Stratus brake problems

[135sohc]

1995 Stratus disc/drum with ABS. Complaint being poor brake performance... I get in it and yeah its bad. MC reservior was empty... Didnt see any puddles of fluid underneath the car. I did replace the front rotors/pads not that long ago and everything was 'ok' at that time. Take off the LF wheel and crack the bleeder open to try and get something out of it. Got one pump cycle with the pedal and then nothing. Fluid level in the MC didnt change at all. Pedal went totally to the floor. pumping the pedal made zero braking effort like it wasnt even building pressure. With the extremely limited knowledge found via the internet the ABS system featured on this car is well known to fail but should not take out the regular braking system nor should this car require a scan tool to cycle the ABS valve.

~Edit~unlocked

[135sohc]

Dont know why or how this thread got locked (Thanks Bryan)

I ended up bypassing the ABS system entirely and installing a prop valve from a disc/drum Spirit. Pumping the pedal seemed to build pressure so fingers crossed this thing can be saved without dumping more money into a new MC.

[turbovanman²]

If the fluid is low, you have a leak, plain and simple. You gotta find it otherwise as you should know, replacing parts is just a waste of time and money.

[135sohc]

I think the problem was entirely within the ABS assembly, dont ask me why or how but I could not find an external leak at all.

[turbovanman²]

Weird,

[85boostbox]

Did you check wheel cylinders.

[black86glhs]

ABS units will leak internally. It sounds like the seals on the actuators were leaking pressure and causing the low pedal/mushy pedal. At first I thought it couldn't be the ABS, but I have had some GM's come in leaking and causing base brake issues. Hopefully it is taken care of.

[135sohc]

Tried everything possible but it appears the MC was also part of the system failure here. Absolutely zero fluid flowing from the rear outlet. Took the reservoir off and cleaned out alot of gunk but to no avail. Could get nothing more than a few drops of fluid even with benchbleeding and putting a mityvac on it. Replacement unit being ordered tomorrow...

[135sohc]

Got the cylinder installed last night just as the rain started. Kinda nasty outside this AM but by a miracle all the bleeder screws opened right up and things progressed quickly without anymore BS popping up. Brake pedal is very firm and the car stops probably better than it ever has other than the day it was new. Shadetree engineering and a T-M parts hoard FTMFW

[black86glhs]

Nice work.