brake Failure Light


eggman5480

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I have a 1978 245 DL station wagon.I've put 4 rebuilt calipers and 2 brake hoses on the left front.Each time the brakes work for a few miles and then the brake failure light comes on and the car pulls to the right when the brakes are applied.Any ideas?

Do you have a spongy or soft brake pedal?

I'd put a wager on it being the master cylinder.

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I did replace the master cylinder.The pedal is not spongy,in fact as soon as I step on it the car starts to pull...Another strange fact---sometimes after sitting all night,the brake light will go out when I first step on it,and the brakes will work fine for several minutes!

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Well, obviously this is not the master cylinder or wheel cylinder, but it does sound like something to do with the dual-circuit nature of the braking system. I am assuming that you have allready checked over the whole system for leaks and damage to brake pipes ?

I'd be inclined to suspect the device which connects between the two brake circuits and has a switch in it which brings on the brake fail,light if the two circuits are out of balance. It is simply a sliding piston, with the pressure from each circuit on either side, which moves and operates a switch with a 'centre-off' arrangement. Ideally, when bleeding the brakes, the switch should be unscrewed and the piston locked in place. Otherwise the device can tend to give false indications.

I did replace the master cylinder.The pedal is not spongy,in fact as soon as I step on it the car starts to pull...Another strange fact---sometimes after sitting all night,the brake light will go out when I first step on it,and the brakes will work fine for several minutes!

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Yep, most likely Brake Distribution/junction block . Notorious for setting brake light warning light on.

Are you sure the system is bled properly. IE car brakes straight. no pulls etc...

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