Help on Few issues plz

[CabbE30]

1st: Since the rain started, puddles are now building up by the curbs when I park & on the street. When I drive through these my Dash lights dim, the radio shuts down, and the ABS light pops up. I drive a little more (1-3 seconds) and things fix up by themselves. Im assuming this would be the abs speed sensor shorting bc of the water? Right/Wrong? It seems to happen when I drive through puddles or park by the curb where water can collect (therefore probs the passenger side, thinking front.) Also the ABS doesnt kick in obviously because most of the time im not on the brakes/ crawling speed.

2nd: My e-brake is weak, and when I park on hills, the times when it does grab it seems to dip and only grab in the driver side rear. Has no prob holding on level ground obviously but id like to be able to park on an incline/decline w/o worrying about it. Do I replace e-brake pads/springs? Or do I just tighten the cables on the ebrake lever?

3rd: Should I ask Santa for IE stainless steel brake lines? Meaning will i notice the difference? My uncle, i mean Santa, wants to get me something for xmas and I thought that would be a nice gift if they're worth it.

Thanks a bunch gentlemen. Yes I Know, Search! But I thought posting all my issues here in one thread would make it easier for quick answers.

[dkbmxer002]

i would also check to see if your alternator belt is loose and check to make sure your battery isn't dying.

try tightening the cables and if no luck you likely need new shoes. mine does the same thing fyi and my shoes have a decent amount of life but they are likely the originals and have cracking etc.

imo they are never a bad purchase regardless so yes!

[CabbE30]

I just got a new bettary about 3 months ago but its kinda iffy, the older one was better so ill probs throw that one back in and get a replacement for the new one with the warranty. Ill also check the alternator just in case but im pretty sure its fine since it charges my batteries. It only happens when I go through puddles, raining, etc. & even then its not that often that it happens, Just yesterday night it was giving me trouble.

Ill look into that too.

And thanks for answering all my questions! :D

[dkbmxer002]

just trying to help, may not be the answer for your problem but are issues i have dealt with in the past.


also with the brake shoes for the e-brake, if you do a search there is a thread somewhere on here where someone explained how to adjust the shoes from the assembly and not just the cables which could also be a problem. i didn't even bother doing it with mine since mine are so old i am just going to replace them.

[jlevie]

Problem (1) sounds like it might be a improperly tensioned or worn alternator belt that slips when it gets wet.

Problem (2) sounds like misadjusted parking brakes. Adjust them with:

1) Lower the hand brake and loosen the cable adjusters.

2) Working through a lug bolt hole turn the star adjuster until the wheel
locks using a flat-bladded screwdriver. I just turn the adjuster until it
doesn't want to turn any more. Then back off the adjuster 12 clicks. Repeat
for the other wheel. Note that the star adjuster is at the 6 o'clock position
on later cars, but at the 10 o'clock position on an E30.

3) Raise and lower the hand brake several times to settle the cables. Then
raise the lever two clicks and tighten the adjusters until the wheel can just
be turned with moderate force.

SS lines aren't going to improve braking performance over OE lines in good condition

[CabbE30]

^ alright thanks a bunch! That will definitely help me out!