100% agree with Mark. Brake light symptom is likely a separate issue.
The most important variable seems to be the "sitting for awhile." Seems unlikely that would be a factor in whether the system retained pressure (other than by coincidence).
I doubt this is related, but it reminds me a bit of a condition I get sometimes, under certain circumstance (especially the "after it's been sitting " thing).
About 10% of the time, after getting wet, then sitting for 24+ hrs, the first time I brake, I get a "catch" in the brakes. Kinda makes a bang/chirp, and provides a moment of resistance, almost like it's going to lock up - but it never gets really close to that. As soon as I release the pedal, it rolls fine (and never feels like it wants to really lock up, even if I kept the pedal applied). No other affect, and usually just happens one time. I always assumed it was a matter of a little flash rust on the drum (and maybe a trailing/leading shoe position - can you flip those?). When it first happened it seemed a bit dramatic. But it is really not, and otherwise the brakes work great.
99% of the time, when it does this, after hitting the brakes (and "catching") once, it's done. It ONLY happens at VERY low speed (I go down a hill from my driveway, so apply brakes pretty quickly). Once in a great while it takes a couple of "catches." The degree of apparent dramatic-ness varies. Most of the time it doesn't happen, of course. When it does, sometimes it's barely a tick, others, it will be 3 stronger, separate "catches," before it's gone (like once on the hill, once (usually lesser) at the first intersection). It's always gone by a couple of brake applications AND if I drive without braking right away (eg: I'm not at home, on the hill), it doesn't do it at all (braking at speed probably clears it without having any noticeable affect due to momentum). Length of time sitting seems to be an important variable. That and the very slow speeds at which I usually brake for the first time.
The most important variable seems to be the "sitting for awhile." Seems unlikely that would be a factor in whether the system retained pressure (other than by coincidence).
I doubt this is related, but it reminds me a bit of a condition I get sometimes, under certain circumstance (especially the "after it's been sitting " thing).
About 10% of the time, after getting wet, then sitting for 24+ hrs, the first time I brake, I get a "catch" in the brakes. Kinda makes a bang/chirp, and provides a moment of resistance, almost like it's going to lock up - but it never gets really close to that. As soon as I release the pedal, it rolls fine (and never feels like it wants to really lock up, even if I kept the pedal applied). No other affect, and usually just happens one time. I always assumed it was a matter of a little flash rust on the drum (and maybe a trailing/leading shoe position - can you flip those?). When it first happened it seemed a bit dramatic. But it is really not, and otherwise the brakes work great.
99% of the time, when it does this, after hitting the brakes (and "catching") once, it's done. It ONLY happens at VERY low speed (I go down a hill from my driveway, so apply brakes pretty quickly). Once in a great while it takes a couple of "catches." The degree of apparent dramatic-ness varies. Most of the time it doesn't happen, of course. When it does, sometimes it's barely a tick, others, it will be 3 stronger, separate "catches," before it's gone (like once on the hill, once (usually lesser) at the first intersection). It's always gone by a couple of brake applications AND if I drive without braking right away (eg: I'm not at home, on the hill), it doesn't do it at all (braking at speed probably clears it without having any noticeable affect due to momentum). Length of time sitting seems to be an important variable. That and the very slow speeds at which I usually brake for the first time.
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