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ABS Failure?

Discussion in 'Generation 1 Prius Discussion' started by ansobu, Sep 11, 2010.

  1. ansobu

    ansobu Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 9, 2010
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    Location:
    43320
    Vehicle:
    2001 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Hi all, I just bought a 2001 Prius with 68,000 miles. The ABS and Brake lights are lit up on the dash, and I am experiencing some odd braking indeed....

    As far as I can tell, it is not leaking fluid anywhere. I have sufficient braking power for 3-10 seconds, then I seem to lose pressure.

    It's like the ABS pump just stops working, the majority of the time it is fine, however if I am sitting at a light I tend to lose pressure in the system.

    Like I said though, I also have sufficient braking power for 3-10 seconds... So if I stomp the brakes, it stops immediately.

    Another oddity is that when I first get in my car, it feels like my brake pedal has *some* pressure, then it firms right up after 2 seconds of being on the brake pedal.

    Any ideas what this could be?? I checked all of the relays and fuses Mr. Wilson provided to check in the last thread "c1256-low-pressure-accumulator-abs-beepabout" about another ABS failure...

    Any help is appreciated!!!

    FYI I have stopped driving the car because of the brake issue....seems to unsafe for me!
     
  2. bwilson4web

    bwilson4web BMW i3 and Model 3

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2005
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    Location:
    Huntsville AL
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    Prime Plus


    I wish I could help but brakes are an area of exceptional sensitivity. Personally, I would recommend taking it to a dealer or perhaps the independent mechanics listed in the recent thread. Our brake system behaves differently than ordinary brakes so I would not have much faith in a traditional, brake shop. The mechanic really needs to understand the system.

    Bob Wilson