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Safrane Spongy Brake Pedal

I'm experiencing some strange brake feedback with my 2000 Renault Safrane (gasoline engine). It's got 162802 km on the clock. Lately, the brake pedal feels odd, almost spongy, and the braking power isn't consistent. I've checked the brake fluid level, and it seems fine. Could this be related to the car's electrical system? I've read undervoltage can mess with the hydraulic brake system or even the brake calipers.

The initial problem described is a spongy brake pedal and inconsistent braking power in a 2000 Renault Safrane. The user suspects a connection to the car's electrical system, possibly due to undervoltage affecting the hydraulic brake system or calipers. A suggestion is made to inspect the brake rotors and consider potential electrical issues. Ultimately, a workshop visit confirms that the problem was related to undervoltage affecting the brake calipers, leading to uneven wear, which was resolved with a repair.

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4 comment(s)

Spongy brakes on a Safrane... hmm. That does sound concerning. Undervoltage affecting hydraulic brakes is a plausible theory, especially with older cars. Have you noticed any other electrical gremlins recently? Are your brake rotors in good condition, or are they possibly warped? It would be good to rule out obvious mechanical problems before chasing electrical ones.

No other electrical problems that I've noticed. The rotors seem okay visually, no obvious signs of damage. How could I properly test for undervoltage affecting the braking system though? I don’t have advanced equipment at hand.

If you lack professional equipment, precisely diagnosing the undervoltage effect is tricky. Given the symptoms, year, and mileage, it’s advisable to have a workshop inspect your calipers and disc brakes. They'll be able to check the entire system, including the ABS, which could also contribute to the weird pedal feel.

Thanks for the advice! I took it to a workshop, and it turned out you were right to point at the calipers. They ran a full system check. The issue was indeed related to undervoltage affecting the brake calipers, leading to uneven wear. The whole repair including parts and labour cost me 240€.

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RENAULT

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SAFRANE