This has been an ongoing thing that seems to happen on and off. My abs inop light and my asr off light frequently just stay on and when i try and switch it off it doesn't turn on/off. Majority of the time both lights will come on at initial start up, sometimes while im driving, and sometimes they both will come on when i park and am about to shut the car off. I had some issues awhile back and replaced some brake lines, the master cylinder and put new pads/rotors front and back. I still have brakes but they are no where near as strong as they used to be. Most of the time when i first start the car up my brakes are very weak and i can almost push it to the floor but after hitting the brakes a few times it seems to stop harder. Also when im im reverse sometimes the brakes barely want to stop. When i replaced the master cylinder i followed the process of bleeding starting with the abs unit. Then i ran into 2 other leaking brake lines and had someone else replace a few of them and had them bleed the brakes but i dont think they bleed the abs unit again. Should i bleed the brakes again starting at the abs unit? If anyone has info please let me know. Thanks.

 

When the ABS INOP light comes on, it indicates a problem with the ABS system. The cause of the problem is stored in the EBTCM computer, and can be recalled with a high end scanner like a Tech 1 or Tech 2. I suspect that when the ABS system has a problem, as indicated by the ABS INOP light, the TCS system is turned off, because they both utilized the same components.

The ABS problem can be as simple as a fualty wheel sensor, loose connector, dirt in the sensor, etc. Or it can be a more serious problem with the ABS/TCS motor assembly.

You need to get it scanned to see what it turning on the ABS INOP light. Does the "BRAKE" light also come on when this happens? That would indicate a problem with the pressure in the front or rear hydraulic systems.

 

Thanks for the information. Where do i find a tech 1 or 2 scanner? How expensive may this be to have it checked and fixed? And the brake light does not stay on or even come on. It might of stayed on for a short period of time like once i can recall but never does it really. Do you have any idea why it happens on and off though?

 

The "Tech" scanners are the factory tools the GM delaer service people use. You can find them used, but they are expensive.

An intermittent problem will often trace back to wiring, a connector, a ground, etc.

 

So would my best bet be to just contact a GM dealer or service center and inquire about getting my abs checked? Any idea how much that would cost or if its even an option? I know i sound very dumb and i am as of late when it comes to this car and other things.. I just am hoping to figure out as much as i can and hope to get led in the right direction with this car and get it running properly.

 

You can probably find a brake specialty shop that has a scanner. They can buy the Techs, or use an equivalent from Snap-On, etc. I've seen lower cost scan units for home use, but they are usually for brake systems newer than 96. You could look around to see if you could find a scanner. My Chilton's has a code list for the ABS/TCS system.

You could start by checking all the sensor connections (one at each wheel) for dirt and corrosions. Try and blow brake dust out of the sensors, clean the reluctors on the rear axles, etc. Might get lucky and find the problem.