Random fast pumping of the brake pedal when stopping

Tiny
RAY DICKERSON2
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
Intermittently, when depressing the brake pedal, the pedal pumps very fast and you can hear a grinding sound coming from what seems to be the brake pressure modulator valve. This does not happen all of the time, maybe one in ten times when using the brake.
Any ideas?
Saturday, June 3rd, 2017 AT 2:20 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
That is called "false activation" of the ABS system. GM has had a real big problem with their front-wheel-drive front wheel bearings developing a little normal slop in as little as 15,000 miles. The built-in wheel speed sensors develop rather wimpy signals to start with. Add that slop in the bearing, and the signal can drop to such a low level, the computer cannot read it, and it thinks that wheel stopped rotating.

To identify this, watch the wheel speeds on a scanner, during a test-drive. You will see one of them drop to 0 mph when the activation occurs. That typically occurs below about 20 mph.
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Friday, March 12th, 2021 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
RAY DICKERSON2
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Is there a remedy for this issue?
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Friday, March 12th, 2021 AT 11:12 AM
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,916 POSTS
Replace the wheel bearings. If you save them, they can be used on a different car that doesn't have anti-lock brakes.
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Friday, March 12th, 2021 AT 11:12 AM

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