1990 camry antilock problems

forum members,

i have a 1990 camry (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2302663#), recently purchased for around 1400 dollars, decent condition.

the antilock brakes somehow have turned on (the "antilock " is blinking. how do you suggest i turn it off/ reset it.? the manual mentions taking the car to the dealership (http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2302663#). i called up and they said they would charge 100 bucks just to diagnose the problem!!!!

help is greatly appreciated.

thanks,

leroy

The most common cause for the blinking warning light is a bad connection to one of the sensors, or a bad sensor. Check the connections. If that doesn't fix it, find a set of sensors at a salvage yard and see if you are lucky that day. Maybe you can guess which is the bad sensor by its appearance (damage).

Good luck.

Couple of good info sources:

> Your factory service manual in the "Factory Service Manuals" thread at the top of the forum.

> http://www.autozone.com/az/cds/en_us/0900823d/80/13/fa/70/0900823d8013fa70/repairInfoPages.htm Click on the headings on the right. Click on diagrams to blow them up.

thank you so much for the replies and the URLs.

One of my 'knowledgable' friends took a look and said that at least a part of the problem lies with the brake fluid draining out. When I poked around further, both the brake fluid and power steering fluids seemed to have drained out. Any ideas as to how to identify the possible leak and get it fixed? Can this be even fixed without a mechanic.

regards
leroy

Typically, leaking brake fluid (looks like a dark oily stain on the inside of the tires, streaking out from the hub radially) comes from a worn out brake piston or brake hose and can be easily replaced. Oily stains on the inner fender underneath the reservoir point to a worn master cylinder. If the leak is not obvious, it may be from the brake booster (big black circular thing behind the reservoir next to the firewall) or from a brake line.

Small steering rack leaks MIGHT be plugged with Stop-Leak types of fluid...actually worked for me. But no guarantees. Replacing the rack can be a bear from past forum postings, but not impossible.