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'06 Dodge Caravan (6 cly small engine) loss of breaks - peddle all the way to the floor

'06 Dodge Caravan (6 cyl small engine ~ 100K) loss of breaks - peddle all the way to the floor. Pumping did not good.

One time occurrence, no idea of the cause unable to duplicate no matter what we try.

My DIL (van full of grand kids) had this happen one time. Since she is a careful diver no harm came of the incident except that I'm now driving the van until we find the cause and fix the problem

I can't find any information on or off line on what may be the proximate cause much less what to do so that it does not happen again.

Any ideas suggestions recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Reply to
NotMe
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I would check the brake fluid reservoir level first. If it is very low, check for leaks. If no leaks, you need brake pads, and a good bleeding of the system. If leaks, fix or replace the leaky parts. If level is good, I would suspect a Master Cylinder failure and would swap it out for a new one, fill and bleed the system. A new Master Cylinder should be less than $100.

Also ask your DIL if anyone 'helped' by filling the brake fluid reservoir, and if so, with what.

Reply to
FMB

Thanks for the responce.

The only thing in your list not done yet is replacing the Master Cylinder. Fluids are checked on a regular PMI cycle and that should not be an issue and no one other than qualified family has been under the hood. Family vehicles often have in excess of 300K and still tickin'. My pride was a

63VW with over 600K (many many engine rebuilds but that's not unusual in AirCooled VWs) that was lost to Katrina. :{

Someone on another list suggested:

"There have been reports of a steering stop problem that allows the caliper to be pushed back if the steering is turned to full lock in one direction. This will cause the caliper piston to be fully depressed and could require quite a few full pedal strokes to take up the clearance and provide a firm pedal (and braking power) Might be worth trying cranking in full lock both ways, then checking pedal travel."

Tried that an no joy (so far) on that being the problem.

Reply to
NotMe

Steering stop issue? I've never heard of that issue before, but then again, I'm a shade tree mechanic. I don't have any high mileage vehicles but my '03 CTD is approaching 250k miles.

Just read the manual on my truck and another possible culprit could be the ABS or RWAL system leaking internally with no visual evidence. I don't know if your Caravan has that or not, even so, I'd replace the Master Cylinder.

Good luck,

Reply to
FMB

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