All 4 disc brakes are nearly locked up

[edouble101 314]

Vehicle: 2008 Hyundai Elantra, 4 wheel disc brakes, ABS equipped.

I was on my way home today and I was experiencing a drastic reduction in power. As I was pulling into a gas station to investigate my brake pedal was almost completely firm. I stopped the vehicle and smoke starting rising from all four wheels. I am currently waiting for a tow truck to home

I replaced all four rotors and pads 3 weeks ago. I didnt do anything with the brake lines or fluid.

Any idea why my brakes will lock up like this?

[S.DeYoung 968]

We have had problems with this at work with our work vans. The ABS sensors go bad and have to be replaced.

[jonbearsmt 919]

a few problems come to my head off top.

1 abs pump/ system failure. pull the relay/ fuse, to diable and try again,.

2 if something is slightly depressing the break pedle after a while it will build up pressure and apply the breaks..... i have seen this before, quick story,

a friends break light switch trigger rest point ( plastic disk) broke, so he placed a penny and taped it into place, made the tail lights work.. but the next day on the way to work (5 miles) his car started to lose power, then pretty much stopped in place, same deal, smoke from all wheels..

hope you get it fixed.

[Sencheezy 689]

Hope its nothing major, and as others have suggested, I would try investigating those common issues first.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

Does the pedal move at all?

[edouble101 314]

Thanks for the replies fellas.

After I was towed home I glanced over a few things. The brake rotors are a shiny blue now. There wasn’t anything else obvious to the eye other than one thing that I knew about. The driver's side rear caliper is not working. I knew about this now for three weeks now. I know I need to fix it but I do not think this is the problem.

After coming home I took the car out for at 17 mile spin. There are no signs of brake issues whatsoever! This has me puzzled. The brake pedal has good feel, the brakes feel normal and no overheating.

When the brakes overheated I was going up a 1.5 mile hill, very steep actually. I was on the phone with a guy from Ohio Generator discussing retro fitting my car with a Ford large case alt. I wonder if I somehow had my foot on the brake and gas at the same time at some point. I do not think I did though. I was in fourth gear and had to downshift into third then had to downshift into second at 5,000 RPM just to make it up the hill.

Any more ideas? Does this sound like an intermittent problem?

[pimpdaddy1787 1]

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Hyundai have a recall for there stop lamp switch being defective and causing a bunch of problems?

[edouble101 314]

If I'm not mistaken, didn't Hyundai have a recall for there stop lamp switch being defective and causing a bunch of problems?

I have not recieved a notice but I will look into it.

I followed the Haynes manual to troubleshoot the brake booster. Eveything seems fine.

[pimpdaddy1787 1]

Try this,

With the engine OFF, depress the brake pedal several times to deplete the vacuum reserve.

Depress and maintain moderate foot pressure on the brake pedal.

Start the engine and observe pedal operation.

Observe for audible vacuum leaks.The brake pedal should fall slightly, then hold.

Is there an audible vacuum leak coming from the brake pedal area?

does the pedal fall slightly, then hold?

If either was no, your booster is bad. Also remove master cylinder without undoing lines, and look for brake fluid, if u see some, master cylinder and booster have to be replaced.

This is the service procedure for checking a vacuum booster, also suppose to be checked and done on a md state inspection

[edouble101 314]

Try this,

With the engine OFF, depress the brake pedal several times to deplete the vacuum reserve.

Depress and maintain moderate foot pressure on the brake pedal.

Start the engine and observe pedal operation.

Observe for audible vacuum leaks.The brake pedal should fall slightly, then hold.

Is there an audible vacuum leak coming from the brake pedal area?

does the pedal fall slightly, then hold?

If either was no, your booster is bad. Also remove master cylinder without undoing lines, and look for brake fluid, if u see some, master cylinder and booster have to be replaced.

This is the service procedure for checking a vacuum booster, also suppose to be checked and done on a md state inspection

That was the inspection routine in the Hyanes manual as well, it passed.

I am thinking it could be the check valve in the vacuum line going to the booster?

[ricksi30 923]

Damn man that sucks, I really hope you get it figured out. I don't mess with my brakes as I've known a few people that have had failure after having them done by certified mechanics. Keep us updated.

[Tirefryr 1,742]

I'm surprised that car has a booster. Should have hydroboost.