Chrysler Concorde 2004 Service Manual page 1501

LH
FLUID
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING - BRAKE FLUID
CONTAMINATION
Indications of fluid contamination are swollen or
deteriorated rubber parts.
Swollen rubber parts indicate the presence of
petroleum in the brake fluid.
To test for contamination, put a small amount of
drained brake fluid in clear glass jar. If fluid sepa-
rates into layers, there is mineral oil or other fluid
contamination of the brake fluid.
If brake fluid is contaminated, drain and thor-
oughly flush system. Replace master cylinder, propor-
tioning valve, caliper seals, wheel cylinder seals,
Antilock Brakes hydraulic unit and all hydraulic
fluid hoses.
STANDARD PROCEDURE - BRAKE FLUID
LEVEL CHECK
Check master cylinder reservoir brake fluid level a
minimum of twice a year.
Master cylinder fluid reservoirs for both standard
and antilock brake systems are marked with a FULL
fill line indicating the reservoirs proper fluid level
(Fig. 57).
NOTE: When filling brake fluid reservoir, use only
Mopar brake fluid or an equivalent stored in a
tightly sealed container. Brake fluid must conform
to DOT 3 specifications. Do not use brake fluid with
a lower boiling point than DOT 3, as brake failure
could result during prolonged hard braking. Do not
use petroleum-based fluid because seal damage in
the brake system will result.
If necessary, add brake fluid to reservoir, bringing
brake fluid level to the FULL fill line shown on fluid
reservoir (Fig. 57).
The master cylinder brake fluid reservoir used on
this vehicle includes a brake fluid level switch. The
brake fluid level sensor location is in the body of the
brake fluid reservoir (Fig. 57). In the event of low
brake fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, the
RED brake warning indicator lamp in the instrument
cluster will turn on.
SPECIFICATIONS
BRAKE FLUID
The brake fluid used in this vehicle must conform
to DOT 3 specifications and SAE J1703 standards.
No other type of brake fluid is recommended or
approved for usage in the vehicle brake system. Use
BRAKES - BASE BRAKE SYSTEM 5 - 35
Fig. 57 Master Cylinder Fluid Level
1 - BOOSTER
2 - MASTER CYLINDER
3 - MASTER CYLINDER FLUID RESERVOIR
4 - FLUID LEVEL FULL MARK
5 - FLUID LEVEL SWITCH
only Mopar brake fluid or an equivalent from a
tightly sealed container.
CAUTION: Never use reclaimed brake fluid or fluid
from a container which has been left open. An open
container will absorb moisture from the air and con-
taminate the fluid.
CAUTION: Never use any type of petroleum-based
fluid in the brake hydraulic system. Use of such
type fluids will result in seal damage of the vehicle
brake hydraulic system causing a failure of the
vehicle brake system. Petroleum based fluids
include items such as engine oil, transmission fluid,
power steering fluid, etc.
BRAKE JUNCTION BLOCK
DESCRIPTION
A junction block is used on vehicles that are not
equipped with antilock brakes (ABS). The junction
block is located in front of the driver's side front tire
behind the front fascia (Fig. 63). The junction block
mounts in the same location as the ABS integrated
control unit (ICU) does on vehicles with ABS.
It has six threaded ports to which the brake tubes
connect. Two are for the brake tubes coming from the
master cylinder. The remaining four ports are for the
brake tubes going to each brake assembly. The valve
is permanently mounted to a bracket which fastens
to the engine cradle crossmember.