MK5 ABS no fluid pressure on front drivers side caliper

[the clock man]

Hi Folks

Recently noticed occasional slight pull to the left when hitting the brakes.
Took drivers side wheel off and yep today brake not acuating with or without the engine running.
Checked nearside brake and it was fine with or without engine running.

Removed pipe union on caliper and no fluid being pushed out.
Checked output pipes on master cylinder and lots of pressure, also checked couple of other pipes on the ABS and lots of pressure.
Removed pipe form ABS that goes to the problem side and barely a movement of fluid let alone a decent squirt!

Am assuming that an internal solenoid in the ABS has failed and is stuck shut?
Have tried tapping the unit but just refuses to let more than the smallest dribble out.
Can these be serviced by / cleaned through by myslef? I am a competent mechanic just never worked on an ABS unit before.
I dont think the fuild has been changed for some time as recently replaced a rear wheel cylinder and fuid didnt look good so wonder if crud is the problem in the ABS unit.

Model is a MK5 Manual transit with 4DA engine 1994 model. Its also a motorhome not a standard van.
Thanks in advance for any pointers

[MinorMatt]

I have seen this occur recently, and yes it was the ABS module. The owner ended up removing the ABS in the end

[the clock man]

I have seen this occur recently, and yes it was the ABS module. The owner ended up removing the ABS in the end

Thanks for reply, Yep I can see this going the same way, may have to see if I can strip the unit out and just use it as a manifold for the pipes to save making new ones up.

[metalworker0]

Sometimes the flex hoses can break down internally and form a flap inside them ..check this out first.

all the best.mark

[the clock man]

Sometimes the flex hoses can break down internally and form a flap inside them ..check this out first.

all the best.mark

Cheers, yep checked the flexi to the caliper, but nothing coming out of the joint on the ABS
There is a small legnth of flexi in the middle of the steel pipe from the master cylinder to the ABS.
Pressue at the top of this hose but stubborn fixing at the bottom, so will still check this one just in case. Fluid squirts out of all the other unions when slackened, just the one to the drivers side caliper on the ABS with pretty much nothing happening.

[the clock man]

Ok folks thought I would post the outcome incase anyone else has same issue.

I removed the ABS unit and took it apart, it was minging! found 3 solenoid valves were sticking so cleaned the unit through and powered them up up individually and eventually after a light tap with a small hammer got them all actuating.
Gave the filters and the blocks a throrough flush through with meths and all working great.
THEN found the flexi that I had previously checked to be blocked solid as suggested by someone on earlier post.
Weird as at first it started to bleed off ok then just stopped.
Now awaiting new pipe to arrive today to finish off, but in meantime have flushed the master cylinder and other pipes as the old fluid was like rusty coloured.
So keep the systems flushed is the answer with new fluid every few years to prevent this sort of drama.

[metalworker0]

Silicone brake fluid / DOT 5 is the one to use if you don't want ANY corrosion in the system, The down side is the whole brake system has to be flushed, all seals changed and you end up with a slightly spongier pedal and can only be topped up with DOT 5 silicone fluid.
Not to be confused with 5.1

all the best.mark

[the clock man]

Silicone brake fluid / DOT 5 is the one to use if you don't want ANY corrosion in the system, The down side is the whole brake system has to be flushed, all seals changed and you end up with a slightly spongier pedal and can only be topped up with DOT 5 silicone fluid.
Not to be confused with 5.1

all the best.mark

Thanks Mark good to know.
Have lots of DOT 4 as my old Landy uses that too so will probably stick with that as often bleed system to keep them clean.
Only had the Transit since December so still working through the list of jobs

Thanks for posts and advice always appreciated.