NO BRAKES!!!! HELP!!!

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with the cold temps outside i have no brakes on cold engine start ups. the abs light and the brake light are on and the pedal is a hard as a rock to push. after the engine is warm then the brakes are fine,they are also ok if its plugged in a couple hours before starting. i am kinda lost on this one. could the brake fluid be gelling up do to some moisture in the system?? if so ,why does the plugging in of the block heater effect the brakes?? anyone have any suggestions? this problem is on my "94

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94 2500 4x4 SLT,auto,180,000 miles,3:54,brilliant blue/silver,tst 250/635,pump turned up 20%,k&n,gauges,cat gutted,
2001 3500 4x4 q-cab slt,auto,4500 miles,3:55lsd,brite silver,stock (for now)both have 12k hitches&15k's in the beds,30ft fourwinds 5er,(MY RAMS) http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1360183&a=10142301

 

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Iceman,

I actualy have the same problem with mine as well, but it seems to clear about 30 seconds to 1 min after starting. Could it be some kind of vacuum issue?

Mark


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Mark Wardell
1996 Dodge 3500, 4x4, Duel, Green and silver.

 

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I also experience this some, but I think it’s the power steering fluid that is thick, and slow to start pumping. The Power Steering system also runs the brake booster.

I notice the steering wheel is hard to turn at startup when the temp is in the low 20's.

May be time to switch to synthetic power steering fluid!

I also notice my 4th gear rattle at low RPM is worse when the trans fluid is cold. Guess its time to change that also. Really ****** I have to give the dealer $15. 00 a quart because there poison is the only thing that will work.

 

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It's been unusually cold here(mid 20's) and mine, along with the hard steering and brakes, was also moaning. I just attributed it to the cold weather because it cleared up after a little driving.

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Curtis Harris

"CASPER"
Updated 11/19/00
1997 Club Cab Dualie
correctly valved 5 speed. White, Brown Manf. brushguard and rear bumper,Sprayed in liner, Stock plate and AFC properly adjusted. Straight pipe. That's all for now. More to come.
Check out the Lone Star TDR

 

[Archive]

i kinda agree with the cold this year being an issue on the brake problem but i have had the truck since 94 and we have had alot colder years than this. i think something else is going on but i dont know where to start. there has been a small leak that i cant pin point,looks to be around the p/s pump area. the steering is fine when i have the no brake problem. could it be a vacum problem? where to start checking?

 

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Iceman,since you have a '94 the PS has nothing to do with the brakes,it's a vacuum assist. I'm thinking that since it's temperature related that you must have moisture somewhere in the system. I'd start by flushing out the old brake fluid and adding new,something that should be done every couple of years anyway. If that doesn't help try disconnecting some vacuum lines and see if somehow water has gotten in. To do both these things you will need either an above freezing day or a well warmed up engine.
Oh yeah,the block heater will raise the underhood temp well over freezing,that's why you're not having the problem after plugging in.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 01-03-2001). ]

 

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Illflem is right...
94-96 trucks have vacuum assisted brakes,and 97-2001 trucks have hydraulice assisted brakes. so I'd start by flushing your lines first.

-Mike

 

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thanks for the help,i will flush the brake system and see what happens