ABS and Brake Lights

[Nicholi]

I bought my 99 Grand AM SE about 2 years ago. When I first got it, randomly, the ABS and Brake lights would come on (causing cruise control not to work). Now it happens most every time I turn on the car.
I had it plugged in awhile back and it came back as nothing wrong with my brakes but the guy said the problem was with the car's computer.
There is nothing wrong with my brakes, they work just fine, but with the lights coming on 90% of the time now it is getting pretty annoying.
Anyone have anything similar or know anything more about it?

[gt00]

You need to get the ABS code to determine what the issue is here . A regular code reader won't work , you need to go to a brake shop or dealer for that .... ;)

[rixGAphx]

A problem with the ABS won't affect the Cruise Control (it operates from the Vehicle Speed Sensor in the tranny, not from the ABS Wheel Speed Sensors at the hubs).
If the brake pedal is slightly depressed, there are 2 switches under the dash that senses the pedal arm position; one activates the brake lights, the other tells the 'puter what's happening. The 'puter disengages the Cruise Control and the tranny Torque Converter Clutch when the switch activates. The switch can be out of adjustment, causng goofy TCC and CC operation.

And generally, the 'BRAKE' light only responds to 2 inputs: Handbrake 'up', or low MC fluid level. It doesn't illuminate just because there's an ABS problem.

The fluid level drops as the disc brake pads wear; have you checked the MC?

The ABS icon will be illuminated for many reasons, including poor data from WSS and irregularities in the ABS computer.

Your brakes may *seem* fine, and they may be working better than 99% of GA brakes out there.
But there is a problem, and it could kill you or others. You need to find the problem.

As gt00 said, go to a brake specialist and have them run the codes and give you an estimate. Shold be free.
Come back and talk to us, mebbe the shop should do the work or mebbe we can talk you through it.

Hope this helps,
-Rick

[mattcow]

When I had similar warning lights on, it ended up being some worn and broken wires in the EBCM harness. Before I repaired the problem, if it so happend that these lights came on while I was on cruise, the cruise control would shut off but it could then be re-initiated.

I could see the brake light warning being tied to the cruise as if there is a problem with your brakes you probly don't want the cruise on untill its too late to stop. You may have a wire that is intermitantly gounding and causing the brake light/ cruise to shut off.