Symptom Troubleshooting Chart - Conventional Brake System: Notes

CONVENTIONAL BRAKE SYSTEM - SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART

Problem	Possible Cause	Action
Brakes Pull or Drift	Tire air pressure Wheel alignment Brake pads Brake shoes and linings Brake components Suspension component	See BRAKE SYSTEM PINPOINT TEST 1: BRAKES PULL OR DRIFT .
Red Brake Warning Indicator Always On	Circuit Parking brake switch Brake fluid level switch Instrument cluster 4-wheel anti-lock brake (4WABS) module	See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER DIAGNOSIS .
Brakes Lock Up During Light Brake Pedal Force	Disc brake component Drum brake component Parking brake component Anti-lock brake control system Fluid control valve	See BRAKE SYSTEM PINPOINT TEST 2: BRAKES LOCK UP DURING LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL FORCE .
	Disc brake caliper Drum brake components Parking brake component 4-wheel anti-lock brake (4WABS) module	See BRAKE SYSTEM PINPOINT TEST 3: EXCESSIVE/ERRATIC BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL .
Brake Pedal Goes Down Fast	Brake fluid level	Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir. Bleed the system. See BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING/BENCH BLEEDING .
	Air in system	Bleed the system. See BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING/BENCH BLEEDING .
	Brake master cylinder	Perform the brake master cylinder component inspection. See BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT INSPECTION .
	Normal anti-lock brake function	No action required.
The Brake Pedal Eases Down Slowly	Air in system	Bleed the system. See BRAKE SYSTEM BLEEDING/BENCH BLEEDING .
	Brake master cylinder	Perform the brake master cylinder inspection. See BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT INSPECTION .
	Normal anti-lock brake function	No action required.
Brakes Drag	Parking brake component	Repair or replace parking brake components as necessary. See SYMPTOM TROUBLESHOOTING CHART - PARKING BRAKE .
	Disc brake caliper	See DISC BRAKE CALIPER, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY . See DISC BRAKE FRONT, REMOVAL/INSTALLATION .
	Drum brake component	See BRAKE DRUM INSPECTION . See BRAKE DRUM, REAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . See BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS ADJUSTMENTS .
	Brake master cylinder	Perform the brake master cylinder inspection. See BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT INSPECTION .
Excessive Brake Pedal Effort	Power brake booster Power brake booster check valve Power brake booster hose	Perform the brake booster component inspection. See BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENT INSPECTION .
Red Brake Warning Indicator Inoperative	Circuit Bulb	See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PINPOINT TEST 17: DOOR AJAR WARNING INDICATOR DOES NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY .
Brake Noise	Disc brake component	Machine or replace as necessary. See DISC BRAKE FRONT, REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . See DISC BRAKE CALIPER, FRONT DISASSEMBLY/ASSEMBLY .
	Drum brake component	Repair or replace as necessary. See BRAKE DRUM, REAR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION . See BRAKE DRUM INSPECTION . See BRAKE SHOES AND LININGS ADJUSTMENTS .