Lil Blue Coupe

ok, so I took the plunge and decided to remove the EBCM myself and then depending on how that went I would determine if I would be able to put the refurb back in... was happy to see I was able to get it out in about 30 min but I think I may have a shop put the refurb in, not sure I want to chance cross threading those connectors on reassembly.

anyways, the bigger issue is now that its out I've got no brakes ... pedal goes all the way to the floor!!

I could have swore that I was reading the unit can be out of the car and it could be driven while waiting to send off and get back the refurb... just wouldnt have the ABS and traction control functions, but since the unit was bad it would be no dif than I've been driving it recently

help!! would be most grateful for any insights ...please be nice, I feel like an idiot already


-Mark

Smoken1

If you took the whole unit out YOU have no brakes! Most ppl just remove the electrical part
6 Torx screws hold it to the EBCM

JR-01

This is all you should have removed with 6 screws and there are no brake lines to disconnect, only electrical connections. With only this part removed you would still have brakes.

You may have a big mess on your hands.

Smoken1

Yup and your gonna need a Tech2 to bleed the brakes properly

Lil Blue Coupe

thanks guys... well that explains it, I guess I removed the whole freakin' enchilada ... rats!

so if I remove those 6 torx screws and pull off\separate that section that I need to send to ABSFixer, maybe I could attempt reattaching that unit and be driveable, or have I created a bigger situation that it needs to do to the shop for calibration?

so the piece I am sending in to repair is the EBCM... whats the huge unit its attached too called?

what a dunce

-M

JR-01

ABS modulator valve. Don't worry. You did make more work for yourself, but it can all be put back together again.

Smoken1

Thats you whole ABS module, what codes did you have and what yr is your car?

Lil Blue Coupe

ok, the BPMV, I think I recall the shop mentioning that acronym, thanks 8VETTE7 & JR-01

it is a 2004 CE

I have the ABS and traction control indicators lit up on the DIC, there is a C1214 code


-M

Lil Blue Coupe

unfortunately I don't have a multi-meter... but that is interesting, I may have an issue with the ignition switch, possibly?

-M

Lil Blue Coupe

ok, probably just wishful thinking here but when the car is off the brake pedal feels normal... its when it starts up the pedal goes 'limp'... since I haven't leaked any brake fluid, or I don't think I have, so I shouldnt have any air in the system, only leaked a little coolant... can't I reattach the BPMV and get brakes back?

-M

Smoken1

Umm Coolant? You may have some brakes but until is is bled with a Tech II you will have air in the system

~Josh

You broke the hydraulic brake lines loose. There's air in the system. It all needs to be bled. Not only at all 4 wheels, but at a dealership with a Tech2 that can operate the ABS modulator to get air out if it as well.

First step is getting the EBCM portion rebuilt, get it back together, then bleed the brakes and *maybe* you will be okay otherwise it's dealership time for the Tech2.

Lil Blue Coupe

ya, that makes sense, lines were removed and pedal pumped, must have leaked some fluid and got some air in there... oh well, lesson learned for me

I guess I will leave it as is and send off the EBCM for repair and once I get it back, reattach it to BPMV while its still off car then reattach the whole unit... in the mean time I'll try to line up some help to get the brakes bled once I have everything back together. Hopefully someone in the area can help but worst case scenario I can have AAA take it to a shop down the road for the brake bleeding.

what can a guy expect to pay for the brake bleeding?

I'm bummed I boinked the job but I guess I need to keep it in perspective, the dealer was quoting $1,100 for the part + 2-3 hours labor putting that around $1,500... as long as its not more than $900 to bleed the brakes I should break even or be a little ahead LOL

thanks for all your guys quick feedback!

-M

JR-01

Best to change out the fluid while you're at it. I would think doing that and bleeding the brakes should not cost more than $300.

duramaxsky

If the ECBM is bad the tech 2 may not bleed the brakes either.

Lil Blue Coupe

good point, prob a good idea to change the fluid while doing this... I just made a call to a shop down the road and he said to bleed the brakes it would be about $75 but I didn't ask about changing the fluid though

any fluid recommendations other than replace same for same?

-M

JR-01

$75 seems low for bleeding an ABS system. They are going to have at least an hour in it from start to finish. Is it a GM dealership and did you tell him it's a Corvette?

Lil Blue Coupe

thats an interesting point too because I just got cleaned up and am sitting here thinking about my next step and have the thought that if I put the BPMV back on, then bleed brakes, I could be driving it until the refurb EBCM gets to me... do I need a working EBCM on the car to bleed the brakes properly?

-M

Lil Blue Coupe

ya, I was pretty happy when he quoted the $75, but not a dealership, its a reg\generic shop that I've used to work on my older Suburban a couple times over the years... but I did tell him its a 2004 C5

maybe I need to call around and get some comparisons

is there anything I should be clear about, like ABS, 2004 Corvette?

-M

Slo Yelo C5

$75 seems cheap. Two separate Corvette shops quoted me at $125 and $140, if I recall.