89 SSE brake problem

I have a 1989 SSE bonnie, when I bought it the guy said there was something wrong with the brakes. When the car is running the pedal is solid, it hardly stops the car you have to push really hard on it. The brake warning light and ABS lights are both on. I was thinking either master cylinder or booster. Does anyone have another idea of what could be causing this. Thanks for your time

This sounds like a master cylinder problem to me. If the brake light is on then that indicates that either the front or rear brakes are not functioning due to a loss of fluid or pressure on one side of the brake light switch. Check and make sure you don't have a leaking wheel cylinder or a broken line before attempting other repairs. I would not drive it until it is repaired.

My 90 has the Teves braking system and I think yours should too. This is not a vacuum assisted system but electro-mechanical instead. There is a pump which is run by a relay to build pressure into the accumulator. A stiff pedal means no pressure. Along with checking the above, make sure the fuse and relay are good and the pump is functioning (you should hear a buzzing sound coming from the master cylinder area when you turn the ignition on as pressure builds). The accumulator, from what i understand, has a lifespan of about 10 years. It's that "globe" looking thing on the side of your master cylinder. I'm not quite sure how to test it to verify that it is definately the problem. I'm going to be replacing mine very soon due to some sub-standard braking performance. Hopefully that will cure the problem.

They are about $100 from www.gmpartsdirect.com and the installation was described to me as "... as simple as changing an oil filter."

Thanks for the ideas I'm gonna work on it tomorrow and I post and let ya know if it works.(By it I mean checking for leaks and all my lines, also checking if the pump is "buzzing" or not.)

One more thing....any idea what fuse number is for the brake relay? Thanks again

Fuse 9 (10 amp) is the pump fuse in my 90. If you have the owner's manual, verify by looking for EBS Pump or something close to that.