Replaced caliper and after bleeding the ABS system the brake pedal goes to the floor?

Tiny
TJOHN0617
  • MEMBER
  • 2016 GMC YUKON
  • 6.2L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 99,000 MILES
I just watched your video on YouTube “How to bleed an ABS system- step by step”. I replaced the front calipers and I know that mistakenly, air somehow got into the Master Cylinder. After bleeding the Master Cylinder twice and the rest of the brake system afterwards (twice), I get no air bubbles and the pedal gets firm as it should. However, when I turn on the engine, the pedal goes to the floor. I have no ABS lights on or any other warning lights. I can get the pedal to firm up while engine is running by pumping it up, but when I let off the pedal completely, it goes back to being spongy.

My question is, could there be air in the ABS module and if so, would there be a warning light? I do not have a scanner tool. I have tried to take it to a service shop here that does brakes, a chain place called Mavis Tire and Brakes, however, I was too honest apparently (simply told them I did the caliper replacements, didn’t mention losing a lot of brake fluid), but they told me that they basically would not “work behind someone else”. This was really frustrating considering that’s usually the purpose of service shops, to fix what normal folks don’t know how to do.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated.
Sunday, November 5th, 2023 AT 6:51 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Good call there, they should help you. The first thing that comes to mind is air stuck in the ABS controller, you must use a scanner to open the valve when bleeding. Next is you must remove the master cylinder for bleeding on the bench, please watch this video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg?si=p2WZSGnmIaNtRyMn

Also, make sure the brake caliper hose is not twisted. Here is a guide to help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/brake-pedal-goes-to-the-floor

Please check the caliper slides to make sure the caliper can move freely back and forth. Let us know what happens and please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Sunday, November 5th, 2023 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
TJOHN0617
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I thought about this after I asked the question earlier, the video below is the rear passenger caliper being bled using the bottle method with the end of the line submerged in brake fluid. In the video, the line goes upward from the bleeder valve then downward into the bottle that is sitting on the floor. That’s when I was seeing the air bubbles. If I raised the whole bottled up (sat it on the axle, making it be completely above the bleeder valve) the bubbles stopped. Should I have just left it sitting on the floor until the bubbles stopped?

This was the only brake line I have had air bubbles like that none of the others did no matter if the bottle was above or below the bleeder valve.
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Sunday, November 5th, 2023 AT 12:35 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Are you pushing on the brake pedal when you get the bubbles? If not, air could be getting let in from the threads of the bleeder. Also, did you remove the master and bench bleed it? A scanner will be needed to open the ABS module valves.
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Monday, November 6th, 2023 AT 8:16 AM
Tiny
TJOHN0617
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Okay, I figured that part out, It was coming from around the threads. So, this morning I took to Midas, and they did the auto bleed and it didn’t help. They said it’s either the master cylinder or the ABS module. The ABS module kicks in when I hit the brakes hard, so I don’t think it’s that.

Is it likely the master cylinder then? Or could it be the brake booster (if I have one?) Sorry, I’m a 35-year-old single woman working a full-time job and a half learning a lot and know how to do a lot thanks to YouTube but 2 weeks ago I knew nothing about brakes...

When I’m driving, I can quick pump quick pump quick pump, and the brakes work like usual. Then I let off for a few seconds and it goes back to how it was.

When the truck is off, I can pump pump pump and it gets tight.

How can I know for sure if it’s a bad master cylinder and not something else?
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Tuesday, November 7th, 2023 AT 10:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice work learning about brakes and cars in general, they play such a large role in our lives. Yep, that sounds like a classic brake master cylinder failure. Here is a generic guide to help you step by step with instructions in the diagrams below to show you how on your car:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-brake-master-cylinder

and this video will show how to bleed it before installation:

https://youtu.be/WDxvEQrMkBg?si=ePoyGIJ1NoJn2SOg

Check out the images below. Please upload pictures or videos of the problem so we can see what's going on.
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 AT 8:46 AM
Tiny
TJOHN0617
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Thank you for your help! Replaced it last night!
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Wednesday, November 8th, 2023 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Nice work I am glad you got it fixed, Use 2CarPros anytime, we are here to help. Please tell a friend.
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Thursday, November 9th, 2023 AT 7:35 AM

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