Brake bleeding...please help!

First off, this isn't for my car. It's for my gf's 96 Cavalier. I tried asking this in the Cavalier forum but it seems like no one wants to help. Since most/some of you probably know how to bleed ABS brakes, I'm gonna ask here. I replaced her rear shoes and front pads, along with a new rear brake line. Last night I bled the living hell out of all 4 brakes (not even thinking that she had ABS). Got it back together and went for a test drive, and there is NO pedal at all. Man was I pissed. So I remembered that she has ABS (you think I would've remembered by filling up the master cylinder repeatidly being that the ABS mechanism is attached to it). I looked all over the internet to find instructions for an ABS system. The best that I found says that for an older car like this, I can do it manually without a scan tool. It says:
"Without a scan tool, open the front bleeder screw at the modulator. There are two, so be sure you open the front one. Then bleed the modulator. Close the screw, then bleed both front brakes starting with the right one first. After checking for a firm pedal, drive the vehicle above three miles per hour. The controller will automatically reset the system by commanding the rear motor to run to the home position. Once this has occurred, you can stop the vehicle and bleed the rear brakes."

I was always told to start with the wheel farthest from the master cylinder. These instructions are saying to start with the front after bleeding the ABS. Wtf? Also, does the vehicle have to be running during the bleeding procedures? Because when I bleed my GST I have it running (because the tech book I have for my car says to leave it running and to bleed all 4 in a specific pattern that doesn't follow the farthest, to closest procedure).

If anyone could give me any help/advice that would be great.

Thanks,

Steve

Here is what I found

MANUAL BLEEDING

Remove master cylinder reservoir cover, then fill reservoir as necessary.
Attach one end of a clear plastic hose to rear bleeder valve of the brake control assembly, then put opposite end of the hose into a clean container.
While depressing brake pedal, slowly open bleeder valve, until fluid begins to flow.
Close valve and release brake pedal, then repeat procedure for front bleeder valve.
Ensure master cylinder is full, then raise and support vehicle.
Bleed wheel cylinders and calipers using the following sequence:
Right rear.
Left rear.
Right front.
Left front.
Lower vehicle and check fluid level in reservoir, fill as necessary.
Turn on ignition and note pedal travel and feel as follows:
If pedal feels firm and constant, start the engine and recheck pedal travel. If pedal still feels firm and constant, continue procedure.
If pedal feels soft or has excessive travel either initially or after engine is started, repeat bleeding procedure.
Road test vehicle, make several normal stops from a moderate speed, then make one or two ABS stops at approximately 50 mph.
Ensure pedal is still firm and constant.

PRESSURE BLEEDING

NOTE: To prevent air, moisture and other contaminants from entering system, only diaphragm type pressure bleeding equipment should be used.



Attach bleeder adapter tool No. J35589, or equivalent, to master cylinder reservoir, then the adapter tool to the pressure bleeder.
Connect a clear plastic hose to the front bleeder valve on the control assembly, then put opposite end of the hose into a clean container partially filled with brake fluid.
Set pressure bleeder to 5-10 psi and wait for approximately 30 seconds to ensure there is no leakage.
Set pressure bleed equipment to 30-35 psi.
Slowly open bleeder valve and allow fluid to flow into container until no air bubbles are seen in fluid, then close the bleeder valve and torque to 65 inch lbs.
Attach bleeder hose to rear bleeder valve of the control assembly and repeat preceding step.
Position a cloth under hydraulic brake pipe connections.
Working from front of the control assembly to the rear, slowly turn each pipe nut and check for air in escaping fluid.
When air flow ceases, torque pipe nut to 13 ft. lbs.
Raise and support vehicle, then bleed wheel cylinders and calipers using the following sequence:
Right rear.
Left rear.
Right front.
Left front.
Lower vehicle and remove bleeder adapter tool from master cylinder.
Check fluid level in reservoir, fill as necessary.
Turn ignition switch to On position and note pedal travel and feel as follows:
If pedal feels firm and constant, start the engine and recheck pedal travel. If pedal still feels firm and constant, continue procedure.
If pedal feels soft or has excessive travel either initially or after engine is started, repeat bleeding procedure.
Road test vehicle, make several normal stops from a moderate speed, then make one or two ABS stops at approximately 50 mph.
Ensure pedal is still firm and constant.

Do old school way, 2 people bleed, let your girl pump the brake and you open the bleeder :wink: .