My 83' 308 QV has a Brake Failure warning light?

I did not see this warninglight in my car either

It might be the one for low fluid level. I know the container with brakefluid is wired. So btw is the splitter/biasvalve with the line to the rear

 

As mentioned by Steven it could either be the fluid level sensor or the differential pressure sensor in the hydraulic splitter manifold.

First check if you are low on brake fluid or if the fluid level sensor for some reason is faulty.

Then check you splitter manifold: The sensor on the manifold will indicate if you loss pressure on one of the brake circuits (Hydraulic leak), however the pressure sensor is known for giving false indications and the sensor is prone to get stuck due to dirt and/or corrosion.

The splitter manifold is located in the front of the car just next to the steering rack. You will have the access it from below via the small aluminum access plate.

Good luck with the fault finding.

Regards

Peter
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Bleed, top up fluid.
Check fuse on the window thing.

 

Is that splitter/tubing in the picture original? The pic makes it appear that the tubing is standard copper - like you'd find in a hardware store. Or is the copper appearance in the pic a function of the lighting?

 

It's copper piping bought in bulk length and cut to fit. Originally the piping is made from galvanized steel as I remember it.

Peter

 

I'd be very interested in knowing what the cause of the actual brake failure turns out to be. Usually these lights come on for some stupid reason that rarely turns out to be an actual brake failure. In this case, you had a real failure--so that's scary. Is it possible that you have original brake lines that finally gave up the ghost?

Regarding copper brake lines, my experience is that copper is extremely brittle and doesn't generally like automotive applications where you have a lot of vibrations and strange forces.

 

Hmmm... Steel tubing or copper/nickel tubing is used for brake lines. Plain copper tubing for brakes is illegal in the US though perhaps that's not be the case in other countries.

Perhaps what you have there is copper/nickel though it looks like standard copper. If it's standard copper, it could not pass a safety inspection in the US...not that it matters since it's in Denmark!

 

I've had it on four times with my 83 qv
1) Low fluid level - brakes were fine
2) brake fluid level float got stuck - brakes were fine fix: rap it lightly a couple times.
3) brake balancer (show above) had a poor electrical connection - brakes were fine. fix: clean the contacts.

4) Brake was dragging on the caliper. Fluid boiled. Brake pedal went to the floor (scary - but I was only doing like 20 pulling up to a traffic light). fix: rebuild LR caliper.

 

I've had this discussion with Americans several times....- Standard automotive copper pipe has been approved and used for brake lines in Europe with no issues for many many years and are still fully legal, at least in Denmark. I use copper/Nickel on my Dino 246 project primarily to avoid any confusion/questions. The price is nearly the same, but pure automotive copper pipe is easier (Softer) to work with.

You can buy it here:

http://www.biltema.dk/da/Bil---MC/Bilreservedele/Bremsesystem/Bremseror-og-Nipler/Bremseror-316-66482/

Best regards Peter

 

I had this light come on in my 308. It was telling me the fluid was low in the master cyl reservoir. I topped it off and the light went out. BUT....where did the fluid go. About a week later I got my answer as just before a ride I noticed some fluid behind the passenger rear tire....yep, brake fluid. The pass rear caliper was leaking. I rebuilt all 4 calipers, it had never been done, and all is well now.

Bottom line....don't ignore that light

Paul

 

Don't ignore it. Mine came on (similarly hadn't noticed it had this light after 12 years of ownership). Had a nice drive, parked it for a few weeks. Started it up, light on. Pass side rear caliper leak. Everything rebuilt, lines and calipers.

 

Straight soft copper is a definite NO NO, and always when flaring, use a double flare. I did a Google Search and found the following:

The soft copper tubing you can find in the local hardware store would be deadly if used in hydraulic brakes. Don't use it.

There is a modern brake line that is a copper-nickel alloy that has a copper look. It is apparently used in some high end cars and some imported cars. It is fully certified for use as a brake line and you should be able to find it at a good brake supply company.

You use the same double flare ends on it that you would use on steel lines.

 

Brake line repair made easy. Where to buy brake line, fuel line, Brake line flaring tools, brake line nuts and brake line fittings, for example.

it's a bubble flare, not a double flare, on the 308.

 

Good to know it's a bubble flare.

 

Hey, it's only brakes, all they do is slow you down.............