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Yet another brake bleeding question...

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Old Sep 22, 2004 | 11:18 PM
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Default Yet another brake bleeding question...

I've had my share of troubles over the past week or so with my brakes. I believe that I had air in the ABS portion of the braking system. Feeling a little courageous, I went out and performed a half dozen ABS stops. Now the pedal feels firmer, but still not quite as firm as I'd like. As a result, I know that I need to re-bleed each caliper.

I've read that after performing the ABS stops, don't turn off the engine while re-bleeding each caliper. What is the reason for this? I've also read to cycle the ignition from off to on. Can anyone explain either of these theories?

TIA.

P.S. I'm reluctant to bring my car to any of the local Chevy dealerships. I have not had good luck in the past.
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 07:27 AM
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I've heard that turning or keeping the ignition on keeps the ABS module activated and allows you to bleed it with the rest of the system but it's never been confirmed. I would think the ABS valves would remain closed anyway unless they were actually functioning.
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 10:15 AM
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You will bleed all day long if you don't have the key in the on position. Do that and reblead and you should be set.
Good luck,
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:00 AM
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Originally Posted by Chris@SpeedDemon
You will bleed all day long if you don't have the key in the on position. Do that and reblead and you should be set.
Good luck,

Chris,

What happens with the key on? I bleed the system, and others, quite frequently with the key off and always get a very firm pedal. I haven't seen anything in the manual about leaving the ignition on?
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Richin Chicago
Chris,

What happens with the key on? I bleed the system, and others, quite frequently with the key off and always get a very firm pedal. I haven't seen anything in the manual about leaving the ignition on?
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:10 AM
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You do have to have the ignition on when you perform the ABS automated bleed with the Tech II tool. But that's the only place Helm's instructs to turn the ignition on. In the manual and pressure bleeding procedures, the sm instructs you to leave the ignition off.
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 11:15 AM
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Originally Posted by Patches
You do have to have the ignition on when you perform the ABS automated bleed with the Tech II tool. But that's the only place Helm's instructs to turn the ignition on. In the manual and pressure bleeding procedures, the sm instructs you to leave the ignition off.
That is my take also. In fact you just get another trouble code with the ignition on due to low brake pressure.
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 01:56 PM
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Originally Posted by HeadsUp
P.S. I'm reluctant to bring my car to any of the local Chevy dealerships. I have not had good luck in the past.
I hate to say it, but this is a safety issue and you should take it in for service. Best case scenario, you get a firm pedal yet still have old fluid or air in the ABS. Worst case scenario is brake failure when you need them. Bite the bullet and take it somewhere you can hang around and watch. This is only a brake job, take it to midas or carX. It can't cost too much to bleed the system and you can even bring your own fluid.
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 02:56 PM
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With a pair of reading glasses, a Helm's Manuel , a large hammer, a fingernail file, and some bubblishous gum you can do way more than most dealerships..
OH yeah and a monkey wrench
You chew the gum ... gezzzzzzzzzzzz
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Evil-Twin
With a pair of reading glasses, a Helm's Manuel , a large hammer, a fingernail file, and some bubblishous gum you can do way more than most dealerships..
OH yeah and a monkey wrench
You chew the gum ... gezzzzzzzzzzzz
Add a Sawzall and some lighter fluid and you can really go to town
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Old Sep 23, 2004 | 09:16 PM
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I have done 30+ bleeds/flushes on my/other Z06s with the key off, no problems.

The GM manual says on 01 and newer vettes the bleed order is rr,lf,lr and rf. on 00 and older is rr,lr,rf and lf.

Something to do with a valve in the 01+ vettes.

Then again I have seen where some bleed their 01+ vettes in the old order with no problems.
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Old Sep 24, 2004 | 07:27 AM
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Originally Posted by drcoffee
I hate to say it, but this is a safety issue and you should take it in for service.
That's exactly why you should do it yourself and not trust a dealership. If the "tech" at whatever place you take it to screws up, he won't even go to your funeral
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