Brake Problem - need advice!

sozbox

Hi,

Need a bit od advice on a problem I had today.

I just picked my car up from an auto electrician who was doing some work on the brake wiring as the brake lights were't staying on.

After about 3 miles driving , the car suddenly locked up, wouldn't move, smell of burning rubber and smoke coming from the front.

It turns out the brakes were overheating.

Is it possible that this can be caused by an electrical problem? Maybe related to the ABS somehow?

I don't want to put the blame on the auto electrician but it seems to be too much of a co-incidence to happen right after the work was done.

Thanks in advance!

mickdw

If its a modern car, it is certainly possible that he caused the problem as the days of chopping into wiring are long gone.

Did you notice that the brakes were binding? They must have been if they over heated.

sozbox

Apologies, the car is a 1996 BMW E39.
What do you mean by binding?

Thanks!

mickdw

BY binding, I mean a little bit 'on' - like driving with the hand brake partially on?

sozbox

yes, that happened then a few seconds later the car just wouldn't move. Had to let them cool down then was able to drive a few metres before the same thing happened, first binging then a total lock up.

Is there anything he could have done electrical wise to cause this? He's away til Monday so won't be able to contact til then.

mickdw

He would have to be the first person to contact anyway as it is possible that he did something depending on what he actually had to do to get your brake lights working.
I assume you have ESP (stabiity program or some similar system). That being the case, the car has the capability of applying the brakes itself so wiring problems could be doing this.
If no stability program, I would be more inclined to say that it was pure mechanical & just a sticking brake.

Ghost Train

Strange one... wouldn't think anything electrical would influence the brakes like that... if working close to the brakes maybe mistake was made when refitting parts removed to work on original problem

DublinDilbert

Would doubt it's to do with the electrical work. Although ESP systems do have the ability to apply the brakes, they can only pulse the braking system rather than lock things up solid.

Get them go bind again, then jack up the front and see if you can rotate each of them by hand. If they won't rotate try knocking off the ignition an see if theres any difference.

I would guess one of your front calipers is sticking...

sozbox

Thanks mickdw, good points there.

I was thinking maybe the ABS was kicking in and causing the brakes to lock? If that's possible.

sozbox

Thanks for the reples so far, I called him today and he said he will come and look at it so at least he's being reasonable about it.

Does anyone else know of any electrical reason why this would happen?
I know it can be explained mechanically but it just seems to much of a co-incidence that it happend 5 mins after I collected the car.

crosshair1

Original lights staying on problem most likely caused by brake light switch adjustment problem, when your auto elec readjusted or replaced the switch he adjusted it incorrectly not allowing the pedal to return fully and as a result the brakes stick on.

bryaner

crosshair1 wrote: »

Original lights staying on problem most likely caused by brake light switch adjustment problem, when your auto elec readjusted or replaced the switch he adjusted it incorrectly not allowing the pedal to return fully and as a result the brakes stick on.

That sounds about right, then they locked up when overheated.

sozbox

Ok that makes sense.
The only change to the pedal I noticed was that it became very sensitive, as in one slight tap and the car would stop dead.
Does that sound about right?

He has the car todayand is being grand about it so far. I just want to have my info right in case he tries to get out of it.

Thanks for all the replies, appreciate it!

mickdw

Id say crosshair is spot on. from what you are saying there, the pedal was getting higher and higher with each application resulting in sticking on.

bryaner

Jason1984 wrote: »

Ok that makes sense.
The only change to the pedal I noticed was that it became very sensitive, as in one slight tap and the car would stop dead.
Does that sound about right?

He has the car todayand is being grand about it so far. I just want to have my info right in case he tries to get out of it.

Thanks for all the replies, appreciate it!

Yea they would be more sensitive it the switch was keeping the brake pedal slightly pressed on.

sozbox

Thanks for the replies!
That seems to make the most sense.

I'll mention this when I speak with him if he hasn't cracked it.