ABS/Brake/Battery light

[Neouka]

So I was going around a rather large, long, tight offramp at a fun speed (not fast enough to be stupid, but faster than most), but anyway, as I went under an overpass on the ramp, the headlights come on, as they always do every time you go under any overpass for 0.1 seconds.Anyway, as they try to come on, the ALS suddenly changes its mind and the main lights turn off (DRLs still on), the ABS, Brake and Battery light all light up. I wasn't on the brakes at all the entire corner. No check engine light. I'm like.. (removed). I finish the corner, turn the headlights on by hand... and the battery light turns off then, the other two still on. Pull into the nearest gas station and park - car seems fine, brake fluid level is within tolerable levels, power steering fluid is a little low, but that shouldn't affect anything. Shut the car off, checked fuses, they're ok. Started the car back up... no more ABS/Brake warning lights, carried on my way, no warning lights for the rest of the time I was out.Brakes seem fine, no dragging or odd noises, can't test my ABS very easily on dry pavement, but I assume it's ok.It's probably worth noting that I think I have the original battery, and the "eye" is no longer green, but I don't know why that would cause my dash to light up like a christmas tree when i'm going around a corner and the headlights want to turn on.I really hope it's not a sign of rogue electrical problems, as I got rid of my old Sunfire just for that reason, so I could get a better car, aka, the Vibe.Any insight? I've owned this car for over a year now and haven't had a single problem... and it's got to last me another 3 3/4 years

[ColonelPanic]

You could have a dying alternator... All kinds of weird lights can come on when there isn't enough voltage to run all the electronics in the car. I had similar issues on a couple of cars I used to own when their alternators died. The ABS lights came on both cars when the alternators went out (along w/ the charging warning light), one also set the air bag light. The ABS and brake lights on yours probably came on because of a voltage drop that was made worse by the headlights coming on. I believe when voltages drop below a certain point, the ABS computer will set a code.I don't know if codes set for ABS can be read with a normal OBD-II scanner, if so AutoZone can check them for you if you don't have a scanner. Otherwise, may want to run it by the dealer.And definitely a test of the charging system and battery is in order... Sounds like the battery is either in need of charging or replacement since the eye is dark.Good luck!

[Neouka]

thanks for the replyI have had an alternator go out on a '90 Prelude I used to own.. The only thing that happened is the battery light lit on the dash, and the entire car was running off the battery. I did drive it (at night with the lights on) safely home which was about 30 mins up the highway... but that was a slightly less electrically complex car than the Vibe, no ABS, etc.As it is, I'm going to assume that the alternator is more than likely fine, and there was a voltage drop somehow caused by the corner and the lights coming on that the car didn't like... and the car turned off the ABS system due to it.. all because the battery is nearly dead. So I'll probably replace the battery this week and hope it doesn't happen again I don't know how much an electrical system test would cost here (we don't have autozones)..

[Neouka]

replaced my battery today, got a brand new one with a 9 year warranty Cost was about $90, put it in myself, had to seriously fight the one bolt that holds the back of the tie-down.. and the battery is still too short to be held down correctly. So I'll have to get that fixed soon, but nonetheless, no recurring problem (well, not that it was recurring in the first place..), and the car even feels to start up better, cause the starter isn't bogging as much due to lack of juice, it seems.