Disconnected mystery wire in 1982 C10

An update ... I had my brakes checked today at nationally known auto service center. The brake warning light had not been on for the past three days. It went off on its own -- without any intervention by me. After telling the service tech about recent events -- including the replaced wire to the combination valve -- the brakes and fluid checked out OK, with the exception a slightly leaking left-rear wheel cylinder. When I got in the truck to drive home, the brake warning light was on again and didn't go off. I wonder now if the previous owner of the truck had disconnected the combination valve wire at some point to get rid of the nuisance brake warning light. Any thoughts?

Brownie82C10 said:

An update ... I had my brakes checked today at nationally known auto service center. The brake warning light had not been on for the past three days. It went off on its own -- without any intervention by me. After telling the service tech about recent events -- including the replaced wire to the combination valve -- the brakes and fluid checked out OK, with the exception a slightly leaking left-rear wheel cylinder. When I got in the truck to drive home, the brake warning light was on again and didn't go off. I wonder now if the previous owner of the truck had disconnected the combination valve wire at some point to get rid of the nuisance brake warning light. Any thoughts?

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That's what I was saying in post 11 maybe it was disconnected because it was doing its job. The leaky wheel cylinder is the most likely cause,since no residual pressure valves anymore a leaky wheel cylinder can suck air into the system,an imbalance in hydraulic pressure trips the combination valve.

Thank you, Ricko1966. I'll have the wheel cylinder replaced. Isn't it best to replace these in pairs -- the two in the back at the same time?

Brownie82C10 said:

Thank you, Ricko1966. I'll have the wheel cylinder replaced. Isn't it best to replace these in pairs -- the two in the back at the same time?

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It's not a bad idea.

Brownie82C10 said:

Thank you, Ricko1966. I'll have the wheel cylinder replaced. Isn't it best to replace these in pairs -- the two in the back at the same time?

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I usually try to do it that way (unless its a "side of the road get it home" repair) - if the seals on one side are worn to the point of leaking, pretty good odds the other side is pretty close to wearing out as well.

I watched as the service tech checked both cylinders. The rear left was leaking just a bit. The rear right wasn't leaking. I think it's prudent to replace both at the same time.

A side note: I delivered the truck for regular service and -- most importantly -- a brake inspection, given the recent brake warning light issues. I noticed that the tech removed the tires for a rotation but never removed the rear brake pad covers for the inspection. As he was reinstalling the tires, I went to the service bay and asked him, "Did you inspect the brakes?" No, he didn't. He removed the back tires and got started with the inspection. It's difficult to trust anyone with my vehicle, but I don't have the tools, knowledge or time to do this kind of work.

Brownie82C10 said:

I watched as the service tech checked both cylinders. The rear left was leaking just a bit. The rear right wasn't leaking. I think it's prudent to replace both at the same time.

A side note: I delivered the truck for regular service and -- most importantly -- a brake inspection, given the recent brake warning light issues. I noticed that the tech removed the tires for a rotation but never removed the rear brake pad covers for the inspection. As he was reinstalling the tires, I went to the service bay and asked him, "Did you inspect the brakes?" No, he didn't. He removed the back tires and got started with the inspection. It's difficult to trust anyone with my vehicle, but I don't have the tools, knowledge or time to do this kind of work.

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Good thing you were there to ask. Hopefully they didn't charge you for work not done. Unless you redirected to have it done.

Brownie82C10 said:

I watched as the service tech checked both cylinders. The rear left was leaking just a bit. The rear right wasn't leaking. I think it's prudent to replace both at the same time.

A side note: I delivered the truck for regular service and -- most importantly -- a brake inspection, given the recent brake warning light issues. I noticed that the tech removed the tires for a rotation but never removed the rear brake pad covers for the inspection. As he was reinstalling the tires, I went to the service bay and asked him, "Did you inspect the brakes?" No, he didn't. He removed the back tires and got started with the inspection. It's difficult to trust anyone with my vehicle, but I don't have the tools, knowledge or time to do this kind of work.

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This is so tricky. Did you request a brake inspection as a seperate service. And pay for it as a seperate service. I ask because a lot of service writers don't know the difference between a brake inspection, and peeking at the pads and shoes on a rotation. Firestone for a while when I worked there was selling an upsell on an oil change. Winter car care package, It was a tire rotation, a quick peek at the pads and shoes,shake the front end down, check the lights and wipers. We started getting cars towed in for oil change and winter care care. I told our service writer we can't be taking cars in with no brakes, no starts,overheating problems as winter car care. Her reply. Why not? You're supposed to check everything. ( I can't check everything that could go wrong with a car and rotate the tires in the18 minutes that this pays)I had to explain, no we give a quick visual, thats it,if they need a true inspection of any system thats a different deal. Also told her you're going to get someone hurt, I saw the tow truck bring that car in. (The one I was working on) It has no brakes at all. If someone had jumped in that thinking regular quick oil change and rotation started and stuck it in gear someone could have got run over. Our checks went to nothing because she wasn't charging customers like she should have,and the custimers weren't getting what they thought they were going to get either. That was sure the long way of saying maybe the tech didnt know he was supposed to be doing a brake inspection.

Ricko1966 said:

This is so tricky. Did you request a brake inspection as a seperate service. And pay for it as a seperate service. I ask because a lot of service writers don't kniw tge difference between a brake inspection, and peeking at the pads and shoes on a rotation. Firestone for a while when I worked there was selling an upsell on an oil change. It was a tire rotation, a quick peek at the pads and shoes,shake the front en. down, check the lights and wipers. We started getting cars towed in for oil change and winter care care. I told our service writer we can't be taking cars in with no brakes, no starts,overheating problems as winter car care. Her replie. Why not? You're supposed to check everything. ( I can't check everything that could go wrong with a car andvrotate the tires in18 minutes that this pays)I had to explain, no we give a quick visual, thats it,if they need a true inspection of any system thats a different deal. Also told her you're going to get someone hurt, I saw the tow truck bring that car in. (The one I was working on) It has no brakes at all. If someone had jumped in that thinking regular quick oil change and rotation someone could have got run over. Our checks went to nothing because she wasn't charging customers like she should have and the custimers werent getting what they thought they were going to get either. That was sure the long way of saying maybe the tech didnt know he was supposed to be doing a brake inspection.

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Almost need to add a tag on every thing you want looked at. By looked at, the tag needs a full description of the work to be performed, there needs to be a list that matches what is taped or tied to the car, that the vehicle owner has as well as the shop manager, and the work to be performed is agreed upon. It really shouldn't be that difficult, but nowadays it may help?

DoubleDingo said:

Almost need to add a tag on every thing you want looked at. By looked at, the tag needs a full description of the work to be performed, there needs to be a list that matches what is taped or tied to the car, that the vehicle owner has as well as the shop manager, and the work to be performed is agreed upon. It really shouldn't be that difficult, but nowadays it may help?

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On a true brake inspection that was there, I measured and recorded pad,shoe and drum measurments. Recorded condition of hoses, Springs,hardware,calpers, wheel cylinders, on and on a multipoint check list that actually took time to fill out and I got paid for it,and everything was documented, same with a cooling system inspection, charging system inspection etc. The customer gets they want or need, the tech gets paid its a win win. It gets ruined when service writers don't understand the difference or throw things in freebie to make a sale. They'd tell me I threw in this to make the sale so just do it. I would refuse, if its that important to you, you pay me.