So Frustrated

[jro909]

i have a 2004 1500 4x2 with the 5.3...i'm having an issue with the DIC saying service brake booster soon..i had it checked everything was ok according to the mechanics, they had to update my computer? anyway i had the message flash again yesterday and after about 2 miles it went away by itself..what could have caused this? the break pedal seems to work ok not stiff....problem two, i checked my power steering today and it was down to the add line, i beleive it is factory fluid in it, i could not find any leaks, is there any explanation for this? and my last problem is what would you all recommend as far as brake fluid being flushed? mines a watery brown color with a weird odor, would this improve my breaking? it seems like i have to push the pedal down quite a ways to get any reaction from the brakes...thanks in advance

[txab]

Was the message "service brake booster or service brake system"? With your description, I'd be flushing the brake system soon. Unless you're constantly adding PS fluid I wouldn't be too concerned, but keep an eye on things

[gmtech4]

if it was service brake booster,there MAY be a bulletin for that message as I remember,it was a easy fix ,if they updated the controller it was at the dealer ,they should have found the bulletin I would think.

 

check close to the p/s pump shaft seal,or just top it up and like txab said ,keep an eye out .

 

these brake(not break)systems have sealed system and rarely get contaminated but if it makes you feel better ,flush it,as the front brakes wear down the pedal does go down further than normal,and you are now super sensitive to your truck and everything is makin ya crazy right ? lol

 

have your front pads looked at ,ask about a bulletin ,and have a beer !

[Nytemare]

Your power steering fluid must be checked cold or hot. it will have a C or a H on there corresponding to what temp you check it at. It does "burp" now and again, and there are small holes in the cover to allow gasses to vent out, including vaporized fluid. So if you don't check it often and top it up when needed, it may seem like you have a leak.

[jro909]

Thank you for the help, my pads are all new, and it was a gm dealer that reprogrammed my comp, i went to the dealer to get ps fluid and they gave me cold climate fluid, it dosent match whats recommended is that ok to mix with the old stuff?

[jro909]

Thank you for the help, my pads are all new, and it was a gm dealer that reprogrammed my comp, i went to the dealer to get ps fluid and they gave me cold climate fluid, it dosent match whats recommended is that ok to mix with the old stuff?

[Nytemare]

Yeah, its fine to mix.

Has the message popped up since a couple days ago??

[redvett]

The Vacuum brake booster uses no power steering assistance on a #1500 truck, there is a vacuum booster pump mounted on the booster to maintain adequate vacuum.

As for the brake fluid have it flushed and if your doing it your self you need a Tech 2 or similar data scanner to toggle the ABS module to completely flush the system.

[jro909]

I have all my work done at the dealer, il get the breaks flushed asap, should ps be flushed too? also the breaker booster has not come back since tuesday

[Nytemare]

Yeah....you don't really need to flush the PS on a regular basis...but it cant hurt from time to time. If you are really hesitant to mix the fluids...go ahead and get it flushed...It cant hurt to have clean new fluid in there.

 

The booster message could have been a latent code in the computer and now that it cleared its self it will never come back...but as gmtech4 said...there is probably a TSB for it, so if it comes back you are covered.

[jro909]

what do u mean by covered? like a warranty? because ive had to pay for every bulletin job, like the steering clunk

[Nytemare]

you should just have to pay for labor if anything. At least that's how it works where I'm form. If its a TSB you usually pay for labor....Recalls are free.

 

And I would figure if they did the ECM update and it didn't work, they would have to do it again for free the next time.

[bossier62guy]

you should just have to pay for labor if anything. At least that's how it works where I'm form. If its a TSB you usually pay for labor....Recalls are free.

 

And I would figure if they did the ECM update and it didn't work, they would have to do it again for free the next time.

 

TSB's aren't covered by GM unless you meet the specific requirements of the TSB...(ex. 03/04 IPC's under 70K miles)...if you don't meet those requirements you'll pay parts/labor...

[minibike132]

It is an update but not a PCM update. Was the cluster replaced in this vehicle? If so the cluster got the wrong calibration. I've seen it quite a few times. The cluster gets installed and they program the miles and hours but forget to program the rpo's into the cluster. The cluster doesn't know what it is installed in untill it is told.

[minibike132]

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