2000 Ford Explorer Brakes failing- but only when cold

Tiny
ERIK SHROM
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD EXPLORER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 109,000 MILES
I bought a 2000 Ford Explorer used and have no service history. When I bought the vehicle I met the seller at a public location and the car was warm and had no problems. Now, after owning it a few days, I have a problem with the brakes failing, but only when the SUV is cold. After I start the car and put it into drive, the brakes get stiff and lose all power to stop the vehicle. I can hear the brakes against the metal rotors. I push them hard a few times and the petal eventually foes to the ground and regains power. The problem goes away until the next time I start the car. I replaced the rear brake pads, rotors, parking brakes and spring kits. I also bled the brakes using two people starting at the furthest wheel. It appears the previous owner had replaced the master cylinder. Someone mentioned it could be air or moisture in the ABS motor as the previous owner did not drive the vehicle for at least a year prior to selling. Do you have any idea what the problem is?
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Tuesday, October 5th, 2010 AT 8:36 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Is the brake pedal hard to push when you first start it? After hitting the brakes several times, does the brake pedal go to the floor or just get easier to push?

Let me know.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 7:09 AM
Tiny
ERIK SHROM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I start the car, put it in drive, and everything in the brakes fees normal. The brakes work fine the first two or three times I push them. Then the event happens- all brake power is lost, you can hear metal on metal sound, and brake pedal gets stiff. I pump them a few times and work the pedal which eventually goes to the ground - the whole time the brakes stay stiff. After the brake goes to the floor, you can feel a change in the pedal pushing back at you and the brakes regain power. It only happens once after the SUV is started. Until I start it up again.

It happens frequently, but it doesn't happen all the time. I have recently noticed this seems happens more often after the the vehicle is parked and pointing down hill- not so much when it is on an flat or uphill incline.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Does it feel like the ABS is kicking in? Has the ABS light ever come on?

Let me know.
Joe
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
ERIK SHROM
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
No ABS dashboard light. No ABS computer codes found using Advanced Auto & Autozone's free computer service. From what I can tell the ABS is working fine with the exception of the "event" that I described.

Thanks again.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
I need you to check something. Check the ABS sensor at each wheel. Make sure they are not corroded with dirt. If they are, clean them. I have seen where dirt has caused the ABS to engage. However, because nothing is wrong with the system, the light never sets. It sounds like something is actuating the ABS.
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Wednesday, October 6th, 2010 AT 9:24 AM

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