And then there were no brakes

**Milton477** · 16th December 2007, 03:12 PM

Coming home from a dump run, applied brakes to slow to turn into our street & the brakes had ..well...gone?? The pedal was still up but like there was no vacuum or power assistance. Grabbed first, waited 10 min while the auto box responded & then managed to stop with a combination of the handbrake & the brakes. Finished the journey in low range. Don't need an afternoon snooze after that adrenaline rush.

Now I had a new alternator some 20 000 km ago & I know that the vacuum pump on a TD5 is part of the alternator.

Where do I start looking? Any thoughts anyone?

**dobbo** · 16th December 2007, 03:21 PM

I presume you were towing a trailor at the time. If so has it got brakes and is so what type of braking system is on the trailor

ie electric, hydraulic or cable

**Slunnie** · 16th December 2007, 03:21 PM

I would start looking around the alternator to check that the vacuum hose is still on. Also, while you're there, the vac pump is lubricated through the engines lubrication system, so also make sure the oil lines are on properly. The sad thing is that the alternator/vac pump are buried under everything and they're difficult to feel around for, so you may need to remove an intercooler hose to gain access.

**Milton477** · 16th December 2007, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by dobbo

I presume you were towing a trailor at the time. If so has it got brakes and is so what type of braking system is on the trailor

ie electric, hydraulic or cable

Just a little cage trailer with no brakes.

**Milton477** · 16th December 2007, 03:34 PM

Originally Posted by Slunnie

I would start looking around the alternator to check that the vacuum hose is still on. Also, while you're there, the vac pump is lubricated through the engines lubrication system, so also make sure the oil lines are on properly. The sad thing is that the alternator/vac pump are buried under everything and they're difficult to feel around for, so you may need to remove an intercooler hose to gain access.

I have removed the acoustic cover & all seems ok. Where the vacuum hose joins the brake booster it seems loose though.

Rory

**Milton477** · 16th December 2007, 03:56 PM

Does anyone know where the best place is to check for vacuum is. The pipe from the pump to the brake booster does not look like the type that will be able to be pulled off then pushed back on again.

Is there a switch in the vacuum system that I could test with a multimeter which changes state when a vacuum is present?

**Blknight.aus** · 16th December 2007, 04:26 PM

put your foot hard on the brakes with the engine off after pumping them 5 or 6 times then start the engine. IF the pedal doesnt sink you have no vaccume or a shot booster.

**JDNSW** · 16th December 2007, 05:44 PM

While sudden failure like that could be the pump or booster, I would be looking for a broken or disconnected line.

John

**Milton477** · 16th December 2007, 07:26 PM

Thanks for all the replies.
It turns out that the pump has collapsed. You can just see the bits between the shaft & the front flange in the photo. Fortunately, when the new alternator was fitted, I asked for the old one back. All I did today was unbolt the old vac pump from the old alternator & fit it to the new alternator.

Now for a discussion with MR Automotive about their guarantee on new parts.

DSCN2116.jpg

**justinc** · 16th December 2007, 07:29 PM

Now THAT is an unusual failure I must say.

Good thing you kept the oldie!!

JC

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