Brakes going to the floor

The brakes were going to the floor no visible leaks so I changed the master cylinder, bleeded the brakes and the brakes are still going to the floor

My car has 176 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
Hi there. From the description you have provided, your vehicle brake pedal going to the floor before and after the brake master cylinder replacement, is a safety concern. I recommend not driving your vehicle until, this problem is resolved. Your safety is priority one. Assuming, you followed procedure replacing the brake master cylinder, bench bled, and properly bled the system. It could be, the ABS (anti-lock brake system) electo-hydraulic modulator allowing brake fluid to bypass internally, resulting in the brake pedal going to the floor. I recommend having your vehicle’s brakes(https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/brake-safety-inspection) be diagnosed and repaired by a certified technician, such as one from YourMechanic.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

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One of the most common reasons for your brakes touching the floor would be an issue with your brake fluid. Your fluid being low or air reaching the brake line will prevent the fluid from flowing properly, resulting in a spongy pedal. A bad brake booster is another common cause for a malfunctioning pedal.
If the brake pedal sinks to the floor when the engine is running then there may be a problem with the brake booster.
Brake System Leak

Unresponsive brakes or the `brake pedal goes to floor` symptom is a possible indication of a leak in your braking system. With a leak, an incorrect amount of hydraulic fluid will flow through your brake system— hindering your braking ability. A brake system leak could stem from many sources.

Master Cylinder Wear: If your master cylinder is older, it can sustain enough wear and tear that it loses fluid pressure. This is generally caused by a fluid leak at the master cylinder. Again, any loss of fluid pressure will lead to a brake pedal that feels spongy or soft.
The most likely cause of a sinking pedal with no external leakage is a faulty brake master cylinder that`s leaking internally. Were the brakes hot, we might consider boiling fluid due to moisture contamination or friction material gassing.
These could be some reasons you have no brake pressure after bleeding your brakes: Air in the brake lines. Brake fluid leak somewhere in the system (check your fluid level to make sure it`s remained at the right amount) Faulty seal in the master cylinder.
Cadence braking or stutter braking is a driving technique that involves pumping the brake pedal and is used to allow a car to both steer and brake on a slippery surface. It is used to effect an emergency stop where traction is limited to reduce the effect of skidding from road wheels locking up under braking.
It`s caused by worn out brake pads rubbing on the brake rotor. If you let it go too long, the worn pads can damage the rotor so they`ll have to be replaced as well. If you`re lucky, it could be just a pebble stuck in the calipers that could fall out on its own.
On the 2011 Ford Edge, the diaphragm can develop a small tear in its structure, letting air come into the otherwise pressurized part of the system. When this happens, the brake pedal will feel spongy underfoot, and you may hear a hissing noise coming from the booster.
This can be due to a number of problems: a leak in a brake line, a loss of pressure within the master cylinder itself due to a failed seal, or air being introduced into the braking system. Your first reaction to encountering spongy brakes should be to rapidly pump the brake pedal with your foot.
The brake calipers press the brake pads against the rotor to slow down or stop a vehicle. Braking produces extensive heat as it relies on friction. The produced heat may damage the brake calipers that become corroded and affect the fluid pressure, thus causing soft and spongy brakes.
The most common causes of your brakes not releasing is a seized caliper or brake pad. This typically occurs due to rusting or ageing. Typically, you will notice your vehicle pulling to one side when you press down on your brakes.
In general, whenever you are bleeding an ABS-equipped vehicle you can do so exactly as you would any other vehicle – stroke the pedal to pressurize the system, open a bleeder, close the same bleeder, and repeat.
ABS sensors are cylindrical magnets surrounded by a coil, and mounted inside the disc brake support. They are subject to collect metallic debris from the pads, which will degrade the generated signals to the ABS computer, causing it to actuate ABS inappropiately, evident by the brake pedal pulsating.
Increased braking distance is a clear sign of bad or failing brake boosters. Warning lights, such as the ABS, or anti-lock braking system, will activate if you have an electronic brake booster system failure. Fluid leakage is typical for hydraulic booster failure.
With the car turned off, pump the brake pedal four or five times until you get a hard brake pedal. Continue to hold the brake pedal down with moderate pressure and start the vehicle. The brake pedal should drop. If this brake pedal remains hard, there is a problem with the brake booster, such as a ripped diaphragm.
Yes master cylinders can fail without leakage, the clutch master cylinder has a piston inside and there are separate channels for hi-pressure line and return(low pressure) line and their location in the cylinder differs for manufacturers.
You do not have to pump your brakes. In fact, if you pump them while braking hard, you will lose the benefits of the ABS. During emergency hard braking, apply firm pressure to the brake pedal; do not take your foot off the brake until your vehicle comes to a full stop. Essentially, brake and steer.
Your brakes work on fluid pressure. If the braking system cannot build up the pressure necessary to operate the system, your pedal will feel strange. In some cases, it will be spongy and soft. In others, you`ll have to pump the brakes.
Common signs of a faulty vacuum brake booster check valve include the brake pedal being difficult to engage, feeling spongy, or not working at all.
One of the most obvious signs that you have air in the brake lines is that the brake pedal will feel spongy when you press it down.
Unfortunately, on the 2010 Edge, the diaphragm has the potential to develop a small tear that eliminates its ability to hold pressure. When that happens, you will notice that it`s much harder to press the brake pedal down. It`s also common to hear a hissing noise coming from the booster as you activate the brakes.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2020 Mustang vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions. The brake pedal bracket may fracture during sudden stopping. A broken brake pedal could affect braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

