ChrisJeep

Just bought a 2004 Grand Cherokee 8 months ago - and the ABS light now blinks occasionally & at the same time I feel a slighly spongy brake pedal. The Goodyear Auto Repair shop just told me the brakes look new all around. What should I do now? Do you think the used car lot who sold it to me didn't bleed the brake lines enough? Where can I get that done and what should it cost? How can I test the master cylinder, the power brake booster, or test for other leaks? The brake fluid level looks good... So any advice would be great.

Jeremy Watson

ABS pump or controller could be going out or could have a bad electrical connection. A sticking valve in the ABS system will make the brakes super soft whenever it's stuck open. Remember that the whole job of the ABS system is to release pressure on the brakes if it thinks they are locking up. So, spongy brakes after ABS light comes on makes some sense.

I've seen a Ford do something similar. Hit a bump turning a corner, ABS gets confused and opens the valve, but ABS hasn't activated in a long time and valve sticks open. With a valve open, all the brake pressure just circulates around in the pump and brakes get real soft. Sometimes it fixed itself, sometimes not. But brakes are too important. Get that ABS system tested by a reliable brake shop.