Automotive Forums

Our 1998 Chrysler T&C van had great brakes and has gone for its tune ups & oil changes regularly.  After the hurricane last year we got lots of nails in the tires so took it to TK to get tires plugged.  One mechanic said our front brakes were worn and needed changed.  So they were changed.  A few weeks later the brakes were not working properly so we took it back and the master cylinder was replaced.  A couple weeks later the brakes were overheating and 1) the brake pedal was hard as a rock, and 2) the accelerator would not work as well.  We have to pull the van over to cool off for 30 minutes.  Then its back to normal after a 30 min cool off period.  Our mechanic thought it may be the ABS system, so he pulled the fuse.  But a week later driving around it happened again with the ABS disengaged...the brake pedal got hard, bad burning brake smell and the gas pedal would not accelerate.  My mechanic does not know what the problem is, and it would not do this for him while in he had it in his garage. Any ideas what is happening?  PS the parking brake is NOT engaged and no brake light warning (in the dash) appear when this occurs.  Thanks for anyones opinion it will be highly appreciated.  Debra & Tom  

possibly a stuck brake piston  

Replace the rubber hoses at the calipers.  

The power brake booster check valve could be stuck. It comes from the vacuum at the engine to the booster. You should be able to blow through it one way, but not the other. The booster diaphram is just behind the master cylinder.