ABS and BRAKE lights on steady

srm222 · Post by **srm222** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 3:28 am

Beginning yesterday, the ABS and BRAKE lights on my wife's Vibe GT are on steady while driving. After shutting down the car and restarting last night, the lights were out.This morning, I drove for about a half hour (no lights), stopped and then when I started the car again, the lights returned.The brake pedal feels fine. There's plenty of fluid in the master cylinder. Car obviously stops fine but I'm planning on bringing it into the dealer.2 question:1) Anyone know what the problem my be? 2) Do these lights throw a code, like a "check engine" light?

ragingfish · Post by **ragingfish** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 12:57 pm

Not to state the obvious, but do you use the parking brake? Is it engaged even a single notch? If so, that will trigger the brake light.If not, my suspicion is, then, the brake fluid level switch may be faulty. This is inside the master cylinder resevoir, and is the only component I can find that might trigger both the ABS and BRAKE indicator lights.That being said, get it checked out fast. While the ABS light is on, your ABS system is disabled and general braking may be hindered.

srm222 · Post by **srm222** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 9:36 pm

agreed. I believe it's a sensor also and the car is going to the dealer asap. Just trying to get an idea as it's out of warranty now.

joatmon · Post by **joatmon** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 10:01 pm

I would expect there to be some code stored in the computer. If you wanted to try to dig into it without the dealer, you could try taking it to one of those auto parts stores that will read codes for free. If it was me I'd probably take it to the dealer, pay the big bucks, and not worry about it.You've been a member for a long time, sorry you had to have trouble with the Vibe, but if it got you to finally say hi then it's not all bad. Let us know how this turns out, and of course, anything else.

srm222 · Post by **srm222** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:24 pm

It's funny because I didn't realize I've never made a post up until now! The Vibe is my wife's car so I spend most of my forum time pertaining to my car.

sloth · Post by **sloth** » Mon Jun 27, 2005 11:38 pm

Well my brother had a similar problem on a completely different vehicle. The dealer replaced the brake accuator and fixed the electrical problems.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 2:28 am

If you have both BRAKE and ABS on, I woulndn't drive the thing, personally. That's definitely a physical problem somewhere which could lead to not having brakes at all...Now, if it were just ABS on, it would be safe to drive, but you just woulnd't have ABS. I know the Malibu I had before this spent so much of its life without ABS (took 'em forever and several sensors to find the problem) but the regular brakes were fine. Drive safely, good luck, and let us know how things turn out!

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:01 am

ABS is not a safe light to drive the car while its on. Should there be a ABS brake module problem and the system malfunctions, any application of the brake could result in the ABS activating and you being unable to slow your car down.If you are canadian, your Vibe is subject to a powertrain warranty which includes wheel bearings. The sensor is located in that wheel bearing assembly. However US models do not have a powertrain warranty. Hopefully it works out for you but you should take the vehicle in for a check. Not to scare you but when I orded my Vibe, I took a look before hand through parts at the cost of ABS fixes and such. It scared me enough to decline ABS on my Vibe.

srm222 · Post by **srm222** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:09 am

thanks for the advice all. The car is going to the dealer but not until we return from vacation. I should know something in a couple of weeks.What's strange about this is the lights are not on all the time. You can drive the car for an hour and then they both illuminate.I agree that driving is not a good idea, I'm just trying to get a feel for what the problem is. For now the car will be parked.

Mavrik · Post by **Mavrik** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 3:45 am

an odd question but how are your brakes as far as life is concerned? I have seen where the vehicle was almost metal on metal and after a while of driving, braking, the fluid was so far pressed into the lines to apply the brake that the brake and abs light would come on. There was no leaks and when the car was off, the brake fluid seemed up and full. But while driving it would go down. Just something to keep in mind.

sloth · Post by **sloth** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 4:03 am

Here is what my brother was expierencing in his Armada.I now have the VDC OFF, SLIP, ABS and Brake light lit up on the dash. My navigation now only shows the vehicle sitting in one place and spinning around as I turn. My trip odo doesn't register on the dash nor the NAV, and I noticed this morning that the speedometer doesn't work now either.Turned out to be a brake accuator. I know the armada is about as far away from the vibe as it gets but the symptoms sound similar to me.

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 7:42 am

Actually, the ABS light being on means the ABS system is shut down. The failsafe mode when there is an ABS problem is shutdown the ABS, so it won't interfere with normal braking.Sorry to ask a very dumb question here, but have you checked your brake fluid level when the light comes on? If is is too low, you'll get both the ABS light, as well as the Brake light. It could also be air in the brake lines. If that isn't the problem, you'll have to let the dealer look into it.

srm222 · Post by **srm222** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:15 pm

Yes, I've checked the brake fluid, and if there is any air in the system, I don't feel it. Pedal feel hasn't changed.Update, we drove the car most of the day yesterday and the lights did NOT come on. I just took it out again this morning to run some errands and still no lights. Hmm....

tnpartsguy · Post by **tnpartsguy** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 10:22 pm

Could be a wheel speed sensor. Luckily, unlike MOST GM products, the Vibe's wheel speed sensor are not part of the hub, and can be replaced seperately. $500+ for a hub versus $100 +/- for a speed sensor.

ColonelPanic · Post by **ColonelPanic** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 11:42 pm

Quote, originally posted by tnpartsguy Â»Could be a wheel speed sensor. Luckily, unlike MOST GM products, the Vibe's wheel speed sensor are not part of the hub, and can be replaced seperately. $500+ for a hub versus $100 +/- for a speed sensor.Oh wow, that's an interesting concept. I figured it would be integrated into the hub... That does make for cheaper replacement. I know when I had issues with the Malibu, the selling dealer refused to replace the sensor under warranty because it was in the hub and that cost too much money. Had a total of at least two sensors installed at other dealers... $Cha-ching!$

ABS and BRAKE lights on steady

ABS and BRAKE lights on steady

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (srm222)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (ragingfish)

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Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (joatmon)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (srm222)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (srm222)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (ColonelPanic)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (Mavrik)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (srm222)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (Mavrik)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (tnpartsguy)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (srm222)

Re: ABS and BRAKE lights on steady (tnpartsguy)