Brake pedal — check and adjustment
Warning: These models are equipped with a Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), more commonly known as airbags. Always disable the airbag system before working in the vicinity of any airbag system component to avoid the possibility of accidental deployment of the airbag(s), which could cause personal injury (see Chassis electrical system).
Warning: Do not use a memory saving device to preserve the PCM or radio memory when working on or near airbag system components.
Pedal height
1. Measure the pedal height (see illustration) and compare your measurement to the pedal height listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. If the pedal height is incorrect, adjust it as follows:
i. 1 Brake pedal height is the distance between the pedal and the firewall when the pedal is released
2. Remove the knee bolster/airbag module (see Dashboard trim panels and cover).
3. Unplug the electrical connector from the brake light switch.
4. Remove the brake light switch (see Brake light switch — check and replacement).
5. Loosen the pushrod locknut.
6. Adjust the pedal height by turning the pedal pushrod.
7. Tighten the pushrod locknut.
8. Install the brake light switch until the switch body just touches the brake pedal, then turn the switch clockwise 1/4 turn to lock it in place.
9. Measure the distance between the switch body and the pedal and compare your measurement to the clearance listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. If the clearance is not as specified, repeat the adjustment and try again.
10. Plug in the brake light switch electrical connector.
11. Verify that brake lights come on when the brake pedal is depressed, and go off when the brake pedal is released.
12. Check the pedal free play.
Pedal free play
13. Stop the engine, if it’s running, and depress the brake pedal several times until there’s no more vacuum left in the booster.
14. Push in the pedal until you feel some resistance, then measure the distance between the release pedal and this point at which you can feel resistance (see illustration). Compare your measurement with the pedal free play listed in this Chapter’s Specifications. If the pedal free play is incorrect, check the clearance between the switch body and the pedal. If the clearance is correct, the clearance between the brake booster pushrod and the master cylinder piston might be incorrect (see Power brake booster — check, removal and installation)
i. 14 Brake pedal free play is the distance between the pedal when it’s released and the point at which some resistance is first felt when the pedal is depressed
Pedal reserve distance
15. Start the engine, depress the brake pedal a few times, then press down hard and hold it.
16. Pedal reserve travel is measured from the floor to the top of the pedal while it’s being depressed. Compare your measurement to the pedal reserve distance listed in this Chapter’s Specifications.
17. If the pedal reserve is less than specified, check the adjustment of the power brake booster pushrod-to-master cylinder piston clearance (see Power brake booster — check, removal and installation). If the brake pedal feels spongy, bleed the brake system (see Brake hydraulic system — bleeding).