1996 Century 3.1 ABS brake diagnosis

[Shrewz92]

Are there any tricks that one can use to diagnose an ABS dash light that is on? On some vehicles, one can trip codes to flash on a dash light, usually the Check Engine light. Does Buick have such a thing related to ABS diagnosis?

[C man]

The only way you would get a code out of the ABS is with a scan tool with ABS capabilities such as a Tech II. You could get info from ALL DATA to be able to check the ABS System, such as an internal short within the pump or bad pickup sensor, with a ohmmeter. This link isn't for this particular model but gives you an idea
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...d.php?t=919080

But I would solve your Speedometer problem first because this may be related. Did the ABS light come on when the Speedo started to have fluctuations in the speed reading?

[Shrewz92]

I can't pin-point the time it came on, as the light was on when I purchased it from my aunt. When I test drove it, it was on when I started it. I shut it down after the drive, then started 2nd time to move it to better location at her place, and it was off. I picked it up a month later, and it was on constantly. She said she'd had some brake work done after I'd test driven it. The speedometer was off from the time I picked it up from her.

[richtazz]

Since the ABS light is intermittent, I agree that you need to figure out what's causing the speedometer issue before the ABS can be figured out.

[Shrewz92]

Would TOO much brake fluid in the reservoir cause an ABS light? it seems that there's fluid up to the bottom of the neck of the fill tube.

[richtazz]

no, overfilling the master cylinder would not trip an ABS light.

[Shrewz92]

I'm about 2 weeks overdue in updating those of you who responded to my question about the ABS light. As posted Many times in here, I took it to my trusted mechanics. They put the major sensor detector on it and $60.00 later, found that the left front (driver's side) sensor was showing Zero speed. Up on the lift and with the wheel off, they said they found the pig-tail/wiring for the sensor all electrical-taped up, and they could be chasing a short for a couple of more hours, or it could be a replacement of the wheel bearing @ $306, tax included. Yikes! since the brakes work well without the ABS, and the main system, computer and etc., were reading ok, I'll leave it as it is (I'd never had an ABS equipped car before, so it doesn't bother me not having it). OK, now, Friends: Is it typical to see the wheel bearing speed sensor wires taped up from the hole in the wheel well down to approx 2" above the sensor plug-in? I've not chased that rabbit, yet, but wonder if that's a factory-thing, all the wheel-bearing speed sensor wires on all the wheels taped from where they exit the chassis to the sensor plugs?

[stripe]

Originally Posted by Shrewz92

I'm about 2 weeks overdue in updating those of you who responded to my question about the ABS light. As posted Many times in here, I took it to my trusted mechanics. They put the major sensor detector on it and $60.00 later, found that the left front (driver's side) sensor was showing Zero speed. Up on the lift and with the wheel off, they said they found the pig-tail/wiring for the sensor all electrical-taped up, and they could be chasing a short for a couple of more hours, or it could be a replacement of the wheel bearing @ $306, tax included. Yikes! since the brakes work well without the ABS, and the main system, computer and etc., were reading ok, I'll leave it as it is (I'd never had an ABS equipped car before, so it doesn't bother me not having it). OK, now, Friends: Is it typical to see the wheel bearing speed sensor wires taped up from the hole in the wheel well down to approx 2" above the sensor plug-in? I've not chased that rabbit, yet, but wonder if that's a factory-thing, all the wheel-bearing speed sensor wires on all the wheels taped from where they exit the chassis to the sensor plugs?

I only know that the wheel bearing can cause the light to come on.
There is a wire to sense the speed.
Cheep bearing short life.
I had a case where the wire had melted a bit and needed change.
The wire was 98$ wow
If you can use the middle price bearing as it lasts a long time.

Cheers

Stripe

[Shrewz92]

Stripe, So, how about the taped pig-tail from chassis to sensor? Is that common on all Centuries, or is it just mine, indicating that someone had worked on it in the past and jury-rigged the wires?

Re: melted wire: Where did that run to be melted? Was it close to the exhaust or did it rub against a disk or drum?