P38 Brakes question

Hi all, first post here


So After 5 years with a classic (well and truly off roaded - will be on ebay soon) I have now bought a 98 p38 dse.

One thing I have noticed is the difference in the way the hydraulic pump for the brakes operates.
Classic: runs longer but less often.
P38: runs every time I touch the brakes but only for 2 secs or so.

Also (and this may be unrelated) I notice that every so often (once every 2 days or so) the yellow abs, and red brake warning light come on for about 1/2 a second or so, usually when I brake quite hard.


Is the p38 hydraulic system just set up differently? Is this normal?

The lights shouldn't come on when braking, they will come on for a while after starting if the vehicle has been left for a time as the pressure builds back up, you'll hear the pump running.

Sounds like the pressure is too low, the pump should run after, say, 2 or 3 pumps of the brake but not every time you touch it. Possibly a pump or accumulator fault.

Unless any P38 owners out there know different but all the ones I've driven (and thats a hell of a lot!) have never had the lights come on when braking hard or the pump run with every touch of the brake.

definately coming on every time.

I guess the pump runs fine, so the problem is either the pressure switch (I assume there is one) telling the pump to stop too early, or the accumulator (as you say) what does this bit do, and how does this work?

any one got any suggestions what to check next?