Jump to content
Ultimate Subaru Message Board

Loyale brake pedal travel, failed inspection


Recommended Posts

My 94 loyale failed state inspection due to a few issues. The minor ones have been fixed but the ones I can't figure out are the following.

 

Brake light is on when you start the car every time until you rev past 2000 then it goes off and won't come back on until you restart Actually all warning lights are on when started but the brake light is the one failing me.  MC is full of fluid. If the inspector doesn't rev it then he just sees the light and doesn't know why. Is this a normal behavior or is something else going on electrically?

 

The bigger concern is the brake pedal travel. He said he puts his foot under the brake pedal and if the pedal touches his foot then it's too far to the floor. The brakes feel good, not spongy and it seems to stop fine. I bled the brakes and checked the rear cylinders and the auto adjusters seem to be functioning properly with no binding. At rest the pedal sits at 6.25" and fully compressed it's about 3.5". Is this considered low or is my inspectors boot just too big?

 

I've considered going elsewhere to get it inspected where I know they'll pass it regardless but I also want my vehicle to be safe. 

Edited by CaptainDub
Link to comment
Share on other sites

It is not normal for the brake light to be on. The only time I have seen it on is when the fluid is low. It should be on or off. Only light while cranking for lamp check.

 

How many miles are on the alternator? If it is original, a brush fails at about 150k miles like clockwork. The alternator light doesn't always show this, but it messes with the other lights also.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

No idea how old the alternator is. The car has 135k but the engine is said to have 185ish. This might also explain the erratic fluttering of the voltmeter and the meter doesn't hop up past 12 until I rev it past 2k. I have a spare alternator, I'll try that out and see if it goes away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't have it handy, but there should be a section on the Haynes or FSM on setting the brake pedal height.   Adjust it, maybe bring it up  a bit just to keep the inspector happy, and retry.

 

Take the manual with you during the test.  If he still fails it, show him that it meets specs.   Measuring travel with the toe of his shoe might be a quick and dirty way to test for a possible problem, but it doesn't beat a ruler and actual factory specifications.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

×
×
  • Create New...