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Below is a collection of Jim Grant's Tech Tips sorted by Vehicle Make. These Tech Tips were answers to questions submitted to Jim by ALLDATAdiy.com users over the course of many years.
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  Jim Grant's Tech Tips

'97 Mercury Sable GS Wagon, Fade Away Brakes

Q: I have brake problems with my '97 Mercury Sable GS Wagon, 3.0, V6, FWD. I bought it from a used car dealer a few months ago. Now the brake pedal goes to the floor intermittently. The master cylinder fluid level has never gone down. There are no signs of leaks. The vehicle has not been modified. Could it be the proportioning valve?

- Keith F.

A: It is very unlikely that the proportioning valve is the problem. The proportioning valve doesn't do much under normal braking conditions. It is when you step on the brakes quickly that the valve slows the flow and pressure to the rear brakes. This is done to reduce rear wheel lock-up under panic braking conditions. A brake pedal that randomly fades away with no brake fluid loss, I would be inclined to suspect a failing brake master cylinder.

 
     
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