93 ZJ Bleeding Brakes

I replaced my brakes and my rotors on my 93 ZJ and I can't get the brakes firm so I'm assuming I need to bleed them. I don't have money for any special silicone tubing or brake bleeding kits, is there a way I can just bleed the brakes without those tools or will I need them?

 

Basic brake bleeding kits are inexpensive as all you need is a helper.

 

You can pick up tubing cheap at a home improvement store, cut the top off of a bottle and put about an inch of brake fluid in the bottom (enough to cover the end of the tubing).
Open the bleeder, put the tubing on the bleeder and put the other end in the bottle.
Slowly pump the brakes (vehicle off). keep and eye on the fluid level. Pump 3-5 times, tighten the bleeder before removing the tubing, remove tubing and finish tightening the bleeder if necessary.
Start at the Passenger Rear, Driver Rear, Passenger Front, and finally Driver Front.
You can do this by yourself, I use it to bleed brakes and clutch.

 

I found this at O'Reilly's for $10.30

 

Here's a video of my brakes and pedal going to the floor... By the looks of this video, do I need to bleed my brakes ?

https://youtu.be/hV5V_G3--Fg

 

When you did the brakes did you just push the caliper piston back in with a C-clamp?

 

Yes

 

That shouldn't require the brakes to be bleed, but if they feel soft it certainly wouldn't hurt.

 

My brake light has been on since yesterday and I checked the fluid and topped it off this morning, but it's still on and the brakes feel softer than usual. New brakes and rotors, bleeding the brakes,...

 

Hopefully your issues is just some air in the brake lines. When was the last brake fluid flush? Is the brake fluid dark in color?

 

I'm not sure when the last brake fluid change was and the fluid was dark... I still have the brake light, sometimes it goes away but mostly it stays. I've replaced the brake pads, the rotors, and bled the brakes and I'm still getting this brake light. The reservoir works because it pumps when I bled the brakes and had to keep it full.

 

Check the parking brake and make sure it is completely released. Unplug the sensor and see if the light goes out.
You might also unplug the sensor at the proportioning valve as well and see if the light goes out.

 

My parking brake you mean the emergency brake? Where do I find the sensors?

 

Typically the emergency/parking brake sensor is near the base of the hand brake assembly.

 

Under the center console?

 

Correct.
The proportioning valve sensor wire may be easier to get to first.

 

What is that and how do I get to it?

 

Should be just below the brake master cylinder somewhere, the brake lines will flow into it at the top and out at the bottom. The wire connector is at the top between the brake lines.
This is for a Cherokee but it should be pretty much the same:

 

Okay and when I unplug it what's a good sign to look for and what's a bad sign?

 

If the light goes out it tells you what system (hydraulic brakes vs parking/emergency brakes) that you need to look at.
If disconnecting the proportioning valve sensor causes the light to go out you might consider flushing the brake fluid if it is dark and bleeding the brakes again. The proportioning valve may also be bad.
If disconnecting the parking/emergency brake sensor causes the light to go out the brake may not be releasing completely or the sensor may be bad.