Brake light P ! & Airbag light.
LoFaro
09-26-2013, 11:35 PM
Hello, my name is John and I am new to this forum. I bought a 1999 Chevy cavalier Z24 last week. This was my second Cavalier. My last one was a 99 too, but had 250,000 miles on it. So, I sought out to get one with less miles and bought this current one with 102,000 miles on it. My question is this, today while driving it my Brake P ! lights came on all of a sudden. There really wasn't a difference in the brake and I personally hadn't used the E brake at all. I drove it for a week before this light came on, so I don't know if it could have been the previous owner or not or what it going on. The previous owner was an older guy and a shade tree mechanic. He replaced everything on the car. On the brakes, he informed me that they'd have to be bled and these little gold rings would have to be put onto it that he hadn't put on yet. I am not very car savvy, my brother-in-law does all my car work so I have no idea what those gold rings are. But, what I want to know is what this problem could be with the brake P ! lights coming on. This car was kept in pristine condition, I live in upstate New York and there isn't a spot of rust on the entire car. The car starts without any problems, it drives very well and is the quietest car I have ever owned. I trust the guy that I bought it from and don't believe that he would knowingly sell me something that had issues. But, I am confused of what to do. The only other issue is that the airbag light is constantly on. I have no idea why. This car just passed inspected at the end of July. I know that a new after market car radio was put into the car recently, I had heard that wiring radios up wrong could sometimes be the problem with the airbag light coming on. I don't know though. Any advice with these two issues would be really appreciated! Thanks a lot for reading!
Tech II
09-27-2013, 10:01 AM
I have no idea what a Brake light P ! is.....either your amber ABS light is on, or your RED brake light is on(this will come on as a bulb check, if the brake fluid is low in the reservoir, if the E-Brake is not fully released, or it will come on in combination with the ABS light)....
So, if that red brake light is on, check your fluid level in the reservoir, and check that the e-brake switch is fully released....if the fluid level is ok, disconnect the fluid level sensor in the reservoir....if it goes out the sensor is the problem....disconnect the singe wire connector to the ebrake....if the light goes out that switch is either bad or e-brake is not releasing it....
Why do the brakes have to be bled? Gold rings? Only thing I can think of are the copper washers for the brake lines to the caliper......if your fluid level is ok, and there are no leaks, I don't understand those statements....
Was the airbag light on when you bought it? Was it on when the vehicle was inspected? If it just recently came on, then since it is on solid, a code is set.....not all code readers/scan tools can read SIR codes...they are usually "B" or body codes....
First place to start, is find what the code is that is set....has nothing to do with the radio....
So, if that red brake light is on, check your fluid level in the reservoir, and check that the e-brake switch is fully released....if the fluid level is ok, disconnect the fluid level sensor in the reservoir....if it goes out the sensor is the problem....disconnect the singe wire connector to the ebrake....if the light goes out that switch is either bad or e-brake is not releasing it....
Why do the brakes have to be bled? Gold rings? Only thing I can think of are the copper washers for the brake lines to the caliper......if your fluid level is ok, and there are no leaks, I don't understand those statements....
Was the airbag light on when you bought it? Was it on when the vehicle was inspected? If it just recently came on, then since it is on solid, a code is set.....not all code readers/scan tools can read SIR codes...they are usually "B" or body codes....
First place to start, is find what the code is that is set....has nothing to do with the radio....
Jmrec100
12-27-2013, 10:20 AM
Thanks for the reply post. I have that issue with my Cavalier. I had replaced the engine . Went to Jiffy Lube and they had disconnected my computer from the Trans Speed sensor and other things trying to sell me their fuel system service. By the time I got it home, smoked the motor. My best evaluation is that the sensor disconnect caused excess fuel, washed out the oil from the cylinders and basically wasted the # 1 cylinder. Of course, could not prove it. When I called and asked wtf were they doing. "Had to disconnect the Speed sensor to get to the oil filter. ^*@&)|$? Why didn't you put it back. blah blah. Long story, can't prove it. So stay away from them. Internet has many stories.
When I re-installed the motor and trans, ran great. But got the same lights. Had the ABS, the Brake light and the Airbag light all on. I know the rear brakes need replacing. And I'm guessing the airbag light was not plugged back in when I disconnected everything. I'll be checking the same things you posted. I had let the car sit for 7 months while looking for a replacement engine. It is my beater car for my 120+ mile round trip commutes so I was not looking to put a lot of money into it. Found a '99 Sunbird with 40,000 miles on it that had been wrecked. Bought the motor/trans for $400. $200 shipping from NY.
Anything else I can check for the same light issues?
When I re-installed the motor and trans, ran great. But got the same lights. Had the ABS, the Brake light and the Airbag light all on. I know the rear brakes need replacing. And I'm guessing the airbag light was not plugged back in when I disconnected everything. I'll be checking the same things you posted. I had let the car sit for 7 months while looking for a replacement engine. It is my beater car for my 120+ mile round trip commutes so I was not looking to put a lot of money into it. Found a '99 Sunbird with 40,000 miles on it that had been wrecked. Bought the motor/trans for $400. $200 shipping from NY.
Anything else I can check for the same light issues?
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