ABS & Brake Light Illuminated

[KLars]

Hi everyone,

This morning when I started my car the ABS & Brake light came on. I checked to make sure the E-brake was fully disengaged and it was. I also checked to make sure that my stop/tail lights were not burned out they were not.

I started the car three times today. Everytime the ABS & Brake light eventually came on. However, one time I started the car, the lights didn't come on immediately after I started the car. The lights came on after I had been on the road for a minute or two.


Car Info:

1994 GA GT Coupe
3100 V6 egine
ABS
New front pads and turned rotors about 2 months ago

So....I have taken a look at the archieves and found some info. My main questions is this:



Will the ABS and Brake lights come on if my rear brakes shoes have worn too low or are out of adjustment? i.e. My rear brakes need replacing?



I know they are about due. I checked them about 5K miles ago and they still had some life. However, they are getting there for sure.

If it is NOT that my rear brakes need replacing I have gathered the following info:

--Could be electrical because the ABS system is sensitive to variations in voltage and current i.e. Alternator, cabling, battery
--Could be a wheel sensor
--ABS codes should be read at the brake shop-AutoZone can't read ABS codes
--ABS is difficult to diagnose at home without a scanner after you check the obvious: Fluid, Shoes/Pads

Thanks for the help! I will be sure to report back on whatever the fix is.

KL

[wiccanferret]

Both those lights and no other abnormalities, from my experience, usually indicates rear brake shoes.

[KLars]

Originally posted by wiccanferret
Both those lights and no other abnormalities, from my experience, usually indicates rear brake shoes.

Good stuff to hear! I will change the rear shoes and give a report.

thanks for the info,

KL

[slvgrandam]

The same thing happened to my 99 se and I let it ride out to long and I blew a wheel cylinder....

I originally thought it was my e-brake locking up..but now i need to find a backing plate because the little metal piece in which the horeshoe spring wraps around has broken....

[slvgrandam]

If anyone knows the answer to my question about brakes locking up and can tell me more then let me know,

Ty

[KLars]

Originally posted by slvgrandam
The same thing happened to my 99 se and I let it ride out to long and I blew a wheel cylinder....

I originally thought it was my e-brake locking up..but now i need to find a backing plate because the little metal piece in which the horeshoe spring wraps around has broken....

So your problem was or was not that you needed to replace your rear brake shoes?

How long was too long? I am wondering if I can make it until next weekend.....I will probably drive 300 miles before then.

KL

[Cuta]

I have had that problem 3 times with my car.(95 GA 2.3L) The first time i had a blown brake line, the second time they had to reset the Abs sensor and the third time they had to replace a wire that leads to the abs sensor. Get that checked out at your pontiac dealership

[krazysmurf]

I had the same problem and it was my speed sensor,something to think about