I have a 2007 octavia 1.9 diesel

 

I encountered some brake issues and had to replace the master cylinder.

 

But now the pedal sticks slightly (doesnt completely return sometimes which causes the brakes to bind, the solution to this is to hook your foot under the pedal and pull it up only a little bit.

 

Is there a spring or some return mechanism anywhere on the pedal or in behind the rubber bellows near the bulkhead?

 

I tried a homemade fix with a spring attached to the hole in the centre of the pedal shaft; seems to help slightly.

 

Even though the car is an 2007 it has the same lights as the 2001 model so I presume its the Mk1.

 

I read somewhere that there are two colours of brake light switch green and black (mines got the green one which is apparently the newer one: read this somewhere on the web).

 

just to add pedal doesn't sink to floor or anything acts as it should bar the last centimeter fully returning sometimes!

 

any help greatly appreciated

Edited 8 September, 20169 yr by briaineo

When the master cylinder was replaced was the brake servo disturbed or disconnected at all?

some good news, the green brake light switch is the latest revision and least likely to fail. It won't be having any effect on your non returning pedal, so no need to worry about that either. 

Hi

Yep the servo was disconnected by mechanic when originally trying to diagnose the problem.

Good to be able to rule out brake switch

Thanks

You could rule out the brake switch by removing it.

Has the pedal been disconnected from the servo?

You could rule out the brake switch by removing it.

Has the pedal been disconnected from the servo?

As far as I know the servo was disconnected at engine side, just to test if this was causing the serious brake binding.

Was there ever a solution found to this problem? Having exactly the same problem with mine after replacing the master cylinder, all calipers free, servo seems to work fine, ABS module tested fine using diag ... Thanks!

Having the same issue, car locks up when brake pedal pressed and will only go when pedal is pulled back up. Did anyone fins the solution?

On 14/04/2025 at 11:23, Bennnun said:

Was there ever a solution found to this problem? Having exactly the same problem with mine after replacing the master cylinder, all calipers free, servo seems to work fine, ABS module tested fine using diag ... Thanks!

2 hours ago, Donya1707 said:

Having the same issue, car locks up when brake pedal pressed and will only go when pedal is pulled back up. Did anyone fins the solution?

That sounds like a different issue to the one discussed. Would suggest your problem is a failed master cylinder or servo which needs to be replaced.

If its going to floor and not returning I wouldnt be driving it until I found the fault. It could be a return spring on pedal thats broken or come off but it could also be the master cylinder seals letting fluid passed them. It may not be leaking yet but at some point if it is the master you will have no Brakes!! Check the brake reservoir level and any brake pipes/flexi for leaks. Similar symptoms can happen if its a major leak of fluid.

Alasdair

On 14/04/2025 at 19:23, Bennnun said:

Having exactly the same problem with mine after replacing the master cylinder,

Id suspect the master cylinder is at fault? Was it an aftermarket ebay special??

I have seen aftermarket calipers and cylinders do similar thing on Toyota's in the past. Jambed brakes.

That said, why did you replace master cylinder? Maybe that is the underlying cause??

Thanks for replying, have ordered a new master cylinder and once fitted will update with outcome.