Power brake/ABS help needed

[camusmuse]

Hello all......

Here's my problem. The power brakes have gone out on my 1986 Lincoln Continental (Givenchy if it makes any difference). I was told that the ABS systen has shut down. I have had this happen before, it was "fixed" with an entire new master cylinder(very expensive). Well It worked fine for about a month then the same thing happened again(extremely hard pedal).

Here's my question. Can I "bypass" the ABS system electronically and just have regular power brakes with out replacing my master cylinder again?

Thanks for your time....

Nathan

[Bluegrass]

I respectfully mean no insult to your problem.
Sounds like the problem was never addressed correctly to begin with and you most likly didnot need a new master assembly. Having said that, I suspect the problem is power related.
The pump is powered from the 12 volt source thru a fuse link to a relay to the pump motor then ground.
Having a failure in this chain will cause hard pedal and no braking power.
The second part is the pressure switch in the master,sensing the low pressure operates the relay to run the pump as well as signal the control module and by lighting a lamp, there is a fault. Already having the master replaced would mean to me there is most likly no problem with it but rather outside with the other controlling circuits to the pump.
It is easy to hear weather the pump operates or not as a start.
My feeling is your problem is not complex but needs to be understood by whoever works on the problem. Any fault in those two circuits will cause the condition.
Loss of just the ABS function by design does not result in lost braking. The two functions are seperate. The term ABS is run togather with the regular braking and is miss leading.
This system cannot be altered to get around any problem other than the ABS function might not work and leave just regular brakes.
How the ABS functions is yet another subject.

[camusmuse]

I had a feeling I was given the shaft when I had the MC replaced. But my job kept me too busy to fix it myself. Your information is greatly appreciated. I'll take a look at this next time I see the car(being stored in the country).

Bluegrass huh? From Kentucky? Like the music? Really like your lawn? All the above??? I only ask because my dad's family is from KY, I grew up with/playing the music, but could care less about my lawn(Missouri crabgrass...hehe)

Thanks again Bluegrass....

[Bluegrass]

It's the music. Take a look at www.afba.org. (http://www.afba.org.)

[camusmuse]

Right on.....are you familar with Old and In the Way? I'd love to see some sort of tab for their stuff....granted alot of it is traditionally arranged, I'd like to know *their* licks...specifically Peter Rowan's guitar stuff. Again any info would be great......

[Bluegrass]

Sorry, I don't know the group.
We are assembling our band line up now, starting with the nationally known groups and working down to the local groups.

[Makers Mark]

I am having the same problem as camusmuse and have read Bluegrass' reply. My amber abs warning light does not come on, so I am concluding that my pressure sensor in the master is not working and does not signal the pump to turn on. Am I on the right track? Is there a way to temporarily bypass the switch to see if the pump is functional? Is there a way to check the relay?

[camusmuse]

Well I still havent found the time to go work on my Continental. Do you have the same year/model as mine Mark? I'll let ya know as soon as I start workin on mine. Any info you find would be greatly appreciated. Thanks...

Nate

[camusmuse]

Well I finally got my car in the city. Popped the hood and the brake fluid reservoir was empty, more than a quart later its back up to level....for now I suppose. I imagine that there is a leak somewhere, either way I'll probably have to bleed the brakes. Can I do this myself or do I have to have the "breakout box"? I've seen where other Lincolns with ABS can be bled by discharging the accumulator for the front and bleeding "high" pressure for the rear. Will this work on my 86 Cont? For that matter I have found very little info for my specific year/model. What other cars have the same systems(brakes, air suspension,etc etc) as mine? That might be a good sticky for the forum, at least for the not so common Lincoln owner.

Thanks again for your time.....

Nate

[Bluegrass]

Normally the system pressure will bleed the rear by just opening the bleeds a few seconds at a time allowing the pump to keep the pressure up. Make sure the fluid does not run low again while doing this.
On the front, use a helper to apply the brake pedal while bleeding the front, always making sure the reservior stays up to safty level until done.
There is a feed hose from the reservior down to the pump that often leaks. If the hose is ok but loose, try small hose clamps on each end.

[camusmuse]

I checked the reservoir line, no apparent leaks there. One thing I did notice..... With the key on and the engine off, pressing the brake pedal will cause the pump motor to operate. This happens every time I apply the pedal, usually for only a few seconds, but longer if I push the pedal further, but it always stops after a couple few seconds...It "sounds" like the pump is running ok. I'm looking at the accumulator as a problem(probably not the only one). What do you think?