Is it it a 2001?
Brake Problem
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Joined: Jun 2002
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Brake Problem
Anyone ever seen a C5 brake problem that is cold weather related? It seems to be at 32F or colder conditions....
This happens as the car is driven after each time the brakes are applied the brakes do not fully release and continued driving heats the brakes up causing lots of drag. Brake pedal is to the top and very firm. After it warms up (weather or just let it sit for a few min) this condition goes away. This is a friends car, I have not looked it over yet. Was hoping someone has seen this.. This sounds like the Anti -Lock unit is out to lunch or maybe a bad A/L pump ground to me..
This happens as the car is driven after each time the brakes are applied the brakes do not fully release and continued driving heats the brakes up causing lots of drag. Brake pedal is to the top and very firm. After it warms up (weather or just let it sit for a few min) this condition goes away. This is a friends car, I have not looked it over yet. Was hoping someone has seen this.. This sounds like the Anti -Lock unit is out to lunch or maybe a bad A/L pump ground to me..
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Freezing temp or below malfunction leads me to suspect possible excess moisture in the system that freezes and hangs the calipers up until it heats up and frees the fluid up. Or temps affecting elastomer components and creating drag.
Shot in the dark there . . .
Shot in the dark there . . .
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Thanks guys!
All of the obvious has already been done. I would have also guessed moisture in the lines. He just flushed the old out and added new sylicone fluid. I also thought about the brake booster and there is a TSB on the 01. This is a 98 coupe...
I have no idea if it is front or back only, sound to me like all 4 wheels. We are in middle GA so no ice or snow buildup....
The stiff pedal leads me to think anit lock, he can push very hard on the pedal with no travel...
After this problem goes away he has the correct pedal again...
All of the obvious has already been done. I would have also guessed moisture in the lines. He just flushed the old out and added new sylicone fluid. I also thought about the brake booster and there is a TSB on the 01. This is a 98 coupe...
I have no idea if it is front or back only, sound to me like all 4 wheels. We are in middle GA so no ice or snow buildup....
The stiff pedal leads me to think anit lock, he can push very hard on the pedal with no travel...
After this problem goes away he has the correct pedal again...
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I think you are saying that silicone is not advised / supported in the C5. Correct me if I am wrong.. I did not know that...
However the silicone fluid did not cause this the problem it existed prior to the new fluid and the new fluid changed nothing.
However the silicone fluid did not cause this the problem it existed prior to the new fluid and the new fluid changed nothing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
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From: New Jersey
1. Get the silicon fluid out ASAP, it will start to deteriorate the seals in the master cylinder and caliper.
2. How do you know the brakes are dragging? Does it pull, can you hear it. Sluggish acceleration when cold could just as easily be the clutch or engine itself.
3. Where the pads recently changed? If so, was the proper lube applied to the caliper sliding bolts?
Actually the booster "retracts" when cold. The seals shrink so the pressure differential on either side drops sooner and the very stiff return springs push the valve back.
2. How do you know the brakes are dragging? Does it pull, can you hear it. Sluggish acceleration when cold could just as easily be the clutch or engine itself.
3. Where the pads recently changed? If so, was the proper lube applied to the caliper sliding bolts?
Actually the booster "retracts" when cold. The seals shrink so the pressure differential on either side drops sooner and the very stiff return springs push the valve back.
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Dragging was described to me as push the clutch in and the car stops hard! Touch the brake pedal and it acts like the brakes are already half applied before he presses the pedal...
I am going to go by his place and look it over now. May bring it back to the shop and dive into it..
Thanks for all the good pointers!
I am going to go by his place and look it over now. May bring it back to the shop and dive into it..
Thanks for all the good pointers!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,995
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Silicon fluid is contraindicated in any brake system with ABS. The properties of the silicone fluid will cause the ABS system to fail when it is used. Silicone should only be used in old cars that aren't driven much since it doesn't absorb moisture.
Bill
Bill
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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I assume you have checked the pistons to see if they can be compressed easily, the slide pins have been cleaned and lubed, Parking brake pads are not too tight, the ABS is functioning correctly(pull the fuses and see what happens), disconnect the brake booster(plug hose) and see if that helps to let the car roll freely and finally check the pads to see which ones are worn down more than the others. That should cover it.
Good luck
Good luck
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Thanks for all the help! I did not get to look things over. My friend had to be someplace else this evening. He said he used Valvoline Synthetic brake fluid. This was done to try to fix the problem he is having, it did not start after the brake fluid change! I am still thinking it the ABS since it only seems to happen when he first takes off on a cold day. Warm days he has no problems and after things warm up this problem goes away. A mechanical failure would not come and go like this. Pistons sticking would only get worse, parking brakes too tight would never go from tight to loose to tight by themselves, not that I wont check the entire system over when I get it in the shop. I will post the problem and fix as soon as I get my hands on it.. Again, I really appreciate all the help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
When the car is COLD, jack it up and see what wheels are sticking! That should help narrow it down! 
Bill C
Bill C
First with the engine off then start it. I'm leaning towards the ABS. The solenoid may be sticking when it cycles on.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,234
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From: New Jersey
It's not the ABS. Or the Traction Control or the Active Handling.
The valve block doesn't cycle on when you turn the car on. The entire system will run a self-test once the car is moving and usually at speed (like 20-35 MPH). If a valve was not functioning the ABS light would come on, even the smallest thing wrong would light it.
I would bet it's the parking brake. When cold the shoes will stick to the inside of the hat.
The other most likely culprit is the slide bolt (pins) grease.
Water in the line is out since you did a bleed.
Mechanical problems come and go all the time. "It was doing it a minute ago," heard a thousand times.
The valve block doesn't cycle on when you turn the car on. The entire system will run a self-test once the car is moving and usually at speed (like 20-35 MPH). If a valve was not functioning the ABS light would come on, even the smallest thing wrong would light it.
I would bet it's the parking brake. When cold the shoes will stick to the inside of the hat.
The other most likely culprit is the slide bolt (pins) grease.
Water in the line is out since you did a bleed.
Mechanical problems come and go all the time. "It was doing it a minute ago," heard a thousand times.