Brake question

[my95mark8]

Last Thursday morning, I got in my car to go to work, and the brake light came on as soon as I started the car. The car had sat unused for 1 day. The brakes seemed to work fine, pedal height felt ok, etc. I stopped one time, at the drive up ATM. I pushed the pedal, with a little extra effort, and it went to the floor, I let it back up, and it was fine, but the light was still on. Then, I stopped for gas, shut the car off while i filled up, turned it back on, and the light was OFF.
Any ideas? I am thinking the master cylinder is on it's way out.
P.S....the fluid was disgusting, blackish crappy looking.
Thanks.

 

[formerknown]

The fluid might be low. I had a similar situation with an intermittent ABS light that was cured by topping-off the brake fluid.

 

[my95mark8]

I hope that's all it is. Today, I sucked the fluid out of the reservoir, and replaced it.....

 

[04SSHD]

I hope that's all it is. Today, I sucked the fluid out of the reservoir, and replaced it.....

you may still have contaminated fluid in the lines, replacing the reservoir fluid should help but it may not completely solve the problem

 

[my95mark8]

you may still have contaminated fluid in the lines, replacing the reservoir fluid should help but it may not completely solve the problem

I should bleed the whole system, maybe this weekend. Any special instructions to bleeding this system?

 

[04SSHD]

I should bleed the whole system, maybe this weekend. Any special instructions to bleeding this system?

unless you have a bleeding tool... crack open the bleeder valves, fill the brake fluid and start pumping the old fluid out. Just make sure to keep the fluid full so you don't end up with air in the lines

 

[turborich]

Are you nuts! Keep that car! I would rather have that beauty over the mark VIII. That is a nice car!!! Which one is faster?

 

[98LSC32V]

Are you nuts! Keep that car! I would rather have that beauty over the mark VIII. That is a nice car!!! Which one is faster?

Is that a joke? Of course the Mark VIII is faster...

 

[04SSHD]

Are you nuts! Keep that car! I would rather have that beauty over the mark VIII. That is a nice car!!! Which one is faster?

are you talking to me?

 

[JMiles_T]

I should bleed the whole system, maybe this weekend. Any special instructions to bleeding this system?

The proper way to do it is to bleed each brake line at the calipers, then cycle the ABS system, then bleed the lines again.

To bleed your ABS system, you'll have to find a specialty tool to cycle the ABS pump. My '93 has a Teves IV ABS system and I believe the '95 has one as well. I bought one of these for my car. It's discontinued now, but they're easy to find on eBay for about $50.

You can get away with just bleeding the brakes the normal way, ignoring the ABS system but I preffered to do it right for once.

SpeedBleeders will help you bleed the system by yourself. I found them in the "Help!" section in PepBoys. The size needed is "M10 x 1.0" for all 4 calipers. The size on the SpeedBleeder webpage is incorrect.

 

[Frogman]

Start with rear Pass first. Bleed that, then go to Rear Driver. Then, Front Pass. Then finally, front Driver.

Having a helper and a 12 pack is a lot cheaper than some of those do it alone kits, IMHO.

 

[LSCGODDESS98]

Booster?..i Know On The 89,and 88 I Had Both Cars Had Brake Issues..lights Whould Be On N Shhhit...found Out That The Booster Was No Good..after Replacing It On Th 89..it Was All Good..but On The 93 To 98 Sorry If This Sound Stupid But Im Sure Theres A Booster There Right,..or Is It Another Mechinisum? Have You Checked Out Anyhting In That Area Of The Brake Sys?

 

[my95mark8]

I wouldn't know how to tell if the booster was bad. I looked around that area, didn't see any leaks or anything. Seems to be working ok for now....I'm keeping my fingers crossed for now.