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Hydraulic Brake System Diagnosis

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2003 GMC Sonoma, 2003 GMC Jimmy, 2003 Chevrolet S10 Pickup, and 2003 Chevrolet Blazer. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
  1. Were you sent here from SYMPTOMS - HYDRAULIC BRAKES  under TROUBLE SHOOTING? If so, go to the next step. If not, go to STARTING POINT - HYDRAULIC BRAKES .
  2. Inspect and adjust the brake fluid level in the brake master cylinder. See MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR FILLING  under BLEEDING. Was the brake fluid level low? If so, go to the next step. If not, go to step  4
  3. Inspect the brake fluid for the following conditions, indicating brake fluid contamination:
    1. Fluid separation, indicating 2 types of fluid are present.
      • Swirled appearance - oil-based substance.
      • Layered appearance - silicone-based substance.
    2. Fluid discoloration.
      • Cloudy appearance - moisture.
      • Dark appearance/suspended particles in fluid - dirt, rust, corrosion, brake dust.
    3. Inspect the master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm and the reservoir-to-master cylinder grommets for swelling, indicating fluid contamination.

    Do any of the conditions exist? If so, go to step  5. If not, go to step  6.

  4. Inspect the brake fluid for conditions, indicating brake fluid contamination. See step  3. Do any of the conditions exist? If so, go to the next step. If not, go to step  12.
  5. Flush the hydraulic brake system. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM FLUSHING  under BLEEDING. If the brake fluid WAS contaminated with an oil-based or a silicone-based fluid, indicated by fluid separation and/or a swollen master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm and/or swollen reservoir-to-master cylinder grommets, perform the following steps. Remove ALL of the following components listed. Each component contains internal rubber seals/linings which have been contaminated. Clean out the hydraulic brake pipes using denatured alcohol, or equivalent. Dry the brake pipes using non-lubricated, filtered air. Repair or replace ALL of the following components listed. Each component contains internal rubber seals/linings which have been contaminated.

    If the brake fluid was not contaminated with an oil-based fluid, but was contaminated with water or dirt, rust, corrosion, and/or brake dust, replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap diaphragm which may have allowed moisture or dirt to enter the system. Refill and bleed the hydraulic brake system. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - MANUAL  or HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - PRESSURE  under BLEEDING. Did you complete the operation and any required repairs and/or replacements? If so, go to step  9.

  6. Inspect the following hydraulic brake system components for external fluid leaks. Repair or replace any of the components found to be leaking brake fluid.

    If you repaired or replaced any of the brake system components listed, bleed the hydraulic brake system. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - MANUAL  or HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - PRESSURE  under BLEEDING. While bleeding the hydraulic brake system, observe for the following conditions: The presence of air in the system at a bleeder valve location other than at the repair location, except if the brake master cylinder was replaced. An unrestricted and even flow of brake fluid per axle during the bleeding procedure. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to the next step If not, go to step  12.

  7. Was there air in the system at a bleeder valve location other than at the repair location, except if the brake master cylinder was replaced? If so, go to step  19. If not, go to the next step.
  8. Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted and even per axle during the bleeding procedure? If so, go to the next step. If not, go to step  10.
  9. Inspect the hydraulic function of the brake calipers/wheel cylinders for proper operation. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE COMPONENT OPERATION VISUAL INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Was the hydraulic function of the brake calipers/wheel cylinders operating properly? If so, go to step  21. If not, go to step  14.
  10. Was the flow of brake fluid restricted or uneven through front axle hydraulic components during the bleeding procedure? If so, go to step  13. If not, go to the next step.
  11. Was the flow of brake fluid restricted or uneven through rear axle hydraulic components during the bleeding procedure? If so, go to step  17.
  12. Inspect the hydraulic function of the brake calipers/wheel cylinders for proper operation. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE COMPONENT OPERATION VISUAL INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTION. Was the hydraulic function of the brake calipers/wheel cylinders operating properly? If so, go to step  15. If not, go to the next step.
  13. Determine if the brake caliper is restricting the flow of brake fluid and/or not operating properly: Raise and support the vehicle. Remove the tire and wheel assemblies. Open the suspected caliper bleeder valve. Using a large C-clamp, compress the caliper piston and observe for an unrestricted flow of brake fluid and for free movement of the caliper piston. Close the caliper bleeder valve. Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted and did the caliper piston move freely? If so, go to step  17. If not, go to the next step.
  14. Repair or replace any brake caliper/wheel cylinder that was not operating properly: Did you complete the repair and/or replacement? If so, go to step  21.
  15. Bleed the hydraulic brake system to observe for the presence of air in the system and to observe for an unrestricted and even flow of brake fluid per axle during the bleeding procedure. See HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - MANUAL  or HYDRAULIC BRAKE SYSTEM - PRESSURE  under BLEEDING. Was there air in the system? If so, go to step  19. If not, go to next step.
  16. Was the flow of brake fluid unrestricted and even per axle during the bleeding procedure? If so, go to step  21. If not, go to the next step.
  17. Inspect the hydraulic brake pipes and flexible brake hoses for signs of a fluid restriction; such as being bent, kinked, pinched or damaged. See BRAKE PIPE AND HOSE INSPECTION  under ADJUSTMENTS & INSPECTIONS. Replace any of the hydraulic brake pipes and/or flexible brake hoses found to be bent, kinked, pinched, or damaged. See BRAKE HOSE  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION. If none of the hydraulic brake pipes or flexible brake hoses were visibly bent, kinked, pinched, or damaged, replace the hydraulic brake flex hose at the restricted location. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  21. If not, go to the next step.
  18. Replace the Brake Pressure Modulator Valve (BPMV) in order to correct the hydraulic brake dynamic rear proportioning mechanical operation. See BRAKE PRESSURE MODULATOR VALVE under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in appropriate ANTI-LOCK article. After repairs are complete, go to step  21.
  19. Inspect the hydraulic brake system components for brake fluid seepage at a seal and/or fitting location, which may have drawn air into the system. Inspect the hydraulic brake system components for evidence of a recent repair, which may have introduced air into the system. Repair or replace any of the components found to be installed incorrectly or seeping brake fluid. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to step  21. If not, go to the next step.
  20. Inspect the brake master cylinder for internal fluid leaks. See BRAKE SYSTEM INTERNAL LEAK TEST  under SYSTEM TESTS. Repair or replace the brake master cylinder if it is found to be leaking brake fluid internally. See MASTER CYLINDER  under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION, or MASTER CYLINDER  under OVERHAUL. Did you find and correct a condition? If so, go to the next step. If not, return to SYMPTOMS - HYDRAULIC BRAKES .
  21. Install or connect components that were removed or disconnected during diagnosis. Did you complete the operation? If so, the Hydraulic Brake System is okay. If not, return to SYMPTOMS - HYDRAULIC BRAKES .
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