Anti-Lock Brake Light on..?

[9dawgs]

Is it normal for the anti-lock brake light on the instrument panel to stay on? The reason I ask is that my wife, who normally drives the Discovery, has been telling me that the brakes act strange once in awhile. They seem to not want to stop the vehicle in a reasonable distance unless you stomp on the pedal. I know that I have a leaky caliper on the right rear wheel but the fluid in the resevoir hasn't dropped any noticible amount so I know there is fluid in the system. The only reason I know it's leaking is because it appears "wet". Thanks for your input.

[pavel]

9dawgs - no, the ABS light should go out after driving 50 feet or so. As to your Disco's strange braking behaviour, you might check out that all 4 calipers are working properly. Perhaps go to a Midas shop and ask for a free check up. Of course, they will find everything imaginable wrong with your brakes but at least they will confirm your rear brake leak etc.
If you are so inclined, it's best to get the wheels off and check everything yourself, how old are the pads, are they wearing evenly; what about your rotors; are the ABS sensors dirty or damaged?

[Disco Mike]

Your fluid leak is a saftey issue and you shouldn't let your wife drive the truck unless you have lots of life insurance on her.
As for the ABS light, it can be on because you have brake fluid on the wheel sensor, or there is fluid on the rotor causing it not not at the same rate as the other side causing the sensor to send a bad count to the ECU.
Get one or both calipers replaced, depending on how many miles are on them, and then do a complete brake flush to get rid of your old burned fluid.
Mike

[Rovin4life]

Could be an axle leak, with the axle oil contaminating the pads causing the spongy feeling.


and the ABS lite needs to be diagnosed.

But if you want to do it youself heres a little tip,

Take a flat head screwdriver and a hammer and very gently tap on the abs sensor end. They loosen up and end up causing an large airgap code.

Do it on all the sensors. Then test drive. It might go out. if it doesnt then have it diagnosed.


And no way would I bring any car to midas. Those guys get paid to sell brake packages. Not fix your car. I know the guys there just sell caliper rotor packages on every car cause they get a spiff for the amount of money they generate. Not the hours they turn. So for every caliper and rotor package they sell they get money. This comes from all the tool guys that come around the shop.

They may end up selling you calipers and rotors and not even fix your leak. Just spray some brake clean on the oil and clean it off.

Trust me if you got a seriously leaking caliper you will know. the level always drops.

[Disco Mike]

I second that, don't go to Midas, they are such a joke, sell crap and couldn't diagnois a leaking oil filter.
If you have to get it checked, make sure you go to agood Rover shop where they know what they are doing and have the equipment to read for codes, most shops don't.
Mike