This morning I went to pull the car out of the garage and the PSM and Brake lights came on with the noted failure statements in the display. I cleared these on the display and the lights stayed on. I turned the car off and then back on to see what happens and they came back on. Durametic shows code 4821 Brake Fluid Level. After a few minutes of checking things out and starting the car again, I received a warning in the display saying "Brake Distribution".

The brake fluid level is at the max and is perfectly clear. I'm not sure when it was last changed. My brake pad levels are less than 50% but not too worn down yet. The car seems to brake fine in the driveway but I haven't driven it anywhere since the codes/warnings popped up this morning.

I only found one other thread reporting this issue from 2004 and it seems it was related to driving on the track, and no solution was noted in that thread.

Any ideas? Since I have brakes I assume I won't suddenly have catastrophic failure, but it's not a nice feeling so I'd like to have some ideas before I head out on the road again.

Thanks.

 

Hum, that's not common. According to the wiring diagram there are only three wires going to the reservoir. Can you check the plug condition and clean the contact if possible....You have to remove the black plastic cover and you will found a plug under. I have very limited experience in this area so keep us inform of your findings.... I wonder if the level is transmitted through a float switch. Take a look in the reservoir and look if there is a float and if it is stuck to the bottom.....

 

I took the cover off and everything looks very good under there. No corrosion anywhere. The plug is very clean and it seemed to be connected well. I did disconnect and reconnect the plug.

 

Just came back from looking at my car and after gently removing the filter you will be able to see , in the center of the cup a small float. press down on it and see if it is coming back. I thing that is what is triggering the low level warning....

 

Couple of good post about the subject see post#13!!! https://www.6speedonline.com/forums/...ing-false.html and here for the brake distribution warning....http://www.renntech.org/forums/topic...th-no-fault-c/

 

I can confirm the small button in the center of the cup when you are looking inside the reservoir (of course with the filter removed) is the floating switch because when I press down on it I trigger the signal for low level warning! But no message of brake distribution....

Note: With the engine running select PSM on and off and also parking brake on and off.....

 

•

♦ Check the brake fluid level OK

⇒

Step 2

Correct the fluid
level

→

End

2 Check ground lead of the
level switch

♦

Ignition off

♦

Pull plug off brake fluid level

switch

♦

Measure resistance between terminal

2 of plug on brake fluid
level switch and ground
< 5

Ω

⇒

Step 3

Open circuit
between terminal 2
of plug on brake
fluid level switch and
ground point 3

→ End

Printed in Germany

– 4, 2001

3 Check level switch

♦ Measure resistance between terminal

1 of brake fluid level
switch socket and terminal 2 of
brake fluid level switch socket
approx. 100

Ω (at

20

°C)

⇒

Step 4

♦

< 100 Ω

Short circuit in circuit
between brake
fluid level switch terminal
1 and brake
fluid level switch terminal
2
♦
Open circuit
between brake fluid
level switch terminal
1 and brake fluid
level switch terminal
2
→

End

4 Check signal lead of the
level switch

♦

Pull off the PSM control module

plug

♦

Measure resistance between

PSM control module plug terminal
36 and brake fluid level
switch terminal 1
< 5

Ω

⇒

Step 5

Open circuit
between PSM control
module plug terminal
36 and brake
fluid level switch terminal
1

→

End

5 Check signal lead of the
level switch for short circuit
to B+

♦

Pull off plug II on the instrument

cluster

♦

Switch on ignition

♦

Measure voltage between PSM

control module plug terminal 36
and ground
< 0.3 V

⇒

Step 6

Short circuit to voltage
between PSM
control module plug
terminal 36 and
brake fluid level
switch terminal 1
and instrument cluster
plug terminal II/4

→

End

6 Check signal lead of the
level switch for short circuit
to ground

♦

Switch off ignition

♦

Measure resistance between

PSM control module plug terminal
36 and ground
> 500

Ω

⇒

Step 7

Short circuit to
ground between
PSM control module
plug terminal 36
and brake fluid level
switch terminal 1
and instrument cluster
plug terminal II/4

→

End
7 PSM control module faulty → End



Its a lot of info I know but its out the workshop manual PDF which is why its copied across like it has.
Frank

 

This is scary Frank Of course if nothing I've mention work you will have to follow the step by step dd but my point is there is a message that seems to be difficult to understand which is part of the image :Brake distribution" ????? Computer bugs?

 

isn't everything to do with these beasts a bit scary.

 

I saw the thread you mentioned earlier but didn't quite know what the float was until I saw your photo. I checked and the float seems to move freely. I reset the code with the Durametric and drove the car quite a bit today and have had no more codes. I guess if it comes back again then I may need to look more closely at the electrical. Since I'll be taking the car in soon for spark plugs and replacing the oil flow sensor I guess I'll have the mechanic take a look at the electrical connections for the brakes and see if everything is connected well and working as it should. The post by Sunnyside is a good post for this issue.