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I have a 1999 Chevy lumina car. my question is about ...
Sent to Car Experts February 20 02:46 PM

I have a 1999 Chevy lumina car. my question is about the brakes. My brakes went out suddenly while driving home, I was able to stop the car by applying steady pressure on the brake pedal. the will stop the car but I have to ease the pedal down way before the point of where I want to stop, also the braking action is soft, but stops the car. sometimes the brake pedal goes down to floor and it seems as if the car is not going to stop, but it does. there seems be no loss of brake fluid, the car also has an ABS system and several fuses, can you help me with this.

Optional Information:
1999 Chevrolet Lumina 3.1

Already Tried:
look for leaks

Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Status:  Closed   Value: $8
Answer
February 20 2:52 PM (6 minutes and 2 seconds later)
         
REPLIEDCheck Mark
Did you check the fluid level on the vehicle and is there any brake lights on. I had the same vehicle, only the 2 door or montecarlo. Thanks for the question.

If this was helpful to you please select accept, and if you have any other questions please do reply. Thank you Eric
ERIC KOHNKE -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 38 Car Accepts
Have worked on this exact vehicle and similar issue before.
Reply
February 20 3:19 PM (27 minutes and 18 seconds later)
         
THERE IS NO LIGHTS ON AND NO LOSS OF FLUID, YET THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Reply
February 20 3:21 PM (1 minute and 48 seconds later)
         
Reply to ERIC KOHNKE's Post: THERE IS NO LIGHTS ON AND NO LOSS OF FLUID. YET THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION.
Customer (name blocked for privacy)
Answer
February 20 3:29 PM (8 minutes and 9 seconds later)
         
ACCEPTEDCheck Mark
Ok if the fluid level has not changed there are a few things that can cause this. First if ther was any owrk done to the vehicle as of late, or the fluid level at any point was low in the reservoir on the master cylinder there may be air in the system and the breaks will have to be bleed. 2nd if you have drum brakes in the rear and the brakes are out of adjustment it can cause alot of free play in oyur brake pedal. The next reason is a mechanical issue with the master cylinder. If the cups and seals in the master cylinder are leaking, this does not mean leaking out of the system just that they are allowing fluid to pass when it is not sopposed to, it would severly take back or eliminate any effective breaking. Also rear wheel cylinders have a way of leaking slowly and gratly reducing breaking so you mat want to look into this. Break systems are relatively easy to diagnose and this is why most auto shops perform free brake checks and diagnosis so you may want to consider having that done. Thanks for the question and I hope this has met all your needs on the subject. Please remember to select accept.

If this was helpful to you please select accept, and if you have any other questions please do reply. Thank you Eric
ERIC KOHNKE -- Auto Mechanic -- 100% Positive Feedback on 38 Car Accepts
Have worked on this exact vehicle and similar issue before.
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