brake light question
 

I have a question about the brake warning light.

I just did a complete break job front and rear(pads calipers rotors etc.) on my 87 GN. Bled the lines and got all the air bubbles out of the accumulator ball. The only thing I didn't do is bench bleed. I have no leaks in the system from what I can tell.

The issue is that the break light comes on when I apply the breaks and then goes off again. If I press real slow it wont come on at all. I haven't taken it out on the road for fear of break failure, but testing it in the driveway it seems like it has a long stopping distance and very soft pedal.

I've bled and rebled the system and now I'm at a complete loss.....

Any advice??

Re: brake light question
 

The accumulator ball is a sealed system (with nitrogen under pressure), so not sure what you did there.

Sounds like it's bad now (classic signs of that are the brake light comes on when stopping quickly).

Re: brake light question
 

Have to checked the fluid levels AFTER doing the brake work, and after pumping the pedal (ignition off) 10-15 times to insure the levels are as high as can be?

Do you know how old the accumulator is?

Re: brake light question
 

The accumulator is stock im assuming. The fluid levels are fine after the pump down. The system worked before I did the break change, or seemed to.
The car was never mantained before I got it.

To remove the air from the ball i did a series of pumping up/down the system and allowed the air bubbles to escape untill the reservoir was clear and free of micro bubbles

Re: brake light question
 

I feared it was the accumulator ball, being that a new one runs about 180, and a new vacuum system is double that but less difficult to maintain. Now debating on replacing the system. Which blows because it means more down time. I've had the car for over 3 months and literally only drove it around the block. Seems like every time I fix one thing two more go bad!

Re: brake light question
 

So, a possibly 25+ year old wear part needs replacing. Not totally unexpected.
That could be a big part of the problem...

IMHO, I would not go vacuum if the ball was the only issue. A well maintained PowerMaster is a good system. A poorly maintained one is what everyone gets upset about. If you plan to care for it, I'd replace the ball. If you ever plan to drag race it, vacuum systems do not hold the car well at the line.