2000 Cavalier - ABS Light On

[LSmith]

How serious is this? We did what the owner's manual said about turning off car to let it reset but light still stays on. Should we try to disconnect the battery to see if it resets?

If we should take the car to a shop should there be a maximum charge we should pay for a diagnostic on the brakes?

Thanks.

[Tom]

It just means that the anti lock feature is not working. the brakes will continue to work except for the anti lock feature. You can try to clear it by disconnecting the battery. Most shops will charge $30-$40 for diagnosis...make sure they have a scanner that can read abs codes...most shops can only read engine codes. for this one I would use a GM dealer.

[mar]

I assume that when you turned off car the light when out? Now when you turn on the car does the light come on right away before the car even moves or does it come on at some point after the car starts moving? It could be the magnetic abs sensors located where the half axle enters the back of the wheel. It could also be bad wheel bearing(s), when the bearing goes bad you get run-out in the wheel and the required tolerance between the sensor and the axle becomes to large for the pickup to work properly.

[cheryl]

I recently (about 6 weeks ago) had my front brakes and rotors replaced. My brakes feel great, but now my ABS light comes on. When I cut the engine off the light goes out. When I drive for a period of time the light comes on. Is there any danger in driving with the ABS light on? Will my brakes fail? Or is it just the sensor is bad and needs to be replaced.

[Terrytoon]

Cheryl.....if you still have your ABS problem e-mail me and I'll tell you what you need to do to fix [e-mail]

[Michele]

cheryl wrote:

I recently (about 6 weeks ago) had my front brakes and rotors replaced. My brakes feel great, but now my ABS light comes on. When I cut the engine off the light goes out. When I drive for a period of time the light comes on. Is there any danger in driving with the ABS light on? Will my brakes fail? Or is it just the sensor is bad and needs to be replaced.

********I HAVE THE SMAE PROBLEM> replaced back brakes and ABS light will come on after diriving an braking a while and will shut off when I turn the car off...

[Terrytoon]

The only way to check the ABS system is with an ABS code reader such as a MAC TASKMASTER or have a shop check for ABS codes, which is a different computer in your car. Chances are the ABS sensor connectors are dirty or the ABS sensor is bad. You can clean the connector or pick up a used sensor at the junk yard for $10, depending on which side. GM wants $110 for the sensor. Your brakes will still work. You just don't have the ABS if you "panic stop".

[DAVID]

I HAVE A 2000 CAVALIER AND THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AT START-UP AND DOESNT GO OUT , I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL HUB-BEARING DUE TO OUTER TIRE WEAR, THINKING THAT THE BEARING BEING BAD CAUSED THE LIGHT TO COME ON AND THE TIRE WEAR BUT THE LIGHT REMAINS ON EVEN AFTER A NEW HUB BEARING BEING INSTALLED. ANY SUGGESTIONS?