What is this? Brake part 2000 Itasca Suncruiser 35U

[Woody513]

Can anyone tell me what this sensor is called and where I can find a replacement?

2000 Ithaca Suncruiser 35u on Ford chassis.

 

[HiBanky]

Looks like a low fluid sensor on a master brake cylinder reservoir to me. Since it's on a Ford chassis just go to a part store like Napa. You may also want to make sure that your fluid level is topped off.

 

[Woody513]

Looks like a low fluid sensor on a master brake cylinder reservoir to me. Since it's on a Ford chassis just go to a part store like Napa. You may also want to make sure that your fluid level is topped off.

Thank you! found out its called the brake distribution sensor.

 

[Morich]

Search on Google says it is "Chinese lantern plant"!
AI may need a bit more work?
Oh, well!
At least it is not driving the car!!!!

 

[Woody513]

Search on Google says it is "Chinese lantern plant"!
AI may need a bit more work?
Oh, well!
At least it is not driving the car!!!!

Ha! AI is still a work in progress!

 

[imogenkye]

I have a 1987 chevy chassis 454, and am having brake issues, my hydraulic brakes do not engage. I have refilled the pump reservoir with transmission fluid but when I press on the peddle it has no pressure and makes a thumping sound and a kickback in the peddle. Is there a sensor like this on my rig that could be part of the problem?

 

[Morich]

Hum? Not sure the name is correct as being "brake distribution sensor" !
A search for that names says it works to sense the speed of each wheel? Not sure but what this item senses when fluid is low on font versus rear as each has a separate section in the master cylinder.

Using AI again, I get what I feel is the correct name!

I think this tells us when fluid is leaking in the front or rear section of the brakes and puts the warning light on the dash!

But the bigger question may be about the tranny fluid in brakes!

 

[HiBanky]

First of all, I am assuming we're talking about a Chevy pickup truck. More importantly the transmission fluid has compromised all the seals in the brake system. I suppose it goes without saying but do not drive it. Flushing your brake system with DOT 3 brake fluid may salvage the rubber seals but to be safe it's best to rebuild the master cylinder and all the wheel cylinders if not replace them all. Without a hands on investigation, it's difficult to diagnose the original problem. The good news is these old trucks have very simple brake systems and have no sensors of anti-lock systems. An easy job for an experienced mechanic.

Note: Transmission fluid can be used in an extreme situation like being stranded in the desert but certainly not safe on public roadways.

 

[imogenkye]

Hum? Not sure the name is correct as being "brake distribution sensor" !
A search for that names says it works to sense the speed of each wheel? Not sure but what this item senses when fluid is low on font versus rear as each has a separate section in the master cylinder.

Using AI again, I get what I feel is the correct name!
View attachment 1947964
I think this tells us when fluid is leaking in the front or rear section of the brakes and puts the warning light on the dash!

But the bigger question may be about the tranny fluid in brakes!
View attachment 1947965

Thank you, the brake light is on, so now I gotta figure out where this pressure differential switch is. There is one switch that is auto up and manual down, and my late husband said to always keep it in manual. But that is for the airbags as far as I know, idk about the pressure differential switch. There are two others i haven't touched, maybe those are it. There are a few on the left side of the dash by the steering wheel. The original owner was a racing team owner so he kept all manuals and records so I have notes of what fluids etc have been used. The reservoir had red fluid and there was a bottle of it in the rv from them, so I knew it was the correct fluid. And in this rig, the hydraulic pump and the transmission pump are the same thing together. idk why. Thank you for the info though.

 

[Morich]

Some basic thoughts on the light and what turns it on may help. That t big item where you put the brake fluid in, has two sections next to each other and there are two different tubes to take the brake fluid down to the brakes at the wheels.
The two sections are separated, one for front brakes and the other for rear brakes. At one time, it was only one fluid tank and it fed ALL four wheels, The problem was that if we got a leak anywhere in the system ALL the brakes went out and it had not fluid sensor ro anything to tell us when we were losing fluid. If we didn't notice the inside of the wheel getting wet with fluid, we didn't know we were about to lose ALL our brakes. Until it happened!
So they now use two fluid supplies and if we get a leak in front or rear, there is a switch that sets between front and rear tanks. I think that is what I see in the picture.
When more fluid goes out of one or the other, there is a part of the switch that moves to turn on the light on the dash! I don't know what it looks like inside but maybe something like a ball that moves forward or back to make a contact that turns on the light?
The idea is that when the light turns on, it is telling us that the fluid levels are not what they should be and that means we have lost fluid somewhere.
But we can't just refill the tank as we also have to do something to reset the switch!