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Brake pulsates at 5 MPH

Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 LEXUS ES 350
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 117,000 MILES
Hello, I'm having a small problem from what I am noticing. The issue that I am noticing is when I am driving the car and trying to slow down the car pulsate exactly when my speedometer touches 5 MPH then I pump the brakes and the pulsation goes away.

Things that I have done are: replaced front rotors, front pads, back rotors, back pads. I already made sure there is no air in my brake line. I had to check professionally they couldn't find anything I have not gone to the dealer yet.

I have checked up Google as well to see if I can find anything. I looked at all my calipers to make sure nothing was getting stuck and didn't see anything obvious I already cleaned my ABS sensors for front right. Now I'm at lost on what to check next or if anything lastly I do not have any engine light or ABS light. Thank you
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Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 9:14 AM

23 Replies

Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
First a question. When the brakes pulse which way does the steering wheel jerk on each pulse? Left or right? If you let go of the wheel when its doing it you will see the wheel move just a bit in one direction or the other. It could be as little as a 1/4 inch. But it will move one direction left or right and then in between pulses the wheel will go back to center.

Rich
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Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 1:17 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,262 POSTS
Is the ABS system kicking in? if so you may have a wheel speed sensor going out. let's start by scanning the system. this guide can help. These videos will help us find the problem:

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

and

https://youtu.be/Pb6nXV-iamI

and

https://youtu.be/ANWVTh2RQoQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide

Please run down these guides and report back. Can you please shoot a quick video with your phone so we can see what's going on? that would be great. You can upload it here with your response.

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Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 6:28 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Let me try this out. Give me couple days and I will get back.
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Saturday, June 12th, 2021 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Please see the video and I hope you hear the pulsation. Also I did not see any pulling to either direction when the car stop or pulsation occurred.
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 11:54 AM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
I think you forgot to upload the video.
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
3rd time :)
Video (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
If what I think I heard in the the less than 1 second it lasted did sound like the ABS engaging.
Have you retrieved the codes yet?
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 8:38 PM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
Bye the way, a standard code reader will not work as they basically just read engine codes. You will need a reader that can pull ABS codes.
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Monday, June 14th, 2021 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I took it to the shop and they said there is no ABS code. I was thinking of taking it to another shop for 2nd opinion.
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 7:13 AM
Tiny
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I will see if I can try to squeeze it this week.
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 7:14 AM
Tiny
94 TRANSAM
  • MECHANIC
  • 680 POSTS
You said the engine light was on. Did they get the code for that?
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 5:45 PM
Tiny
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  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
No lights were on, sir. No engine no ABS etc.
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Tuesday, June 15th, 2021 AT 6:09 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,348 POSTS
Hi,

We haven't been in touch for a couple of days. Has any progress been made? Based on your description, it does sound like the ABS is engaging at the speed. I suspect you have a faulty wheel speed sensor. You won't get a code if it is failing that way simply because the computer "thinks" you have a wheel skidding. Thus, the ABS is actuated.

What I suggest is to check each wheel's speed sensors. It really isn't difficult to do. Here is a link that explains what to do:

If possible, try that and let me know what you find.

Also, I don't know if you have access to one, but there are scan tools that can read live data and actually show you what each sensor is reading. If you were to see one drip in comparison to the others, that would likely be the one causing the problem.

Regardless, let us know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, June 17th, 2021 AT 8:12 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Hello,

I have cleaned the ABS sensor in front both tires. No change in situations. I am trying to get ABS sensor scanner from a friend when he is back from a vacation. I should have update mid next week.

Thank you
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Friday, June 18th, 2021 AT 6:00 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,348 POSTS
Hi,

You are very welcome. Let us know what you find. We're interested in knowing.

Also, I noticed I forgot to add the link above for testing a sensor. Sorry about that. Here is the link if you want to try it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, June 18th, 2021 AT 6:45 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I want to get clarification on the steering wheel turning. I noticed yesterday that when I was at 80 MPH and when I applied brake the steering wheel shook. It did not at 60 MPH. I got balancing done 1 week ago. Should this be part of anything major?

Let me know if I need to add more details.

Thank you
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Saturday, June 19th, 2021 AT 6:03 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

If you felt it shaking in the steering wheel, that is usually due to the brake rotors being warped or even the pads extremely worn. Have you checked the front brake pads recently? As far as checking the rotors, you won't see the warpage. You will need a dial indicator to make that determination.

The interesting thing is that most times when rotors are warped, you feel that to a degree at any speed. Is that the only time you felt it?

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, June 19th, 2021 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
SUMOFFALLFEAR
  • MEMBER
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I have found the root cause for my all ABS issues. When I was backing up I heard loud grind and I did not press brakes. I did pump the brakes to release the pressure and the noise was gone. It was my rear caliper being stuck on to my pads. I have already changed the front caliper and will be changing rear in next 2 week. My symptoms has drastically reduced. I am hoping that changing the rear caliper will make this go away. I will follow once I get the opportunity to replace them. Thank you everyone.
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Monday, July 12th, 2021 AT 7:04 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,348 POSTS
Hi,

Let me know if that takes care of the problem. I'm not sure if you need it, but here is a link that explains how to replace a brake caliper:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-caliper-replacement

Let me know if I can help.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, July 12th, 2021 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
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Thank you.
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Tuesday, July 13th, 2021 AT 8:06 AM

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