No Brakes!

F

Ford4Life

LVC Member
Joined
May 21, 2013
Messages
11
Reaction score
0
Location
North Carolina
I have a 2000 Lincoln LS 3.9L. Recently, I have replaced the master cylinder, brake booster, anti-lock brake pump, and bled the lines. However, whenever I press down my brake pedal it goes straight to the floor. I have no idea what could be causing this. Please Help.
 
Did you replace all of those parts chasing this problem, or did the problem start after replacing the parts for some other reason?
Did you correctly bleed the master cylinder before attaching the lines? Did you correctly cycle the ABS module with a scan tool while bleeding it?
Is the fluid level remaining constant in the reservoir?
 
Did you bleed the system correctly (furthest first)? Did you bleed the system with the engine running? That makes it tons easier.
 
joegr said:
Did you replace all of those parts chasing this problem, or did the problem start after replacing the parts for some other reason?
Did you correctly bleed the master cylinder before attaching the lines? Did you correctly cycle the ABS module with a scan tool while bleeding it?
Is the fluid level remaining constant in the reservoir?
Click to expand...

I did these things chasing the problem. I bled the master cylinder before putting it in, I bled the ABS module but I didn't cycle it with a scan tool, and I bled the brakes at the calipers. Would not cycling the ABS module after installing it cause this?
 
Ford4Life said:
I did these things chasing the problem. I bled the master cylinder before putting it in, I bled the ABS module but I didn't cycle it with a scan tool, and I bled the brakes at the calipers. Would not cycling the ABS module after installing it cause this?
Click to expand...

I can't say for sure. It doesn't seem like it would be a severe as you describe.
 
It is very severe. I wouldn't even consider driving it on the road right now. Is there any type of relay or something that would be causing one of my new components to malfunction? The check engine light nor the ABS light is on.
 
Ford4Life said:
It is very severe. I wouldn't even consider driving it on the road right now. Is there any type of relay or something that would be causing one of my new components to malfunction? The check engine light nor the ABS light is on.
Click to expand...

Not as I know of.
When you bleed, do you get fluid pumped out at each wheel when you press the brake pedal?
 
You say you changed those parts chasing the problem, do you mean that before you started changing the parts your brake pedal would touch the floor? Did this happen randomly? All of a sudden it just wouldn't brake or it happened gradually over time? I'm just brainstorming here, but could a frozen/faulty caliper cause this? The only time I had something similar happen to what your describing happen is when I had the rear brakes changed and the person at the shop who did it actually broke the caliper turning mechanism (I'm not sure what it's called), causing it to seize. Once I got a new caliper the issue was resolved.
 
jjcool00 said:
You say you changed those parts chasing the problem, do you mean that before you started changing the parts your brake pedal would touch the floor? Did this happen randomly? All of a sudden it just wouldn't brake or it happened gradually over time? I'm just brainstorming here, but could a frozen/faulty caliper cause this? The only time I had something similar happen to what your describing happen is when I had the rear brakes changed and the person at the shop who did it actually broke the caliper turning mechanism (I'm not sure what it's called), causing it to seize. Once I got a new caliper the issue was resolved.
Click to expand...

It happened gradually. I don't think it is the caliper. It is like there is no brake pressure but there is also no leaks.
 
I had this issue after I changed my brake pads and forgot to pump the brake pedal to fill the calipers. The brake pedal hit the floor! And I was moving! Used the emergency brake to stop before I went thru the bushes. Pump your brake pedal, make sure the lid is secure on the brake fluid resevour. You have air in the lines or leaking fluid from some point in the system. Maybe its flushing out the rear of the master cylinder and you can't see it.

check your vac line to the brake booster.
 
Last edited:
When I pumped the pedal it held pressure but there is still no stopping power. Could this be caused by purchasing a defective master cylinder? I have bought new parts before from Autozone that didn't work. Should the vac line going into the booster be pulling a vacuum when the car is on or only when the brake pedal is pressed?
 
Ford4Life said:
When I pumped the pedal it held pressure but there is still no stopping power.
Click to expand...

Is there any grease or oil on the rotors or pads? Did you use a brake cleaner on the rotors before installing them?
 
Did you check all of the brake hoses to see if any are ballooning out?
 
No, could a bad caliper cause this. When I changed the pads a few months ago I noticed that the left front was wearing uneven. I didn't replace the caliper because I had just bought the car and everything was working great.
 
I don't know. I suppose it might. Rotors and pads way too thin might be suspect as well.
 
The rotors and pads are good. I am going to check that pad that was wearing uneven when I changed them and see if it is still doing it. If it is, I am going to replace that caliper. If something is messed up in the caliper I would think that it could cause the lack of pressure when I brake. I will also check the lines to make sure that there is no ballooning. I hope this fixes it because throwing money at this car has become a common event.
 
Seems a proper professional diagnosis would save money in the long run....

Ford4Life said:
The rotors and pads are good. I am going to check that pad that was wearing uneven when I changed them and see if it is still doing it. If it is, I am going to replace that caliper. If something is messed up in the caliper I would think that it could cause the lack of pressure when I brake. I will also check the lines to make sure that there is no ballooning. I hope this fixes it because throwing money at this car has become a common event.
Click to expand...
 
LS4me said:
Seems a proper professional diagnosis would save money in the long run....
Click to expand...

Professional diagnosis is why I have replaced all that I have so far. That is why I have turned to this website to get people who actually own the cars advice.
 
Ford4Life said:
Professional diagnosis is why I have replaced all that I have so far. That is why I have turned to this website to get people who actually own the cars advice.
Click to expand...

Might as well be nosy here...
Did this professional diagnosis come from (1) Ford/Lincoln dealer, (2) Independent local mechanic, (3) Firestone or other chain, or (4) other?

I once had a diagnosis from a dealer that I doubted (because that was what I had already tried before resorting to going to the dealer). I got the service manager to agree that if what they wanted to do didn't fix the problem for at least six months, they would do what ever it took to fix it at their expense. This was a brake problem too. One month later, and they replaced pads, calipers, rotors, and master cylinder, all at their expense. (The master cylinder fixed it, the pads and rotors were replaced because they were ruined by then. I guess the calipers were a just-in-case.) This was on a Grand Marquis.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Members online

Total: 1,183 (members: 1, guests: 1,182)
Back
Top