Brakes not working

manifoldsrme · October 10, 2009, 07:20:33 PM

The brakes on my TGP are not safe. They barely work. The red brake light just stays on. The ABS light has come on, but it is not on all the time. When I pump the brakes 40 times and then turn the ignition on, I dont hear anything at all. I should hear some sort of pump, correct? Where would you start? The pads themselves look new and the system itself looks great as far as lines and hoses. This is the car I bought off eBay and it has sat in storage for the last 5 years. I am thinking the brake issue is the reason it was parked. I have never worked on an ABS system, but am fully capable of doing anything. I just need some pointers and advice to get me going in the right direction.

pontiac6ksteawd · October 11, 2009, 01:08:39 AM

First, see if your PM3 Brake pump is working. I am not sure how this is done, I think it requires jumping a pin at the brake pressure switch, or jumping the relay, But I dont know for sure. Anyways, if you get the pump to work, that most likely means it just needs a Brake Pump Switch.

But first you have to see if the pump works.

Prospeeder · October 11, 2009, 11:39:29 AM

pray to god its not the relay because there impossible to find, lol. well any of the parts for this abs system really dont exist.

manifoldsrme · October 11, 2009, 02:26:34 PM

So I drove it some today and the anti lock dash light is flashing. Does it sound like I need to replace the powermaster 3?

NTRCOOL · October 11, 2009, 06:15:21 PM

Check the ABS fuse in the dash and the one under the hood on the Drivers side fender area. Its a start.

flybynite · October 11, 2009, 06:31:48 PM

Quote from: manifoldsrme on October 11, 2009, 02:26:34 PM
So I drove it some today and the anti lock dash light is flashing. Does it sound like I need to replace the powermaster 3?

The flashing light (usually) means low pressure has been sensed by the abs module. The pump builds the pressure and the accumulator helps keep the pressure at 1500-2000psi so the pump does not run constantly.. One of the two if not both are bad.. When you turn the key to the on position, Do you hear the abs pump building pressure?

manifoldsrme · October 11, 2009, 07:04:07 PM

I just bought a Powermaster 3 off Zkboys for $350 on eBay. It said it was his last one in the auction. I do not hear any pump when I turn the key nothing. I can't seem to get the pump to work at all. I do hear a "whirring" sound for a quarter of a second or so, but I dont think it is the pump. The rest of the system looks really good. I haven't found any leaks, hoses and lines look great. I have checked the mentioned fuses and they were good. Will the powermaster have a new switch? In the picture it looks like it has a new pump and accumulator, correct? I hope it fixes my issues.

flybynite · October 11, 2009, 07:12:05 PM

Quote from: manifoldsrme on October 11, 2009, 07:04:07 PM
I just bought a Powermaster 3 off Zkboys for $350 on eBay.

I bought a couple of them.. I have only tested one, It workes perfectly...

manifoldsrme · October 11, 2009, 07:35:16 PM

After some reading and research on here I figured it was a good place to start with the cars brake issues. I thought the price was good as well. At least I will have peace of mind knowing the powermaster is new if it turns out to be a relay or something. It just seems odd the pump is dead. Could the accumulator run the pump to its death if it cant hold a charge? And now they are both bad? I have a solid red light, and the abs blinks. And while the car will stop, it has no stopping power. Oh yeah, I bought some speed bleeders for it as well. I dont do anything on a cars brakes until I have switched it over to speed bleeders!

manifoldsrme · May 26, 2010, 02:39:44 PM

The hell with this. My new powermaster seems to be taking a dump. Pump will NOT stop running. I can almost buy another rebuilt unit for what they want for an accumulator and I cant even find a new switch. This car was a pain in the ass the whole time I owned it and no matter what I fix 2 other things break immediately. Time to bail out. I had no idea what a POS these cars brake systems were before I bought it. Lesson learned. So sad, but this car is NOT worth the time and effort I have given it so far. Look for it in the for sale section soon............

Penglii · May 26, 2010, 07:52:11 PM

Quote from: manifoldsrme on May 26, 2010, 02:39:44 PM
This car was a pain in the ass the whole time I owned it and no matter what I fix 2 other things break immediately. Time to bail out. I had no idea what a POS these cars brake systems were before I bought it. Lesson learned.

PITA? Sure... but POS? Hell no.

jimmy · May 26, 2010, 11:30:14 PM

Your not the first person that has had a rough time with these brake systems, alot of the ones that do, switch to the regular brake systems. I Personally shipped mine off to Prior 5 years ago and replaced all of my brake lines, and its been working fine, without a single problem. Hope you get them fixed, cause I'd sure hate to see you sell it.

manifoldsrme · May 27, 2010, 04:10:09 PM

I like the car but it has so many issues. Having something major like the brakes failing frequently takes a lot of my momentum away from addressing its other issues. And pisses me off because I have other toys as well that I would llke to throw some money at.

Anyway, I emailed the guy that rebuilt it and POLITELY told him the pump was running nonstop with the key on and I did not get more than 500 miles out of it. He emailed me back and said he would send me a new pressure switch if he can locate one, and will get back to me. He thinks that will solve the problem.

Penglii · May 28, 2010, 10:00:04 AM

Quote from: manifoldsrme on May 27, 2010, 04:10:09 PM
He emailed me back and said he would send me a new pressure switch if he can locate one, and will get back to me. He thinks that will solve the problem.

A quick glance at the FSM indicates that has a very good chance of being the solution.
I wonder what it is that goes bad on those pressure switches...

pontiac6ksteawd · June 06, 2010, 02:12:52 AM

Probly a fluid contamination on the pressure pintle. Just an Opinion, but thats what happens in AC systems where the system is full, but wont turn on.