brakes work untill you pump them then the pedal gets firm and the braking decreases whats up

Asked by warnerjdw Dec 21, 2010 at 07:59 AM about the 2002 Volkswagen Golf GL TDI

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2 Answers

305

It sounds like it may be a problem with the brake booster or the surrounding vacuum system. Does the engine run differently when the brakes get harder? Do you hear a hissing sound from around the brake master cylinder area while the engine is running? Try running the engine in park or neutral and pumping the brakes while listening to the engine and watching the rpm. You can set the parking brake to keep from rolling if its a manual. It has its own linkage and wont affect the main hydraulic brakes you're testing. Im not telling you to go buy a new brake booster. Im just saying you may want to take a look at it and the surrounding vacuum lines.

You were right in your assumtion of the vacuum system failure! The line to the booster was shot . Thanks a million!! Jack

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