Master Cylinder Fire

[gill2001]

9I was called upon by some parking attendents that saw smoke coming from under the hood. By time I got to my 94 atx sho there was no smoke. It smelt like burn cables so I look under the hood a located the cable. This cable melted off from underneith the Master cyclinder. Now my brake pedal hits the floor with little result in stopping. Please SHO gods help me in finding out What caused this and how much its goning to cost.
Please help I need my SHO.

Servant

 

[gill2001]

I meant my 93 ATX SHO.
Sorry very headbang

 

[91 Plus]

Blue on the forum had the same problem!There was even a flame from under the hood when we opened it! Insurance covered it and fixed all the damage.

 

[rangerj]

Servant,

First, fix or get fixed the electrical problem ASAP.

Then the master cylinder needs to be replaced. This should also be done ASAP. The car should not, repeat NOT, be driven until these repairs are done.

The seals on the piston in the master cylinder are rubber (actually a rubber compound like neopreme)and have most likely melted in the heat. Their condition is not allowing them to seal and hold pressure, which is why your peddel has very little affect on the brakes.

If you have fire insurance it should be covered. Check with you insurance company to see if the deductible applies, it may or may not depending on your contract. rangerj

 

[uofccatz]

I had this fire in my car too. The switch on the bottow of the master cylinder that is used to turn off the cruise control when you hit the brake had the seal go out in it filling up the switch and starting a fire. If you dont need cruise control like i dont i just disconnected the plug and filled the switch that attaches to the master cylinder with solder. Brakes work fine now and no leak.

 

[rangerj]

uofccatz makes a good point. If the origin of the fire is a brake fluid leak that caused a short you may be able to fix both problems by replacing the switch.

I would try replacing the switch, bench bleed the master cylinder, and see if it will hold pressure. If all you had was smoke and no actual fire the master cylinder may be OK. rangerj