abs light on brake line broke have been replace I bleed brake line but brake pad still go to the floor now wheels lock up
ANSWER : Hello. If the brake pedal is going to the floor then that means that it is not building pressure. If the brake system has been fully bled and there is no air in it then most of the time it is a bad master cylinder or it can be caused by a bad ABS module. If the brake fluid was low and if air got into the system then the only way to properly bleed it is with a scan tool that would allow you to open and close the valves in the ABS unit. Air gets trapped in these easily if the brake fluid gets low. This can also explain why the brakes are locking up. I would usually use my scan tool to bleed the system out first before going any further. I would also scan the brake control module to see what it is reading as a fault. If there is no air in the system and if there is no prominent code then I would replace the master cylinder first. If you want to check out why your brakes are locking up, consider YourMechanic, as a certified mechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose and repair this.

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When I put my foot on the brake my back left brake light goes off, when I take it off the brake the brake light comes on
ANSWER : I would suggest trying to disconnect and reconnect the wiring to the rear lights. I have seen these older Toyota vehicles rear lighting short out on the lights themselves due to the way the light circuit was made on the lamp housing. Look at the housing circuit on the light to see if one is touching another, and that could tell you why it is malfunctioning. There could also be a problem with the brake light switch. If you are not comfortable dealing with wires, I recommend getting in touch with a certified mechanic who can look at your brake light issue for you to see what’s going on.

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Why is my brake pedal going all the way down to the floor?
ANSWER : If you are having to refill the brake fluid from it getting low and the brakes go to the floor means you have a leak in the brake system somewhere. You may have a broken brake line, leaking wheel cylinder or caliper. You should not drive the vehicle until the brake system is inspected and repaired from the leak.

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EPC light on 2004 Jetta. Code said brake switch faulty, but brakes lights worked. Replaced brake switch, now no brake lights.
ANSWER : Hi there. The first thing that pops in my mind beyond of what you have listed is perhaps the electrical harness attached to the brake switch. Perhaps the harness itself is damaged or you have an exposed wire, loose ground wire somewhere. You might want to have a professional mobile mechanic come to your location and complete a brake lights not working inspection to help you diagnose this issue.

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Low brake pedal and anti-lock brakes are not kicking in.
ANSWER : The brake pedal is working to stop the vehicle, but there may be air in the controller unit causing the ABS brakes to not function. I recommend bleeding the brake system from the farthest location from the master cylinder to the master cylinder including the ABS unit. If the brakes are still spongy after a full bleed, then the controller will need to be replaced. If you need further assistance with your brake pedal being spongy, then seek out a professional, such as one from Your Mechanic, to help you.

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I replaced the brake light switch. Gear lever unlocked because it had locked. Now the brakes feel hard.
ANSWER : Hi, thanks for writing in. You need to check the brake switch install adjustment. You may have the switch adjusted too tight and it is holding the the brake pedal partly down. This will cause the brake master cylinder to not release the brakes when you let off the pedal. Readjust the switch away from the pedal until you feel some free play again in the pedal. This should fix the problem. If you would like help, consider having an expert automotive technician from YourMechanic come to your home or office to inspect and diagnose this issue for you, and make or suggest any repairs as needed.

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Supportive bar attached to brake pedal interrupts proper braking process
ANSWER : It’s possible to have someone alter the brake pedal or adapt a brake pedal from a different vehicle. You may call around to some customization shops to see if anyone is interested in taking on the project. But first, I would try reaching out to the selling dealer with your concern – especially since it is a new model. Good luck.

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Brakes won’t let go after changeing main brake cylinder.
ANSWER : Rule out obvious causes such as sticking calipers. If you are positive that the caliper pistons are free and the pins in the torque plate are free as well, measure the brake line pressure at each wheel to determine both if the pressures are correct (and proportioning valve is working) and if pressure releases. If pressure is not releasing, see if failure to release is in one or both circuits (the brake system is sectionalized for safety). If the problem is global, the master cylinder is stuck. If this does not resolve it, request a brake system diagnostic – pressure testing and the responding certified mechanic will get this resolved for you. If you have further questions or concerns, do not hesitate to re-contact YourMechanic as we are always here to help you.

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