ABS light comes on occassionally

1994 Caprice Classic Station Wagon

Bought this a few weeks ago. At the time, I was told that the car had a recent brake job. The brakes seem to be working fine--nice smooth brake with no pulsing or anything. But, sometimes after driving a few minutes, the ABS light comes on. Then it may stay on for the length of a short trip or it may go off on its own. Doesn't stay on when ignition is first turned on, as it cycles through its tests. Like I said, it takes a few minutes of driving to light up, if it comes on at all.

One non-paid consultant suggested I have the ABS sensors cleaned the next time the tires are rotated. He said that the even if the ABS is not working right, that doesn't mean that the brakes aren't. Any other ideas or suggestions?

 

That's the first place you should start. Clean 'em up and inspect the wires. After that I'm lost.

 

My '93 Roadmaster does the same thing, I don't mind or pay it any attention. Once the snow falls, I unplug mine anyway. Nothing I hate worse then needing to stop and having that dang ABS beating my foot back off the peddle. I like to be able to lock up the tires when needed, damn ABS feels soft and mushy to me.

But if you want/need them, check the sensors located at each hub, it looks like a toothed sprocket with a sensor with a thick wire. If you are mechanically inclined its not hard to do yourself. A can of brake cleaner should do the trick.

 

My wife's 02 Maxima does the same thing. I had it checked out and the sensor needs to be replaced instead of just cleaned, in her case. It doesn't affect the brakes function so I'm letting it ride for now.

 

It sounds like a loose connection. If the light stays on, the airbag sensor may need to be replaced. I did that on my 90 Mercury, but the part was still available at Ford then. Today you would have to get it from a junkyard unless there's some NOS ones around still.

 

Why do I baby my '79 Fairmont? Just the thought of debugging a newer car is intimidating. Lucky for me, that Andy knows his '96 Chevy police cruiser, upside down. Don't have the patience for those widgets, and you guys know that I'm no slouch when it comes to rewiring my car. Too much tech for a replacement for the horse-drawn wagon. The KISS Principle got lost after 1984.

 

Thanks for your input, guys. Stormin Norman, I hear what you saying, but I still love my '94 Caprice, ABS and all.

 

Oh yeah . . . Scott, the photos were really helpful.

 

Those are not pics of what yours looks like, but it gives you an idea on what you might be dealing with and what to look for..