Changing brake fluid

[Jimbob_OD]

Thanks for all your suggestions.

The mechanic who came out tested all the fuses and relays. He used his scan tool to search for ABS faults and there were none. He manually cycled the pump with his scan tool and the actual pump itself ran fine.

Before I put the pump on the car, I blew air through the inlet port and it came out of the rear ports. But as soon as it’s on the car, there’s no flow.

My mechanic is at a loss now too and has run out of suggestions.

 

[Zephyr]

Then the only solution is a priest.
or some love taps with a hammer.
Preferably not to the head of the mechanic

 

[t-tony]

Next thing I would do, I think, is trace the pipes from the Master Cylinder and their destinations and check against another like-for-like car.

Tony.

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Thanks @t-tony. I’m guessing that is to make sure I haven’t reconnected the lines to the wrong ports?

if so, I’m confident they’re in the correct place - Me and the mechanic manually flushed all the lines with a fluid pump to check there were no blockages elsewhere.

 

[t-tony]

That was my thought, not assuming something is wrong though mate, just one more thing to eliminate. Good luck.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

I called my mechanic and described the situation.
he says he faced this once in an E36 318is and after a week of throwing parts at it he bled the fronts, took the car on the road for a very careful drive around the block, came back and the bloody thing recalibrated whatever data it had and the pump worked.
Also suggested to check the wiring as the socket may be kaput.
i do not suggest this, if you try it, do it at your own risk this guy is crazy, so crazy that he drove a car in which he replaced oil with diesel, so I just give this as a very dangerous idea.

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Gotta be worth a try @Zephyr. Maybe a trip out of the garage and to the end of the street on Sunday afternoon might do the trick.

If you see a news article about a Z3 driving through the front of a house in Lancashire on the Sunday evening news, ask a mod to delete this thread please.

 

[Zephyr]

No luck yet?

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Nope. Still no progress. I’ve not tried taking her out for a gentle drive (haven’t had chance) but may do so on Friday when I’m next off work.

 

[t-tony]

Is your local MOT place close? Ask if they'll do a brake test for you and see what's happening.


Tony.

 

[Jimbob_OD]

There is a testing centre a couple of minutes drive away. Involves driving on quite a busy road though so nervous about driving there. I have been considering looking into getting trailered there.

 

[Zephyr]

There is a testing centre a couple of minutes drive away. Involves driving on quite a busy road though so nervous about driving there. I have been considering looking into getting trailered there.

any update on this?

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Not yet, but watch this space.

I have a couple of days off this week so will be back on the tools!

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Had an idea to get the wheels turning in the hope that a signal from the ABS sensor to the ABS ECU might somehow shock everything into life. Let it run up on stands in 2nd gear for 5 mins with the wheels spinning but still no joy.

Took @t-tony ‘s suggestion and went into the local MOT centre.

After a lengthy chat with the owner where everything he suggested, I’d already tried, he told me they “wouldn’t touch it” as all the things they’d do, I’ve already done.

The final thing I can think of to try is swapping out the ABS sensors on the rear wheels.

If that doesn’t work, I’ll be breaking her for parts.

 

[Zephyr]

please try recoding. Somebody must have INPA near you.

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Chorley, Lancs if anyone does and can help

 

[Jimbob_OD]

Found a mate with a rigid tow rod and she’s booked in w/b 21st April with a local garage who I’ve used before and is a German sports car specialist.

Make or break time. Fingers crossed.

 

[Zephyr]

Found a mate with a rigid tow rod and she’s booked in w/b 21st April with a local garage who I’ve used before and is a German sports car specialist.

Make or break time. Fingers crossed.

Best of luck. Let's hope its just a programming thing.