My life has been such a mess lately I recently separated from my long term partner (and child), I have moved with work to a new city 120 miles from any friends or family and like most people in these times of financial difficulty I am completely skint.
The last thing for me to worry about was that little red light on the dashboard, you know the one, the red circle with the exclamation mark in it. Anyway, this morning I finished my night shift and got in the car looking forward to my bed. As soon as I put my foot on the clutch I knew there was a problem, no pressure. The pedal returned to position as normal but there was no resistance when depressed. I checked the clutch/brake fluid and discovered that the reservoir was completely dry. I got some fluid from the garage and filled it up. I sat pumping the pedal for a few minutes but still no improvement.
I feel quite embarrassed to say but that light had been on for ages. I there anyway I can solve this cheaply and quickly? I need my car for work and for visiting my family and friends.
My car is a T reg fiat brava sx, any help would be greatly appreciated.

When you filled it back up, did u check under the car for any leaks on the floor, as you might have a small leak that has got worse and worse as you have been using the car, Also what model is it?? May also be the seals on the clucth slave cylinder. But iam %99 there will be a leak some ware.

most likely a slave cylinder leak. will need bleeding if it has drained the reservoir.

slave cylinder works off the brake reservoir as the reservoir has got low its illuminated the brake warning light.
it is a hydraulic ram that pushes the clutch arm.
It is mounted on very top of the gearbox, can be seen under the battery tray.
There is (possibly8mm) bleed nipple on the cylinder.

It might be worth bleeding to get car home. But the leak will need to be found whether it be a corroded pipe or the cylinder itself.

clutch slave cylinder.
its on top of the gearbox, easy to replace, cheap to buy (under £30 @ a motor factor), and a very common problem.

Thanks everyone for your help, but I woke up this afternoon and checked my car. I depressed the clutch and still no pressure. I sat for about five minutes repeatedly pumping the clutch and slowly i began to notice that the pressure was returning. I fired up the engine and tested it and it works. Is that a miracle or what? I am chuffed to bits.
For all those that offered me help, I am sending you some good karma. Thanks again.

not being harsh or anything, but its not a miracle, because its not quite fixed yet. you need to replace the slave cylinder ASAP, because the next time it will leave you stranded, or worse leave you with no brakes.. some dash lights are not there just to look at, they actually warn you about stuff..

stylers said:

its not a miracle.

Click to expand...

nope, not even unusual.

it'll fail again soon. lets all hope it isnt on a motorway at night in the rain.

It will bleed itself but you're pedal will be rubbish and it will fail.

Nows the time to have a look, ignorance is not bliss.