Brake & ABS Dash Light

Schwag · May 13, 2004

I was driving home the other day and upon stopping, the "ABS" and "Brake"

lights lit on the IP. Other than that nothing else appeared to affect the drivability

of my Y2K Sierra. The next morning fire it up and everything is reset and all good, a few days later they lit once again...

I do a lot myself so I'm just asking what areas would trip these lites, low pads, wheel cylinders, master cylinder etc... before I start dumping $$$ chasing this.

I just hope it's not a computer malfunction, my IP has enough black tape on it already, it would be nice to be able to dim those lites.

Thanks for any input and sharing your experiences.

Have a Good Day.

-steve

tmf6902 · May 13, 2004

Mine started to come on a while back, I took it to the stealer for something else, and and they checked it out. it was throwing anitlock brake codes....turns out I had a busted hub seal on the right rear, and it was spilling grease all over the brakes...the weird thing is I never saw anygrease on anything, I checked it all out when I got the light.....it was covered under my warrenty, so they must not have been screwing me.

Schwag · May 14, 2004

I'm going to hit all 4 corners with new pads and rotors, so I'll

look for something like that when I do.

It's interesting that it throws ABS codes, perhaps that will isolate a

problem corner.

Have a Good Day.

-steve

frdfandc · May 14, 2004

Both lights MAY also illuminate when the fluid level in the brake master cylinder gets low. The GM trucks may not work this way.

GMCTech · May 14, 2004

The ABS light will NOT go on unless there is an ABS fault. (except the flashing it does when you turn the key on.)

The ABS system monitors the mechanical and electrical aspects of the system, not the fluid level, consistency, or condition.

Low pads may set an ABS code for other reasons, such as, wheel speed fluctuations due to improper stopping power, etc.

Don't expect the pad swap to shut off that ABS light though. I think you'll find there is a different issue at hand.

Hope this helps.

BishopZ71 · May 14, 2004

I had something like that too on my97 S10. Took it to the stealerand they said it was the ABS sensor. They replaced it. $500 part When they started it back up it was still on. So the did some looking and found a bare wire that ran above the radiator. There was a screw that held the shroud down that rubbed the wire and created a short. Well one ofe the guys had the same truck like mine that was still in warranty, so they charged it to him.