My van is posessed...

Joni · 03-21-2008, 05:31 PM

No one knows what's wrong with the brakes. It's been in twice, the tech even drove it over the weekend. But he never got it to act up.
I have a 96 Windstar. I drive it everyday and intermittently when you step on the pedal, it does a little shimmy( like the ABS is kicking in), depresses a little more, than you stop.Now it has started to make a noise that I can only describe as reminding me of the sound of a large spring! Everything looks fine to the tech and I do trust him. The ABS system shows up as OK also. No warning lights ever come on. Fluids fine.
I'm starting to be a little afraid of it and I really don't want to buy another vehicle.
Does anyone have any ideas at all. They would be much appreciated.

cardoc · 03-21-2008, 07:33 PM

Does it only happen while hitting the brakes very easy.Can you get it to happen while sitting still in park?
Is the noise from a wheel area or under the dash or hood?
Cardoc

Joni · 03-22-2008, 10:26 AM

I do press the peddle down carefully when approaching a stop sign, ect. and I'm already going pretty slow anyway. I'm afraid that they are going to fail. When I have had to brake quickly, it's never happened. The sound seems to come from under the dashboard.

cardoc · 03-22-2008, 04:11 PM

It may be the master cylinder fading.See if you can get it to do it sitting still be pressing the pedal very gently.If the pedal fades under the weight of your foot the seals are going bad in the master cylinder,although you may not hear the noise because you're not moving so the ABS in not working.This may take several tries,it almost takes an experienced foot.
Cardoc

**mack1** · 03-22-2008, 04:56 PM

Hi Joni,
I suspect your ABS system. That's both good and bad. Good part is that if it fails, your brakes will act normal except you will be able to lock up the brakes if you press really hard on the foot pedal. Works just like they did before ABS.
Bad part is they are often expensive to repair.
There is a pump inside the ABS unit that comes on when signals from the two front wheels and from the back wheels(or speed ometer signal) don't match. Like one wheel is locking up. That pump can be felt like as a vibration in the foot pedal. You said little shimmy, probably talking about the same thing.
Also, before it became called parking brake, it was called emergency brake. That will still work if your brakes fail.
All in all, I wouldn't buy a new car because of that problem. If it gets worse, you will probably get an ABS warning light on the dash panel.

Not a solution, but might ease your mind.
Mack1

Joni · 03-23-2008, 10:29 AM

You guys are awesome, THANKS! I'm going to copy your responses and show them to the tech.
Have a nice Easter:)

03-21-2008, 05:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joni Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	My van is posessed... No one knows what's wrong with the brakes. It's been in twice, the tech even drove it over the weekend. But he never got it to act up. I have a 96 Windstar. I drive it everyday and intermittently when you step on the pedal, it does a little shimmy( like the ABS is kicking in), depresses a little more, than you stop.Now it has started to make a noise that I can only describe as reminding me of the sound of a large spring! Everything looks fine to the tech and I do trust him. The ABS system shows up as OK also. No warning lights ever come on. Fluids fine. I'm starting to be a little afraid of it and I really don't want to buy another vehicle. Does anyone have any ideas at all. They would be much appreciated.

03-21-2008, 07:33 PM	#2 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: My van is posessed... Does it only happen while hitting the brakes very easy.Can you get it to happen while sitting still in park? Is the noise from a wheel area or under the dash or hood? Cardoc

03-22-2008, 10:26 AM	#3 (permalink)
Joni Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: My van is posessed... I do press the peddle down carefully when approaching a stop sign, ect. and I'm already going pretty slow anyway. I'm afraid that they are going to fail. When I have had to brake quickly, it's never happened. The sound seems to come from under the dashboard.

03-22-2008, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
cardoc Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Ct. Posts: 198 OS: win xp sp2	Re: My van is posessed... It may be the master cylinder fading.See if you can get it to do it sitting still be pressing the pedal very gently.If the pedal fades under the weight of your foot the seals are going bad in the master cylinder,although you may not hear the noise because you're not moving so the ABS in not working.This may take several tries,it almost takes an experienced foot. Cardoc

03-22-2008, 04:56 PM	#5 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 1,245 OS: xp sp3 My System	Re: My van is posessed... Hi Joni, I suspect your ABS system. That's both good and bad. Good part is that if it fails, your brakes will act normal except you will be able to lock up the brakes if you press really hard on the foot pedal. Works just like they did before ABS. Bad part is they are often expensive to repair. There is a pump inside the ABS unit that comes on when signals from the two front wheels and from the back wheels(or speed ometer signal) don't match. Like one wheel is locking up. That pump can be felt like as a vibration in the foot pedal. You said little shimmy, probably talking about the same thing. Also, before it became called parking brake, it was called emergency brake. That will still work if your brakes fail. All in all, I wouldn't buy a new car because of that problem. If it gets worse, you will probably get an ABS warning light on the dash panel. Not a solution, but might ease your mind. Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here

03-23-2008, 10:29 AM	#6 (permalink)
Joni Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP	Re: My van is posessed... You guys are awesome, THANKS! I'm going to copy your responses and show them to the tech. Have a nice Easter:)