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balzac
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2011
Posts: 79
Location: WA, USA
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 Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 9:26 am Post subject: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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I've been too sick to drive for a while, so the Transporter's just been sitting. I replaced the BMC and front calipers last year, but found a brake fluid leak in the footwell recently. It looks like it might be coming from the pressure switches, which I reused when I installed the new reservoir. After wiping everything down and letting it leak again, the fluid seems to only be on the wires from the pressure switches. It's as if it's leaking THROUGH the switches and not around the threads.
Is this a problem other people have had or am I an idiot? 
Thanks!
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1986 Transporter single cab Syncro |
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bobhill8 
Samba Member
Joined: June 09, 2017
Posts: 781
Location: MA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 9:38 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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It's a pretty common leak, often in winter. I have had it several times.
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=8376878
This is one of several threads that discuss it.
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1986 Westy
1971 Squareback |
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MarkWard
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Joined: February 09, 2005
Posts: 18659
Location: Retired South Florida
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 9:39 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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Seen it. You can replace the switches with the master installed and if you are careful, you can get away without bleeding the brakes. The cluster needs to come out though. Do one at a time. Have it ready and apply the slightest pressure to the pedal as you screw in the replacement switch.
The resevoir grommets will leak in cold weather when they get old too. Probably not the problem since your master is new.
edit: have a few rags stuffed under the master to catch the mess. |
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scotty timmerman
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Joined: January 10, 2010
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Location: gigharbor W.A
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Wildthings
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Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 52239
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 10:04 am Post subject: Re: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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| I had one of the switches on my '91 actually catch fire last year due to a leak through the switch. I bought new ATE switches and replaced the old originals on my entire fleet of aged VWs. When buying brake switches verify how many prongs yours have as Vanagons used both 2 prong and 3 prong switches. |
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Ahwahnee
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Joined: June 05, 2010
Posts: 10202
Location: Mt Lemmon, AZ
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 3:09 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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| MarkWard wrote: |
| Seen it. You can replace the switches with the master installed and if you are careful, you can get away without bleeding the brakes. The cluster needs to come out though... |
You should be able to replace them by just disconnecting the speedo cable and swinging the cluster out of the way.
I've never had to bleed after the swap, just a couple of drops come out and no air gets in. |
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balzac
Samba Member
Joined: May 11, 2011
Posts: 79
Location: WA, USA
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| Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2024 6:46 pm Post subject: Re: Brake fluid in footwell (bad pressure switches?) |
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Thanks for the confirmation! Hopefully I'll have the energy to replace the switches soon.
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1986 Transporter single cab Syncro |
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