Brake failure indicator

Maintenance advice to keep your Spider in shape.
Post Reply
User avatar
aj81spider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 1526
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chelmsford, MA

Brake failure indicator

Post by aj81spider »

Took my 1974 for its inaugural ride today (3 year restoration). One issue was that the brake failure indicator stayed on. It is definitely being caused by the block that monitors the balance between the circuits, as when I disconnect it the light goes off. I replaced the master cylinder during the restoration. The brakes seem to work well, both reservoirs are full and I didn't see any leaks.

I seem to remember reading about the blocks having an issue with getting out of balance and giving false readings, but despite much searching can't seem to find the posts.

Any insights on what this could be or how to address?
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
User avatar
JerryH
Posts: 121
Joined: Sat Jun 05, 2010 11:00 pm
Your car is a: 1976 124
Location: Erie, Colorado

Re: Brake failure indicator

Post by JerryH »

My balance block was leaking, so I eliminated it and went with a late model reservoir with a float in the cap. Had install a new front left brake line, but it wasn't a tough project. See my thread:
http://www.fiatspider.com/f08/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=17595
1976 Fiat 124
1972 Fiat 124
User avatar
aj81spider
Patron 2020
Patron 2020
Posts: 1526
Joined: Fri Mar 11, 2011 9:04 am
Your car is a: 1974 Fiat 124 Spider
Location: Chelmsford, MA

Re: Brake failure indicator

Post by aj81spider »

Thanks - I saw that thread. I may end up going that way but I thought I remembered a simple fix to rebalance the block. Perhaps I'm just imagining, as searching didn't yield the post I remembered ( imagined?).
A.J.

1974 Fiat 124 Spider
2006 Corvette
1981 Spider 2000 (sold 2013 - never should have sold that car)
Post Reply