Bleed Brakes????

aussie74GTV · #1 (**permalink**) 11-09-2003, 04:47 AM

I just want to be sure about this.....

Yesterday my brake lights weren't working on my GTV so after checking the fuses, I concluded that one of the two diaphragm switches just needed to be replaced.

Replacing the front switch was no problem but I'm wondering should I bleed my brakes now

I assumed that not much air could enter the system since brake fluid oozes out when you remove the switch. (I replaced it quickly and burnt my hand on the exhaust in the process!!). However I guess there would be a little air inside the new switch. I only just bled my brakes two weeks ago and its a pain in the @#@%!!!! to do it again. Is it necessary or am I freakin over nothing??

**papajam** · #2 (**permalink**) 11-09-2003, 05:11 AM

I'd think that if brake fluid oozed out, there'd be little chance of air getting in. Since the switches are located after the M/C and the boosters, a quick bleed should be a piece of cake.
So do the brake lights work? The two switches are wired in parallel so the brake lights should have worked even if one of switches goes bad.

aussie74GTV · #3 (**permalink**) 11-09-2003, 06:13 AM

The lights work now although it turned out (embarassingly) that the switch was not the problem.

After I installed the switch the brake lights still didn't work. I fiddled with the fuse and suddenly they worked. When I put the fuse cover back on - they stopped working again

I cleaned up all the fuse connectors and replaced all of the fuses and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Still, now I have a spare switch in my glovebox

So I can probably get away without bleeding the brakes.

Also I got new pads not long ago and they seem to be very noisy. What pads do you use and recommend???

**papajam** · #4 (**permalink**) 11-09-2003, 06:35 AM

Aaahhhh. The infamous 'dirty fuse' syndrome! Cleaning them every year or two helps to avoid those pesty electrical gremlins.

There's a brake pad thread here that may be of help. If our GTV ever gets reassembled, I have a set of Ferodo DS2500 that came highly recommended. But they look to be more for track use than for street. Bloody expensive too!!

aussie74GTV · #5 (**permalink**) 11-09-2003, 06:53 AM

I only checked the fuses for continuity initially and should have checked them more thoroughly. Ah-well, live and learn.

I think the pads I've got are ferodo although I'm not sure what type they are (haf to find the box). They work well just produce a lot of dust.