Brakes on a KA

[jjb1333]

Hi
I have a Ford KA quite an old one T Reg
The Brake warning light has come on on the dash and the brake pedal goes almost to the floor before the brakes come on .
Ive tried pumping the brakes but to no avail
Brake fluid resevoir is full
Any ideas ?

 

[xr4x4]

Sounds like the seals in the master cylinder.

Have you had any brake work done recently, or has the fault come on slowly?

The brake warning light is a bit of a head scratcher...

Does the pedal go firm and stay firm when the pedal goes down, or continue to sink?

 

[Burnerman]

The brake lamp has three circuits 1) Front pad wear indicator 2) Handbrake lever 3) Master cylinder fluid level - each of which could be playing a part here.
As xr says - if you can get some sort of pedal pressure, if the pedal continues to sink its a master cylinder problem.
The front disc brakes are self adjusting, and the rear drums should be - but they sometimes don't and the distance the shoe has to travel can make the pedal sink a long way.....however, pumping the pedal does work if its done quick enough.
John

 

[jjb1333]

I had new pads and discs fitted about 2 months ago
But the fault appeared all of a sudden whilst driving along.

 

[jjb1333]

the pedal goes to the floor and then if i press hard for the last inch the brakes are applied.

 

[Burnerman]

I reckon the rear drums need to come off, to see whats going on there.....and I wouldn't be surprised to see a brake shoe where the friction material has broken away.
John

 

[xr4x4]

the pedal goes to the floor and then if i press hard for the last inch the brakes are applied.

If the pedal doesn't continue to fall to the floor, as been said its most likey to be rear drums.