After several attempts at vacuum bleeding and standard bleeding. Unable to get a good pedal. While vacuum bleeding, the fluid never did seem to get all of the air out of the line. Almost like something is introducing fluid into the system. I have heard there are issues with the ABS distribution blocks on these vans causing a similar issue. But before replacing the Master Cylinder or the ABS block, I thought I would check here to see if any one has heard of any problems common to this.

 

I have a '96 with ABS and never had a problem bleeding the brakes, I pump the pedal down eight or ten times and then start at right rear, then left rear, right front and left front. I have a partener tow hold brake pedal pressure while I open the bleed port and that does it.

 

That's great you never had a problem but this guy obviously needs help. First, why did you need to bleed the brakes?

 

I bled them because I had a soft pedal (little resistance when braking and not a lot of stopping power). If the air is not coming out or the bleed process needs to be constantly repeated I would look for a leaking wheel cylinder, obviously the sytem is sucking air from some outside source.

 

the car was towed to my garage with serp belt off and no brake pedal what so ever. I popped the hood and found the master cylinder cap had a plastic bag under it. the rubber expansion piece in the cap was missing, and the cap was basically just laying there. after replacing pads, shoes, turning the rotors and drums, i noticed wheel cylinder leaking. replaced the wheel cylinders and could not get any fluid out of the left rear under normal bleeding procedures. so in started the vacuum bleeding. after about 5 mins of vacuum, fluid finally started coming out.
I spoke with a Chrysler mechanic, and he advised that sometimes the ABS controller will not allow fluid to transfer correctly, and to do a few panic stops (45mph hard stops to kick in ABS) and then try bleeding the brakes again. worked like a champ, but still have a low hard pedal. I am hoping that the rear brakes just need to be adjusted.

 

if yall gots a firm but low pedel then adj rear shoes

 

no luck.. adjusted the rear brakes up.. pedal was not affected. going to go out for a test drive, and try letting the van adjust the brakes. (Backing up) I am starting to think master cylinder, but was hoping to not have to change it.

 

backing up really won't adjust the brakes if they are way out of whack. Get some brake pressure gauges and see what you have for pressure at each wheel. With a quality scanner, you can get into the ABS computer and cycle the ABS pump

 

Read this article.. thank you Rick. I will probably just take it to the dealer to have them try bleeding the brakes. Sounds like the problem I am having. thanks all who responded.

http://www.ricksfreeautorepairadvice...-an-abs-system