I have a 2000 Chevy Silverado 1500 with 228444 miles on it. I was at Walmart getting ready to park my truck and the brakes wouldn't work. When this happened the ABS light went out for a moment (it's usually on). I had to shut down my truck and shift to park (while still moving at 10 mph) to stop the truck. Started the truck back up and the brakes started working again. Anyone have any idea why this happened?
Did you already scan for any stored codes?
Unfortunately, the OBD2 software I have on my laptop can only read the ECM and not the ABS module. If you're talking ECM, the only codes I have are random/multiple cylinder misfire and catalyst pressure too low.
If it helps when it happened the brake pedal couldn't move down at all and there was nothing obstructing it either. Almost felt like I completely lost vacuum pressure in the brake booster.
Using the transmission to stop a heavy truck will damage it. Use the park brake instead.
It could be a lot of things. Broken master cylinder, burst brake line... take it to a mechanic immediately, and don't ignore the ABS light next time.
Unfortunately the parking brake us broken to I didn't have much of a choice. I understand that do what I did is the worst idea ever.. Thanks for the help.
Can also check if you got debris blocking passage since it felt like you had no brakes and then all of a sudden had brakes. When's the last time a fluid change was done? Could be too much grime in the system. I tend to go with the simpler things to check before I immediately go to the expensive things unless I absolutely know for sure ya know. As others have recommended though, if you don't know how to check yoself take it to a mechanic asap. No brakes is no good lol. Safety 3rd right?
