1998 Blazer 4 door 4 wheel drive.

i am in Ecuador. My Blazer was manufactured in Venezuela. I bought it a year ago. Since then it has been threatening my life. The rear axle was just replaced. I had that big silver unit that controls the brakes replaced. It is close to the firewall. I don’t remember what it’s called, sorry. Anyway. Then the axle broke. It was welded as a temporary fix. I took the car to have it washed and detailed so it would be nicer for a mechanic to replace the axle. After the underside was pressure washed, the brakes started having a mind of their own.

the axle was finally replaced. On the short drive home, it took two blocks to stop enough so I could make a right turn. I pulled up the hill to my gate. I turned the engine off. I started getting out. The car started rolling backwards. The steering wheel locked up. I quickly started the engine, the car was picking up speed. The brakes did nothing. It only stopped when I pushed in the clutch.

i drove it back up the hill. Again it would not stop until I pushed in the clutch.

ive searched the forums and have no idea what’s wrong with this car. Do I need to buy that control unit again?

im do upset I don’t know what to do.

 

It's called a master cylinder. Do you have or losing fluid? Is the pedal going to floor or does it work normally? Trying to get more info for others as I cannot help sorry...

 

I agree with DonL. Sounds like a LOT of air in the brake fluid system and hardly any pressure being applied to the calipers.

 

Strange that brakes should completely fail after power washing. Except they have damaged lines or hoses.
If the ABS block has been changed it needs to be bled correctly. Images would help.

To get some things clear on your truck. Please take no offense, but your issue seems very strange to me, therefore some very basic questions.

Before you got it pressure washed, the brakes were working fine?
You have a manual transmission? (Three pedals for the driver?)
Which pedal did you press to brake?
When you said you pushed the clutch, did it stop like you would expect from brakes?

Big silver thingy might be the ABS pump and valve block. Master brake cylinder is the thing attached to the canister on the drivers side firewall with the brake fluid reservoir on top.

ON EMERGENCY BRAKING

The parking brake is also considered an emergency brake.
Careful, that brake does not release by itself (obviously)

With a manual transmission shift down and use that initially to brake.
Also with an automatic transmission shift down 1 gear.
When shifting down avoid over revving the engine. Each gear rises rpm about 1'000 - 1'500 rpm.

Cutting the engine (switch off) is not considered a good alternative.
You risk the steering lock engaging.
You loose vacuum to the brake booster.
You loose power steering.