amptuttle
Mar 23 2009, 12:36 AM
Alright guys sumtimes when I start up my 97 Formy the ABS INOP and/or BREAK light comes on. Has this happened to any of you? Im not conerned bout the BREAK light cuz I know the e-break is all the way released. Its more that ABS INOP one that has me keepin an eye on it. And like I said its only sumtimes, like rare sumtimes.
Pontiacformula94
Mar 23 2009, 01:50 AM
Do you have any brake fluid leaks? Have you done any work where you would need to bleed the brakes? When I changed my gear set I took the rear axle out of the car. when I put it back in I did a brake bleed and when I started the car I had the Brake light on. It felt like I had really good pedal, but there was still a little air in the system. I went all the way around and reaccomplished my bleeding one more time and I got just a little bubble out and then the light went out. That is something you could look into. Or perhaps the sensor that reads that is having issues. As for the ABS light, it could be related to that. Or if one of the brake lights (tail lights) is out it will turn on the ABS light, so maybe a bad ground on one of the lights could cause that to come on intermittently if the two issues aren't related. Those are the things I would check first.
Pyro97
Mar 23 2009, 04:33 AM
A burnt out brake light bulb could cause the brake light to come on. As for the ABS light, there's a lot of things it could be. Start by checking the fluid level, maybe bleed it, and clean the wheel speed sensors as those can throw a code. If none of these fix it and there's nothing obvious, it might be worth while taking the car to a shop that can read the code and having them scan it rather than just throwing money at the problem.
Me Too
Mar 23 2009, 01:59 PM
When the brake light and the ABS INOP light come on at the same time, it means that the ABS brake module has failed. It's a code. The ABS module is located under the dash, stupid little white plastic thingy and it is very expensive, try some place other than a GM dealer for a replacement.
Freshbake
Mar 23 2009, 08:40 PM
^^Right! Check to see what happens when you start your car up. When you first start it, does JUST the ABS INOP light come on? If so, once the car starts to roll and the BRAKE light comes on, it means you have either dirty or bad ABS sensors. Try cleaning them out with a rag really good, both in the front and the rears. More times than not, that will solve the problem.
amptuttle
Mar 23 2009, 09:07 PM
Well see it doesn't come on everytime i start her up, and its happened before. I guess now im just getting antzy bout it.
Me Too
Mar 23 2009, 09:27 PM
QUOTE(amptuttle @ Mar 24 2009, 06:07 AM)

Well see it doesn't come on everytime i start her up, and its happened before. I guess now im just getting antzy bout it.
Yup, that is exactly what mine did. In fact, the lights went out for about 6 months, then finally came on and stayed on. I can't remember the whole process for trouble shooting, but I did publish it on this forum. Try doing a search through the archives under ABS INOP light and the brake light. Trouble shooting involves checking what everyone has mentioned and then a series of steps that rehomes the cylinders within the ABS motor by stepping on the brake pedal.
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