Brake fluid contamination / ABS failure

Steps

1. Secure the vehicle Park on a level surface, engage the parking brake, place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels, raise the front of the car with a floor jack and support it on jack stands.
2. Remove front wheels Loosen the front lug nuts, lift the wheels off, and set them aside.
3. Inspect for external leaks Check brake lines, caliper pistons, and the ABS pump housing for any signs of fluid leakage. Note any damaged hoses or seals for replacement.
4. Drain the brake fluid reservoir Open the hood, locate the brake fluid reservoir, remove the cap, and use a clean container to siphon out as much old fluid as possible.
5. Flush the brake system Attach the bleeder kit to the first caliper (usually the passenger‑side front). Have an assistant pump the brake pedal slowly while you open the bleeder valve to allow old fluid to flow out, then close the valve. Repeat until the fluid in the clear tube runs clear and is the correct DOT 3 type. Move to the driver‑side front, then rear left, then rear right, using fresh fluid for each cycle.
6. Replace contaminated ABS hydraulic unit (if needed) If fluid contamination is severe or the ABS pump shows internal leakage, disconnect the ABS hydraulic unit electrical connector and brake lines, remove mounting bolts, and install the new unit. Re‑attach lines with a line wrench, torque mounting bolts to the specification in the service manual, and reconnect the electrical plug.
7. Refill the reservoir Fill the brake fluid reservoir with fresh DOT 3 fluid to the “MAX” line. Replace the cap with a new seal if the old one shows wear.
8. Bleed each wheel completely Starting with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder (rear passenger side), have an assistant press the brake pedal and hold it down while you open the bleeder valve. Close the valve before the pedal is released. Continue until no bubbles appear and fluid is clear. Repeat for each wheel, topping off the reservoir as needed to prevent air ingress.
9. Reinstall wheels and torque lug nuts Place the wheels back, hand‑tighten the lug nuts, lower the vehicle, and torque the lug nuts to the specification in the vehicle’s service manual (typically around 100 Nm for the Vezel).
10. Reset ABS fault codes Reconnect the battery if it was disconnected, then use an OBD‑II scan tool with ABS capability to clear any stored ABS codes and verify that the ABS system self‑tests correctly.
11. Final brake test With the vehicle still stationary, pump the brake pedal several times; it should feel firm. Perform a low‑speed test drive, applying the brakes firmly to confirm proper stopping distance and that the ABS warning light remains off.

Parts

• Brake fluid — DOT 3, hygroscopic, meets JIS K 5400 / ISO 4925 ×1 L (or as required to fully flush system)
• ABS hydraulic unit (if contaminated) — OEM ABS hydraulic pump/module for 2014 Honda Vezel GD1 ×1
• Brake fluid reservoir cap seal — OEM rubber seal for brake fluid reservoir ×1

Tools

• Floor jack
• Jack stands
• Wheel chocks
• Open‑end and socket wrenches (including 10 mm and 12 mm)
• Torque wrench
• Brake bleeder kit or clear tubing with catch container
• Line wrench (for brake line fittings)
• Flat‑head screwdriver
• Pliers
• Safety glasses
• Latex or nitrile gloves
• OBD‑II scan tool with ABS reset capability (optional but recommended)

Sources

• facebook.com
• hondanews.com
• motorsift.co.nz
• roadrunner.travel
• motoress.com