94 cavalier 2.4l abs light battery drain

[bwhuot2]

Whenever the ABS lights come on the battery will become depleted and the car won't start. I suspect the alternator, but shouldn't the battery light come on if that's the case? I was told by a department store mechanic that it's prob the brake fluid being low. Does this make sense?

[perna00]

the actual brake light will come on if your fluid is low. the only way the abs light will come on is if the sensor are bad or there is a problem in your abs system. from the fact that your battery is going dead, i would guess that something is shorting out in your abs system and is disabling the system (causing your abs light to show) and drawing all battery's power through the short killing it.

[Appleton]

Your alternator voltage regulator is probably the source of the problem, or you have a loose connection to your battery -- I'd suggest buying a new alternator. Had a similar problem recently. Some auto parts stores will test your alternator for free if you bring it in. The battery light may not necessarily come on FYI.

[bwhuot2]

It was the alternator. I used a multimeter and the voltage when the engine running was 12 volts the same with the engine off.