Crunchy Brake pedal (teves)

[phoenix_flame220]

This started when I began driving this car in the spring. Every other time that I apply the brakes there is a sound like a perkolating coffee pot and the pedal surges and feels like im stepping on gravel. The pedal moves higher and higher until it clears and the pedal goes back down to normal. The car still stops but I dont know how it would respond to an emergency situation. The fluid is at the proper level and No ABS or BRAKE lights come on during this. They only come on when the system is discharged or if I keep pumping the pedal. It almost feels like the antilock is kicking in but not as consistent. Any ideas?

[MattStrike]

Are all 4 tires the same size?

[RJolly87]

You are describing what sounds like ABS engagement. If all tires are the same size, and inflated properly, you may need to have the system scanned because a wheel speed sensor may be getting a little funky and getting ready to go out.

You also may want to check the sensors, just to make sure there is no crap on the tone rings and no smutz jammed in the sensors.

Keep in mind, the system is not quite as smart as the newer stuff, so it may take a bit for it to set a code.

[phoenix_flame220]

I have a scanner that jumps 2 pins to make the abs light flash the codes, will that work? I have 4 new tires all the same size. The car gets a bit squirrely when this brake thing happens. Ill have to check the sensors.

[RJolly87]

The scanner only pulls any codes that are set. Because there is no ABS light yet, there is no code set, so that will not get you any where. Check the sensors, otherwise you will have to wait until it gets bad enough to set a code, or get it scanned real time and they should be able to tell you what the problem is.

The squirly is likely from the uneven braking due to the ABS intervention. Like I said, the ABS is simply thinking that one wheel is locking up when it really isn't. It just hasn't figured out there is a problem yet. When it does, it should set a code, you can pull the code, and see what the problem is. In the mean time, you can unplug a wheel speed sensor usually, and that would disable the system as then it would detect an obvious issue, and you would have no ABS until you got it figured out, but no hazard from the ABS intervention.

[phoenix_flame220]

I just went out and unplugged the abs controller fuse. The pulsing went away. Just the ABS light is on now. Ill have to take the wheels off and find out which sensor is dirty or not working anymore.