1993 Plymouth Voyager brakes don't work

Tiny
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  • 1993 PLYMOUTH VOYAGER
Brakes problem
1993 Plymouth Voyager 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Automatic

I replaced my brake pads as they were getting worn down, they appeared to be worn evenly and rotors were in good shape. I replaced the pads and bled the system several times, but I could not gain pressure in the brake pedal when the vehicle was running, not running pressure was stiff as it was supposed to be.
It was then that it was determined my master cylinder needed to be replaced, so I purchased a new one and installed it according to directions. I then bled the system again with the vehicle off, and had perfect brake pressure. When I turn the vehicle on, pressure gradually decreases until pedal goes to the floor. If I pump the brakes enough pressure will build, but the van will not stop regardless of pressure, I tried to test drive it on my property and only the parking brake will stop my vehicle.
The fluid level is good, I don't see any liquid leaking from any brake lines or calipers, and I don't hear any air. The only symptom that might help clear up what the actual problem with my van might be that the brake pedal itself sounds as though it's pushing air somewhere when I push it down, whether it's coming in or going out I couldn't tell you. As well, when I am pumping the brake to try and build pressure with the vehicle on, the parking brake light comes on. That took a while to notice, as the park brake was always on when I was working with it, but on the test drive I noticed when the pressure is low, my park brake light is on, as it builds the parking brake light comes off, but I don't stop and no matter how much I pump the brake up, it doesn't help to stop my vehicle.
Does this problem sound like anything fixable? I researched the internet and tried every solution, nothing is working or giving me a clue as to where to go from here.
Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 5:09 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
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I'm not sure why you were bleeding the brakes at all if all you were doing is changing the pads.
Did you actually have the calipers off the car completely and disconnected?
Do you have access to a pressure bleeder?
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 5:26 PM
Tiny
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I had the calipers off to change the pads, leaving the caliper dangling off of the brake line can cause it to fail as far as I know.
I do not have access to a pressure bleeder.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:13 PM
Tiny
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OK, I suspect that you may have returned the calipers to the wrong side of the car. Examine it again and see if the bleeder screw is at the highest point of the caliper. If it is below the line, the calipers are on the wrong side.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:17 PM
Tiny
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I only did the front brakes, the back has no pads. I also only removed one at a time, so there is no way I could have switched them. But I checked them out again anyway, they look fine to me. I may remove them and reattach them just in case, but being on the wrong side isn't possible. Being upside down doesn't really make sense either, they only go one way.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:40 PM
Tiny
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No, it can be done on most cars and has been done many times. It traps an air pocket at the top that can't be bled out.

This van is equipped with a height sensing proportioning valve. If you are trying to bleed this with the rear wheels hanging, the valve may be restricting the flow to the rear wheels.
Your probably going to need a pressure bleeder here to get all the air out of it.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 6:52 PM
Tiny
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I can try a pressure bleeder, does this mean I have them attached correctly, or do I have to flip them over or something? They are not on the wrong sides, I only took off one tire at a time, did the entire process and then switched to the other wheel, only one was detached at a time. I read your response as them being upside down, and it happens all the time. I just want to make sure I'm not wasting my time and money again, I want to be clear about what I should do.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 7:07 PM
Tiny
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No, don't worry about that. They have to be on the wrong side for that to happen.
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Monday, August 16th, 2010 AT 7:09 PM

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