ABS fuse
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
If this is a new 2 u purchase, it may have been left by PO to cover up problems with ABS system, which can run from $20 relay to wheel sensor to very high dollar pump.
ABS would tend to fail with almost no brakes, or with no impact at all. But spongy usually means air in lines somewhere, or flexible lines "swelling" under pressure, or a leak (like a brake caliper). Might be time to consider a brake system flsuh, which will take two large bottles of brake fluid. Plus inspect other components. Master cylinder could be part of the puzzle on the conventional brakes side, also not cheap, but only a fraction of an ABS pump.
The ABS fuse can be removed for diagnostic purposes. Some forum members drive without because they don't trust the Rover ABS design. Of course, with a Rover in an accident, frequently the other guy finds himself in the crumple zone.
ABS would tend to fail with almost no brakes, or with no impact at all. But spongy usually means air in lines somewhere, or flexible lines "swelling" under pressure, or a leak (like a brake caliper). Might be time to consider a brake system flsuh, which will take two large bottles of brake fluid. Plus inspect other components. Master cylinder could be part of the puzzle on the conventional brakes side, also not cheap, but only a fraction of an ABS pump.
The ABS fuse can be removed for diagnostic purposes. Some forum members drive without because they don't trust the Rover ABS design. Of course, with a Rover in an accident, frequently the other guy finds himself in the crumple zone.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 323
Likes: 10
In short, no. It just means that you have no functioning ABS. To put it simply - the ABS system has some sensors to let it know if your wheels are locked up, and a pump placed in parallel with your hydraulic circuit that essentially simulates you pumping the brake pedal really really fast when it thinks the wheels are locked up.
There are only two reasons why your pedal would feel spongy. either
a. There is air in your circuit which is being compressed
or
b. There is some loss of integrity somewhere in the circuit.
(a) may be remedied by flushing the lines/bleeding the system (which includes the master cylinder).
(b) means your system will no longer properly hold pressure and can include simple things like a straight up leak, or more insidious things like blown seals in the master cylinder or ballooned brake lines.
some questions that will need answers are:
-when you say "squishy", how far does the pedal "squish" before you get appropriate braking response?
-does the pedal fade gently when you are sitting at a light?
-is the fluid level low, or are there any obvious leaks?
-does it occasionally go to the floor, but can be "pumped up" again?
more info will help with a proper diagnosis
There are only two reasons why your pedal would feel spongy. either
a. There is air in your circuit which is being compressed
or
b. There is some loss of integrity somewhere in the circuit.
(a) may be remedied by flushing the lines/bleeding the system (which includes the master cylinder).
(b) means your system will no longer properly hold pressure and can include simple things like a straight up leak, or more insidious things like blown seals in the master cylinder or ballooned brake lines.
some questions that will need answers are:
-when you say "squishy", how far does the pedal "squish" before you get appropriate braking response?
-does the pedal fade gently when you are sitting at a light?
-is the fluid level low, or are there any obvious leaks?
-does it occasionally go to the floor, but can be "pumped up" again?
more info will help with a proper diagnosis
In short, no. It just means that you have no functioning ABS. To put it simply - the ABS system has some sensors to let it know if your wheels are locked up, and a pump placed in parallel with your hydraulic circuit that essentially simulates you pumping the brake pedal really really fast when it thinks the wheels are locked up.
There are only two reasons why your pedal would feel spongy. either
a. There is air in your circuit which is being compressed
or
b. There is some loss of integrity somewhere in the circuit.
(a) may be remedied by flushing the lines/bleeding the system (which includes the master cylinder).
(b) means your system will no longer properly hold pressure and can include simple things like a straight up leak, or more insidious things like blown seals in the master cylinder or ballooned brake lines.
some questions that will need answers are:
-when you say "squishy", how far does the pedal "squish" before you get appropriate braking response?
-does the pedal fade gently when you are sitting at a light?
-is the fluid level low, or are there any obvious leaks?
-does it occasionally go to the floor, but can be "pumped up" again?
more info will help with a proper diagnosis
There are only two reasons why your pedal would feel spongy. either
a. There is air in your circuit which is being compressed
or
b. There is some loss of integrity somewhere in the circuit.
(a) may be remedied by flushing the lines/bleeding the system (which includes the master cylinder).
(b) means your system will no longer properly hold pressure and can include simple things like a straight up leak, or more insidious things like blown seals in the master cylinder or ballooned brake lines.
some questions that will need answers are:
-when you say "squishy", how far does the pedal "squish" before you get appropriate braking response?
-does the pedal fade gently when you are sitting at a light?
-is the fluid level low, or are there any obvious leaks?
-does it occasionally go to the floor, but can be "pumped up" again?
more info will help with a proper diagnosis
-The pedal does not fade when holding it at a light
-I have been checking the fluid level and it is not low nor has it dropped since I bought it
-I does not go all the way to the floor, but it is close and it springs back up like it should every time
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 16,322
Likes: 88
From: Savannah Georgia
Does not sound like master cylinder. If it were under my tree I would start with brake fluid flush. While doing that with a helper you can put the Mark 1 eyeball on the rubber brake lines for swelling.
Rock Crawling
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 323
Likes: 10
X2 on a flush and bled to start out with. I found that I had good luck using a motive power bleeder.
A separate question for Savannah -
I recognize Buzz Bee of course, but not his hat and toolbox(?) - what does his ensemble represent?
just curious...
A separate question for Savannah -
I recognize Buzz Bee of course, but not his hat and toolbox(?) - what does his ensemble represent?
just curious...
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