clicking brakes

[jaaron7]

2000 Lumina, 107k miles. Recently my brakes started clicking when coming to a stop or slowing significantly. The clicking has no pattern or rhythm, it's completely random: click ... clickclickclick .... clickclick .... .... click! ... clickclick ... etc. When it clicks, the pedal pulses and all the electrical dims slightly (headlights, dash, a/c fan, etc.). It does seem my stopping distance has suffered a little since this started.

ABS is still functioning normally (as tested on a gravel road). The ABS light isn't on, the Brake light isn't on, and the Low Traction light isn't coming on in normal stops either (but does come on when it should).

I just replaced pads recently (a little more than 1000 miles ago). Rotors are fine. I've already checked and the new pads are are secure and not moving around, and the callipers are secure.

I've thought it might be a wheel sensor or CV joint, but wouldn't that trigger Low Traction or ABS lights? Or if it were the CV joint itself, wouldn't I hear some clicking when accelerating too? And anything purely mechanical doesn't seem to explain the lights dimming.

The clicking sounds to me like a solenoid or a relay, and the accompanying electrical dimming might support that thought. I've found a guide for replacing "ABS Hydraulic Modulator Solenoid" on AutoZone, and it seems a likely candidate, but I've not been able to find a replacement part (or indeed any other mention of this part) anywhere.

If I pull the ABS fuse do I lose power brake assist?

I'm completely stumped. Anyone have any ideas at all?

[maxwedge]

From here we cannot really diagnose this, pull the abs fuse abd see what happens, it will not affect your regular brakes.