Problems bleeding the brakes

[HunterH]

2005 Ford Ranger Edge 4.0L 4x4 ABS Extended Cab

I recently replaced the front calipers on my 2005 Ford Ranger due to a cracked piston. The brakes were a little spongy before this but not terrible. I flushed the brake system before putting the new calipers in to remove all the old fluid. I then installed the new calipers and bled the brakes from the rear pass, the rear driver, fr pass, and finally fr driver. Air bubbles came out of the system like normal and went away after bleeding. The pedal felt firm and short inside the vehicle as it should've.

When I turned the truck on, the brake pedal became very soft and long to press down. I checked all of the brake system for leaks and found a leak coming from the master cylinder, between the brake booster. I replaced the master cylinder, making sure to bench bleed it first, then rebleed the whole brake system with it installed. The brake pedal felt very firm.

I started the truck again and the brake pedal is still soft. I'm not sure if air is trapped in the abs pump or somewhere else, possibly, but I honestly don't know where to go from here. I can't find any info online of people bleeding the abs pump. The only other thing I think it could be is a vacuum leak within the brake booster, but I feel like that would make the pedal super hard, not soft. Thanks for your time.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Its likely got air in the ABS pump.

Im not sure how to bleed that out...you might need a shop to do it with a scanner

 

[Uncle Gump]

Adjust the rear brakes...

 

[Shran]

I am betting you have air trapped in the ABS pump. I believe you can use Forscan, which is free, to bleed the ABS system but you will need a USB -> OBD2 dongle. Some of the better scan tools have an ABS service feature too.

 

[Eddo Rogue]

What these guys said. Gotta trigger the ABS to let fluid through. Most new/shop grade scanners have the ability to do. I just sent my fusion off to the shop for a pressure bleed w the ABS unlocked. I was having no luck doing it manually or with a Mity Vac or with speed bleeders.

 

[HunterH]

I bled the abs and the brakes are back to normal, thanks guys.

 

[Jazzer]

But how’d you do it? Someone looking at this thread later with the same problem might need to know.

Glad you got it done!

 

[Eddo Rogue]

But how’d you do it? Someone looking at this thread later with the same problem might need to know.

Glad you got it done!

+1 I am having the same problem w/ '11 fusion. Gave up and dropped it off at a buddys shop who has the scanner for ABS. Hopefully its not the ABS module, for its discontinued.