Brake Flush or Bleed

[Steve Caroccia]

I couldn't find much by searching and there are not as many people on these boards as in the past. I wanted to bleed my brakes on my 10 yr old 62,000 2001 Firebird with TCS. Haynes strongly suggests getting it professionally done if your vehicle has TCS because it requires a special computer module. Is this true? Can I just do a bleed the old fashion way?

[Cool81z28]

Re: Brake Flush or Bleed

Here is what Chilton's says to do. Looks like the only difference is the order of the wheels in which you bleed them. I've bled lots of cars with tcs and never knew there was a difference in how to bleed them until you posted this and I checked. I've never had a problem.

1. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir with Delco Supreme 11®, GM U.S. P/N 12377967, GM Canada P/N 992667, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container. Ensure that the brake master cylinder reservoir remains at least half-full during this bleeding procedure. Add fluid as needed to maintain the proper level. Clean the outside of the reservoir on and around the reservoir cap prior to removing the cap and diaphragm.
2. Install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT REAR wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
3. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve.
4. Submerge the open end of the transparent hose into a transparent container partially filled with Delco Supreme 11®, GM U.S. P/N 12377967, GM Canada P/N 992667, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
5. Have an assistant slowly depress the brake pedal fully and maintain steady pressure on the pedal.
6. Loosen the bleeder valve to purge air from the wheel hydraulic circuit.
7. Tighten the bleeder valve, then have the assistant slowly release the brake pedal.
8. Wait 15 seconds, then repeat steps 8-10 until all air is purged from the same wheel hydraulic circuit.
9. With the right rear wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely - after all air has been purged from the right rear hydraulic circuit - install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT REAR, without traction control, or the LEFT FRONT, with traction control, wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
10. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
11. With the left rear, without traction control, or the left front, with traction control, wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely - after all air has been purged from the left rear, without traction control, or the left front, with traction control, hydraulic circuit - install a proper box-end wrench onto the RIGHT FRONT, without traction control, or the LEFT REAR, with traction control, wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
12. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
13. With the right front, without traction control, or the left rear, with traction control, wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve tightened securely - after all air has been purged from the right front, without traction control, or the left rear, with traction control, hydraulic circuit - install a proper box-end wrench onto the LEFT FRONT, without traction control, or the RIGHT FRONT, with traction control, wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valve.
14. Install a transparent hose over the end of the bleeder valve, then repeat steps 7-11.
15. After completing the final wheel hydraulic circuit bleeding procedure, ensure that each of the 4 wheel hydraulic circuit bleeder valves are properly tightened.
16. Fill the brake master cylinder reservoir to the maximum-fill level with Delco Supreme 11®, GM U.S. P/N 12377967, GM Canada P/N 992667, or equivalent DOT-3 brake fluid from a clean, sealed brake fluid container.
17. Slowly depress and release the brake pedal. Observe the feel of the brake pedal.
18. If the brake pedal feels spongy, repeat the bleeding procedure again. If the brake pedal still feels spongy after repeating the bleeding procedure, perform the following steps:
19. Inspect the brake system for external leaks.
20. Pressure bleed the hydraulic brake system in order to purge any air that may still be trapped in the system.
21. Turn the ignition key ON, with the engine OFF. Check to see if the brake system warning lamp remains illuminated

[Steve Caroccia]

Re: Brake Flush or Bleed

Page 9-17 of the Haynes manual Warning 1: Do not attempt this procedure if your vehicle is equipped with TCS, as the brake system cannot be bled without the use of a TECH-1 or T-100 (CAMS) scan tool.

Is this correct?

[Cool81z28]

Re: Brake Flush or Bleed

I did a little more digging. This is what I found. As you can read below it says you can do a manual bleeding first and if that doesn't get you the peddle you want then you can bleed it with a scan tool. I'm getting this info from Chilton's online manuals.


Bleeding the ABS System

Perform a manual or pressure bleeding procedure. If the desired brake pedal height results are not achieved, perform the automated bleed procedure below.
The procedure cycles the system valves and runs the pump in order to purge the air from the secondary circuits normally closed off during normal base brake operation and bleeding. The automated bleed procedure is recommended when air ingestion is suspected in the secondary circuits, or when the BPMV has been replaced.

NOTE The Auto Bleed Procedure may be terminated at any time during the process by pressing the EXIT button. No further Scan Tool prompts pertaining to the Auto Bleed procedure will be given. After exiting the bleed procedure, relieve bleed pressure and disconnect bleed equipment per manufacturers instructions. Failure to properly relieve pressure may result in spilled brake fluid causing damage to components and painted surfaces.

1. Raise the vehicle on a suitable support.
2. Remove all four tire and wheel assemblies.
3. Inspect the brake system for leaks and visual damage.
4. Inspect the battery state of charge.
5. Install a scan tool.
6. Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.
7. With the scan tool, establish communications with the EBCM. Select Special Functions. Select Automated Bleed from the Special Functions menu.
8. Bleed the base brake system.
9. Follow the scan tool directions until the desired brake pedal height is achieved.
10. If the bleed procedure is aborted, a malfunction exists.
11. When the desired pedal height is achieved, press the brake pedal in order to inspect for firmness.
12. Remove the scan tool.
13. Install the tire and wheel assemblies.
14. Inspect the brake fluid level.
15. Road test the vehicle while inspecting that the pedal remains high and firm.

[Steve Caroccia]

Re: Brake Flush or Bleed

thanks a bunch!