How to trouble shoot the brake system? - 2000 Chevrolet Venture

This is a problem with the brake sensor lockout. Most likely it is out of place or broken and shorting. It is on the brake pedal lever.

most likely the master cylinder is by passing and the only thing grabbing is the rear brakes. try pumping the pedal to see if it gets firm for a moment . if so then replace the master cylinder. if not then look for a leak in the brake system.

SOUND LIKE PROBLEM IN THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM AND TRAC SYSTEM.TAKE VECHICLE TO DEALERSHIP.THEY HAVE TO USE A TECH SCANNER TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND FIX PROBLEM.

P0741 Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance or Stuck Off

Your car actually has a viscous converter clutch inside the torque converter instead of a (mechanical) torque converter clutch to lock up the torque converter for fuel economy improvement. You will see it referred to as the VCC and/or TCC.....

The TCC/VCC has a variety of components in the system including an electrical circuit supplying the transmission, the apply solenoid inside the trans, the torque converter itself, the PCM that controls the apply, etc. It is impossible to diagnose from afar. Unlikely that it is a "sensor" inside the trans as the PCM controls the VCC apply and uses engine and trans data that it receives from a variety of sources. If a "sensor" had failed the trouble code for that sensor would be setting......

Something as simple as the brake switch can cause the VCC to not apply correctly. There is a safety switch on the brake pedal that activates the brake lights and disconnects the VCC circuit. If it is misadjusted then the trans cannot apply the VCC. Lots of other trouble shooting items on the VCC system. If you don't have a service manual and cannot trouble shoot the system, I would recommend a Cadillac dealer as they have the trouble shooting information for the specific VCC that the Cadillac 4T80E trans has that a trans shop is simply not familiar with. No sense working on the trans until you actually know what is wrong.

That light usually has two functions: (1) Parking brake is set and (2) hydraulic brakes system failure. I would assume that you have had a failure in the regular brake system, and trouble shoot that. Check fluid level, then make sure all 4 wheels are applying the brakes. Most systems have a split, so you could get a failure of say the front brakes and still have rear, or vice versa, so you might not realize at first that you have a failure, just a longer stopping distance.

Other option is a failure (short) of the switch or wiring harness that is activated by the setting of the parking brake.

HAVE DEALERSHIP SCAN IT THEY HAVE SPECIAL SCANNER FOR TROUBLE SHOOTING ABS BRAKES SYSTEM.AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT.THIS NOT HOME FIX.

SOUND LIKE AIR IN BRAKE LINES.CHECK BRAKE FLUID LEVEL MAKE SURE ITS NOT LOW. CHECK ALL BRAKE HOSES AND BRAKE LINES. FOR LEAKS. YOU HAVE TO BLEED BRAKES.IF ALL IS GOOD.YOU HAVE MASTER CYLINDER AND ABS BRAKE FAILURE.HAVE DEALERSHIP FIX IT.THEY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO TROUBLE SHOOT AND BLEED THE BRAKE SYSTEM.

the system has self test capabilities and can store a trouble code, have it tested the code will tell u what sensor circuit the fault exists in.

soft(low) brake pedal has 5 possible cause
1 air in system
2master cylinder bypass
3fluid leak
4rear brake shoes out of adjusmet(too far from drum)
5spongy brake pads
if there is no leak and the fluid is at level I would adjust rear brakes and bleed system.If that did not work replace master cylinder.

Adjust your rear brake shoes. Then rebleed the system. Start at the master cylinder Bleed master first then the wheel furthest away from the master (right rear then left rear then right front then left front. Do that and your pedal should be good.