No Brakes After Months Idle - No Fluid Loss -ABS

[Lionelgee]

Hello All,

Without there being any fluid loss - what could cause the brakes not to work after a vehicle has been left sitting idle for an extended period of time - months/years? The vehicle has ABS.

Prior to a non-vehicle related accident, the previous owner used the car their daily driver - so it had fully functioning brakes. When I bought the vehicle it had sat for a while and it brakes did not work. The brake reservoir is full and there is no sign of fluid leaking from each wheel. There are no signs of leaks around the master cylinder either. However, when stepped on the brake pedal just fades down to the floor and there is no braking force.

Is it a problem with the master cylinder?
Would the brakes still function if the brake booster was defective?
Is it a problem with both the master cylinder and the booster?
Could it be a problem with the ABS module?
Or could it be "All of the Above"

What steps or checks could I do to isolate and identify the possible cause?

I have only been able to find master cylinder overhaul/rebuild kits for Non-ABS master cylinders. Does anyone know a source of rebuild kits for an ABS master cylinder?

The vehicle's build date is May 1996.

My apologies for the string of questions.

Kind regards
Lionel

[Tombie]

Check for leaks in cabin at firewall and into the booster itself.

[4bee]

Check for leaks in cabin at firewall and into the booster itself.


Yep, it is time to check this when your feet slip on the floor when trying to enter the cab & you find yourself sliding out of the door again while scrabbling for a grip..[biggrin]

[BathurstTom]

Check for leaks in cabin at firewall and into the booster itself.
Yep, good advice. I had a problem with my 96 D1 with ABS - it turned out to be the proportioning valve. But do as Tombie said to see if your master cylinder is leaking and go from there.

Tom.