Question about ABS light, brake light and lifters?

[Shadowalker02]

I have two seperate problems. I have seen one of them referred to on one thread, but have yet to see the other talked about virtually at all.

I have a '95 Rodeo LS. 4 door and 4WD. it just crossed 122,000 miles.

(1) I hear the ticking when at a stop, in park or in low speeds. I have seen how people keep referring to the lifters and perhaps a buildup in the channels of the oil flow. Is there a way to fix this without taking it in to haev done? I am aware that some people have used several engine treatment products. However, is there one that someone would swear by?

(2) In no particular pattern, whether it be night or day, hot or cold etc. My ABS light and the brake light will come on. The car continues to drive fine and no one light comes on without the other. A couple of months ago, I had the rear pads and rotors changed. After that, the problem ceased for about a month. Now, it continues to do it again. Has anyone experienced this problem and if so, how did you solve it?

Any help would be appreciated. I am trying to avoid dropping a lot of $$ to get this taken care of. So, if you have any solutions, then I am all ears.


**UPDATE**

I checked the brake fluid and it is fine. The lights still come on together and when they come on, they do not go back off unless I turn the car off.

I added some oil because it was low. Although, I am changing it this week. Also, the car idles at 900 which is normal. Does anyone have a recommendation?

I believe the problems are common in Rodeo so if any of you have experience with it, I would appreciate it.

[amigo-2k]

I think the Brake and ABS light on at the same time means that your alt is on the way out. I think.....

[wb4lbg]

Don't know anything about the lifter thing but I had a similar ABS/Brake Light phenomenon on my 2000 Olds Silhouette.

When starting from a light, the BRAKE light and ABS light would both illuminate and stay on until I stopped a little shorter than normal (aggresive braking). When I investigated, I found that the brake fluid level was low so I topped it off and the problem went away. I guess there must be some sort or level switch in the master cylinder on the Olds and on acceleration the fluid would slosh to the back of the cylinder and cause the switch to fire. On a hard stop, the fluid would slosh back to front and cause the switch to go off.

It kind of makes sense that this is the way it would work since if you have no brakes, you also have no ABS.

As for why the fluid was low -- LR wheel cylinder was leaking badly, RR also was leaking but much more slowly. Two new wheel cylinders and a lacerated finger later, everything is back to normal.

Don't know if the Rodeo has similar logic but it only takes 10 seconds to lift the hood and check your brake fluid level. There is some merit to what Amigo-2K is saying about the charging system but if you have a volt meter you should be able to figure that one out pretty easily too. I think AutoZone will also check your battery/alternator for free if you stop by.

Good Luck and let us know what you find out.

JWS
99 Rodeo LSE

[2eyefishclaw]

chek your brake fluid level if it were the alt the batt light would also be on