Old Chevy Brake Troubleshoot

fuffl · 12-21-2009, 12:01 AM

OK. Here's the deal. I've got a 71 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup for a winter driver. I had to hit the brakes hard last night to avoid some doofus on his cell phone. It turned my brake idiot light on. The truck still stops fine, the fluid is full, and I checked every brake line on the vehicle for a break or leak...but found nothing.

So, my question is. What other things can trigger the light on such an old vehicle. The sensor system must be pretty simple.

bono83 · 12-21-2009, 10:03 AM

How about the parking brake pedal? Is it up all the way?

derklug · 12-21-2009, 12:23 PM

Beside the e-brake pedal, there is a switch in the porportioning valve that may have gone off center. You may have to crack a bleeder loose while someone holds the brake to get the valve to recenter. Try a front first, and then a rear.

Stingr69 · 12-21-2009, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derklug

Beside the e-brake pedal, there is a switch in the porportioning valve that may have gone off center. You may have to crack a bleeder loose while someone holds the brake to get the valve to recenter. Try a front first, and then a rear.

Yup.

-Mark.

fuffl · 12-26-2009, 09:24 PM

It worked! Thanks guys. Those darn proportioning valves...

derklug · 12-27-2009, 08:46 AM

Glad to have been helpful.

12-21-2009, 12:01 AM	#1
fuffl Drives: #3124!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 130	Old Chevy Brake Troubleshoot OK. Here's the deal. I've got a 71 Chevy 3/4 ton pickup for a winter driver. I had to hit the brakes hard last night to avoid some doofus on his cell phone. It turned my brake idiot light on. The truck still stops fine, the fluid is full, and I checked every brake line on the vehicle for a break or leak...but found nothing. So, my question is. What other things can trigger the light on such an old vehicle. The sensor system must be pretty simple.

12-21-2009, 10:03 AM	#2
bono83 Drives: 1969 Chevelle, 2010 1LT Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Chicago suburbs Posts: 378	How about the parking brake pedal? Is it up all the way? __________________ Order: 5/23/09 - Deposit given with order at dealer. 1100: 6/26/09 - Order placed by dealer - no allocation 2000: 8/15/09 - Accepted by GM. 2500: 8/18/09 - Preferenced. 3000: 8/18/09 - Accepted by Production Control. 3100: 9/9/09 - Available to Sequence. 3300: 9/9/09 - Scheduled for Production. 3400: 9/19/09 - Broadcast. 3800: 9/29/09 - Produced. 4000: 9/29/09 - Available to Ship. 4150: 9/29/09 - Original Invoice. 4200: 10/6/09 - Shipped. 5000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Dealer. 6000: 10/13/09 - Delivered to Customer.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Are you a Chevy Enthusiast? What's your best Chevy story?	JoeP@TeamBeckyD	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	102	04-25-2012 12:11 AM
Super Chevy at Maple Grove	KBearZ28	USA - NY / NJ / PA	4	07-17-2009 01:10 AM
Chevy Camaro interest at all time high. Top viewed car on AutoTrader.	shank0668	5th Gen Camaro SS LS LT General Discussions	22	07-12-2009 04:52 AM
GM SHUT DOWN IN CANADA	FUTURE TOP DOG OWNER	Camaro Price \| Ordering \| Tracking \| Dealers Discussions	72	12-15-2008 11:13 AM
"Our" Economy	ShnOmac	General Automotive + Other Cars Discussion	46	11-15-2008 03:47 PM

12-21-2009, 12:23 PM	#3
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	Beside the e-brake pedal, there is a switch in the porportioning valve that may have gone off center. You may have to crack a bleeder loose while someone holds the brake to get the valve to recenter. Try a front first, and then a rear.

12-26-2009, 09:24 PM	#5
fuffl Drives: #3124!!! Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Iowa Posts: 130	It worked! Thanks guys. Those darn proportioning valves...

12-27-2009, 08:46 AM	#6
derklug Drives: 12 Boss 302 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Grand Rapids, Mi Posts: 1,369	Glad to have been helpful.