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328 Brake Questions

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by Mule, Mar 27, 2004.

  1. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
    Rossa Subscribed Owner

    Jun 25, 2003
    3,521
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    Mule
    #1 Mule, Mar 27, 2004
    I have a 1989 328 that I would like to learn more about the brakes.

    I know the manual says not to coast out of gear since the brakes need the engine vacuum to create boost. I had mine in the driveway and wanted to roll it forward a little, so I released the parking brake. When I went to brake, there were no brakes. When I started the engine, the brakes were fine.

    Is this due to the brakes not having any vacuum/pressure built up? Is this normal?

    Also, my ABS light is on again. It did it last year, and we could not find a problem. I had the dealer fill the resevoir to the top (overfilled). When I got home, it spilled some on the driveway, but the light stayed out for 10 months. I tried to overfill it again, but it hasn't helped. All braking is fine.

    Last year's thread on the ABS light (start from the bottom):

    http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/256120/276878.html
     

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  2. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Sep 25, 2002
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    #2 Auraraptor, Mar 27, 2004
    Mule, older ABS systems esp. need to "pump up" often times. You might be familar with when you first start your car, and start moving, you hear a pumping sound as you start moving (ABS priming). Perhaps you caught the car in the middle of that cycle?
     
  3. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
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    Hugh G. Rection
    #3 f355spider, Mar 27, 2004
    All modern cars with power assisted brakes require the engine to be running to get the assist. Your brakes should still work, but may require a lot of pressure on the pedal to work.
     
  4. abarthracer

    abarthracer Formula Junior

    Dec 6, 2003
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    Falmouth, Cape Cod
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    david S.
    #4 abarthracer, Mar 27, 2004
    Isn't there supposed to be a one way valve to stop the booster from bleeding down. That sounds like a BS excuse for the ABS to have to pump up! Pretty scary.
    David
     
  5. Mule

    Mule F1 Rookie
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    #5 Mule, Mar 27, 2004
    That's the thing, Dave. It wasn't a loss of power brakes, it was nothing. I had the pedal all the way down and the car did not slow at all (lucky only about 3 MPH). I would think that non-power brakes should still grab some.
     

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  6. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
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    May 5, 2001
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    #6 Verell, Mar 27, 2004
    They sure should, especially since at 3mph you don't need much stopping power. The pedal s/b rock hard as soon as it engages, but you should have reasonable stopping power as long as you've got a lead foot!

    By law power brakes have to be fail-safe so that emergency stops can be made even tho the engine and/or power booster has died.
     
  7. Auraraptor

    Auraraptor F1 World Champ
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    Sep 25, 2002
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    #7 Auraraptor, Mar 27, 2004
    Yes, I can confirm this as we pushed my car down the hill to my house. (It won't start) If the car didn't have brakes, I don't know what we would have done to get in the truck.

    I still think it relates to the ABS pump not properly pumping and setting pressure.
     

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