Discussion
Anyone had this before........?
Every now and then when the brakes are applied the pedal goes to the floor and a brake warning light and alarm go off. You can pump the brakes and the pedal gets hard again but will go to the floor again afterwards. When the car is stationary, the pedal feels normal and all warning lights stay off.
I checked the fluid and it’s black (really black) so bleeding the system will be the first thing i do this weekend.
Just seems weird that it’s intermittent.........car is a cv8 with vxr brakes.
Every now and then when the brakes are applied the pedal goes to the floor and a brake warning light and alarm go off. You can pump the brakes and the pedal gets hard again but will go to the floor again afterwards. When the car is stationary, the pedal feels normal and all warning lights stay off.
I checked the fluid and it’s black (really black) so bleeding the system will be the first thing i do this weekend.
Just seems weird that it’s intermittent.........car is a cv8 with vxr brakes.
sounds like the fluid has had it if it is black then changing it is the place to start as it will probably be past its best if you put your foot on the brake when the ignition is off does it stay hard or gradually creep down also keep you foot on the brake and while in neutral start the car, the pedal will move down slightly and get hard again that is the servo working correctly if it goes to the floor it could be seals in the master cylinder, but do the fluid change first before changing the master cylinder just to rule that out, use DOT 5.1 fluid
Hello Mark,
If the fluid’s black then that’ll be the issue. I never changed it when I owned the car and it sat a lot not being used, not sure when Ben last did it either. As has already been said I’d start with the fluid, possible reason for the pedal going to the floor could be moisture in the brake fluid, like I said it sat a lot not being used. I didn’t use the car at all for 6 months over the winter and you’re probably giving it some stick as it’s new to you.
Cheers
Dave
If the fluid’s black then that’ll be the issue. I never changed it when I owned the car and it sat a lot not being used, not sure when Ben last did it either. As has already been said I’d start with the fluid, possible reason for the pedal going to the floor could be moisture in the brake fluid, like I said it sat a lot not being used. I didn’t use the car at all for 6 months over the winter and you’re probably giving it some stick as it’s new to you.
Cheers
Dave
I had this when there was a leak at one of the calipers. Think as fluid got out and air got it it would get to a point in the system there was a sensor. Peddle went soft a an alarm sounded with abs/brake symbol on dash.
It was weeping at the caliper end of the brake hose. New copper washers and tightened up and it was fine after.
Sounds like you may have a leak somewhere? Any signs of fluid under car or on inside of wheels?
It was weeping at the caliper end of the brake hose. New copper washers and tightened up and it was fine after.
Sounds like you may have a leak somewhere? Any signs of fluid under car or on inside of wheels?
Checked the tears today and all ok but couldn’t get the front up in the air as it’s too low to get on the ramps 😡
Will pick up some scaffold boards tomorrow so I can get underneath it. Slight weeping around the master cylinder though which is a bit of a worry.
Can someone tell me why there is a smaller reservoir next to the main one please?
Will pick up some scaffold boards tomorrow so I can get underneath it. Slight weeping around the master cylinder though which is a bit of a worry.
Can someone tell me why there is a smaller reservoir next to the main one please?
Mezzell said:
Checked the tears today and all ok but couldn’t get the front up in the air as it’s too low to get on the ramps ??
Will pick up some scaffold boards tomorrow so I can get underneath it. Slight weeping around the master cylinder though which is a bit of a worry.
Can someone tell me why there is a smaller reservoir next to the main one please?
The small reservoir is the clutch fluid. Chances are its filthy.Will pick up some scaffold boards tomorrow so I can get underneath it. Slight weeping around the master cylinder though which is a bit of a worry.
Can someone tell me why there is a smaller reservoir next to the main one please?
My brake master cylinder started leaking between the plastic tank and the main body. I thought it best to replace the whole unit rather than trying to source seals due to age/mileage.
I sourced a brand new genuine BMC and fitted myself - pretty easy real.
the clutch fluid side of things , use a little syringe to suck it all out , refresh with new fluid pump the clutch about 30 times suck the new fluid out keep doing that till the fluid is clear also at the bottom of the reservoir will be a build up of black muck use a rag to wipe it out , brakes wise if fluid level has not gone down then probably not a leak involved , from memory when bleeding start with calliper furthest from the servo and work your way in , two people and a bleed kit about 10£ from halfords etc , no offence i’m assuming you’ve bled brakes before it’s a very easy process just be careful you don’t brake the bleed nipples so a can of wd40 on any that are a bit tight , fingers crossed
Sorry Matt!! 
I didn’t mean that as a dig mate! Glad everything’s ok now,
as I said just bleed the brakes and it’ll be fine. I would imagine that it was moisture in the brake fluid not air if the pedal went down and could then be pumped up to solid again as water can be compressed and brake fluid can’t be, but I’m sure you already knew that. And like I said it sat all winter in my parking bay and didn’t move once so likely to have had moisture ingress over the cold months. As for the clutch, it’s got a remote bleed on it that was done when the LS7 clutch was fitted.
Cheers
Dave
I didn’t mean that as a dig mate! Glad everything’s ok now,
as I said just bleed the brakes and it’ll be fine. I would imagine that it was moisture in the brake fluid not air if the pedal went down and could then be pumped up to solid again as water can be compressed and brake fluid can’t be, but I’m sure you already knew that. And like I said it sat all winter in my parking bay and didn’t move once so likely to have had moisture ingress over the cold months. As for the clutch, it’s got a remote bleed on it that was done when the LS7 clutch was fitted. Cheers
Dave
Edited by Aitch H on Sunday 20th October 15:44
Mezzell said:
Pedal feels nice and firm and brakes are good (well as good as Monaro VXR brakes can feel)
If you decide the car is a keeper than strongly consider the AP kit, had mine fitted in June and they are brilliant.very strong, but progressive with excellent feedback too. Very confidence inspiring with these on.
No worries Dave. Just trying to find my feet as never really owned anything like this before. It’s nice to have forums like this with people who are happy to share their knowledge. I’m particular about my cars and although my own knowledge is fairly limited, I’m keen to learn and have lots of things I want to do to make the car perfect to me.
Mezzell said:
And yeah, the car is definitely a keeper and on the whole I’m happy apart from a few things that need tidying up. So yes, the next big thing on the list is the AP brake kit!!
I'd suggest taking the engine back to stock, as yours will be too powerful even for the AP kit! 
I have a really good standard one in mine and would be happy to do a straight swap if it helps?
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