"no power brakes"

[revenant665]

i have recently had a problem on my q45, it rained here in phoenix and when i went through a big puddle my brakes started failing. figuring it was just wet pads, i was pumping, but it had no effect. 2 Days later the problem still exists, it feels as if i have no power brakes! and im getting a "stop lamp innoperative" code on my display...weird. i understand about the wet brakes sucking and the tires displacing water, but this is beyond that. any ideas? the brakes are really stiff, exactly like no power brakes..

[elwesso]

How is the fluid level?

[revenant665]

the fluid seems good, you know how it feels when the car is off, and the brakes are tight? thats how it is when running, also im getting a "stop lamp innoperative" code. but all 3 of my brake lights work.

[elwesso]

Well ive never heard of a booster on a Q failing... I might check either the check valve or the vacuum hose itself.

[revenant665]

ya the hose feels hard/dry rotted, and im sure the check valve has never been changed...

{also, have you ever heard a hissing noise comming from the dash(left of the steering wheel) when you depress the brakes for a few minutes(this has been happening before the current problem, i was just wondering if was related)}

[maxnix]

Sounds like your vacuum line is gone, if not your power booster.

When's the last time you flushed your brake fluid?

[revenant665]

ok since the last post, i have replaced the hose from the booster to the intake manifold - that didnt fix the problem but im sure it was needed! , also i found the pink-cased sensor for the stop lamp in the trunk, it looks like it got a little hot...no melted solder but alot of steam/heat marks, maybe i need a new "pink box" [ im getting a stop lamp innoperative message even though all my lights work!]

[maxnix]

Why do you think it is hot?

[revenant665]

because of the darkened area of the plastic connector, and the little circuit board has steam marks and heat marks...on the solder connectors...i already said that haha lol

[maxnix]

OK, let's try again.

For what reason do you think it is overheating?

[revenant665]

oh haha, im not sure, it all seemed to happen when i drove through what seemed like a small lake on a jam packed road, so there was no way around it. normaly those pink relays go out when bulbs do, because the excess voltage not being used shunts straight throught the purple relay and burns it up...thats where im confused all my lights work(so how did it burn up?), so maybe when i drove through the puddle the worn brake pad sensor shorted in the water causing the increase flow to burn up the box...or maybe when i pressed the brake in the water the voltage that was supposed to be used for the lights shorted in the water traveling through the frame then overheated the box....im not sure but its really annoying knowing theres a problem right in front of me and not being albe to identify it......blah

[maxnix]

OK, so have you replaced any bulbs lately or have you inspected your wiring and sockets?

[revenant665]

OK, so have you replaced any bulbs lately or have you inspected your wiring and sockets?

nope im sure they havent been replaced in a long time, i have never done it....think that might help?

[maxnix]

Better start checking them and the sockets and wiring. Something is failing and drawing too much power.
Modified by maxnix at 6:08 AM 2/21/2007

[texasoil]

don't forget about the brake lights in the rear window!