Brake bleed a little confused as to the procedure?

FREERIDER78

MEMBER
2005 BUICK LESABRE
3.8L
V6
2WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

Using a scanner to automated the ABS I'm a little confused as to the procedure. First it says pump pedal repeatedly. Release pedal the pump pedal again. The pump motor starts running do you hold the pedal during this time or pump it like the scanner says. Then it says open left front bleeder and check fluid. Should the pedal be depressed at this time? It almost sounds like the bleeder should be open while the pump motor is running and the pedal is being pumped. It seems like all the fluid would be pumped out if this was the case. It then repeats for right front, left rear and right rear. The scanner is a Foxwell NT630+.

Tuesday, November 25th, 2025 AT 6:00 PM

3 Replies

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,591 POSTS

You will need to bleed the system normally first and then do the ABS bleed. This video can help you.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQRnKyVyMuQ

You NEVER pump the pedal while the bleeder is open unless specifically told - and GM does NOT tell you that for this system.

When the scan tool says “Pump pedal,” do this:

Pump the pedal 5-10 times firmly

STOP

Foot OFF the pedal

Let the ABS pump run on its own

Do NOT hold the pedal while the ABS pump runs.
Do NOT pump it while the bleeder is open.

The pump is pulling fluid through the ABS channels, not the master cylinder.
You don’t help it - you just let it run.

When the scan tool says “Open LF bleeder,” do this:

Yes, the pedal should be depressed at this moment. But only once, and only after the pump stops. I hope this helped, Ken

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Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 AT 10:46 AM

FREERIDER78

MEMBER
8 POSTS

I bled the system normally but probably in the wrong order. It seems it's different for this vehicle. I also bled the master because I don't know how low it got when the line was leaking that someone else replaced. Obviously they should have bled the system but instead told the owner he had no pressure because his front pads and rotors were bad. I've seen much worse. Anyway now I have to clean up their mess. When the bleeder is open after the pump runs can I run a hose into a container of brake fluid to pump the air out since I'm doing it alone or I guess I could use a rod to hold the pedal down.

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Wednesday, November 26th, 2025 AT 2:00 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
54,591 POSTS

Yep, this is a two person job to do it correctly, or you can use a pressure bleeder. I think you can rent one form the auto parts store, (autozone) for free.

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Thursday, November 27th, 2025 AT 12:07 PM