Brake Fluid flush with ABS?

[MallocArray]

My 2004 Grand Am has 115K on it and I'm wanting to do a flush of the brake fluid for maintenance. I have a brake bleeder already, but some places I've looked at talk about how the anti-lock systems can cause a lot of headache when changing fluid. I have a Haynes manual for a 2000 Impala that has been useful for other things on my GrandAm (since there isn't one for the 2004 Grand Am apparently) and it just mentioned turning the car off and on a few times to make sure the ABS light goes out and then you are good to go with the fluid change. Should I expect my GrandAm to be the same or is it more complicated? Or should I just take it to a shop for $70-$100?

[GTP Dad]

You shouldn't have any issues bleeding the brakes to do your fluid change with the ABS in your Grand Am. Just bleed them as you normally would just make sure to keep the master cylinder full of fluid or you will have issues.

[danielsatur]

1) You can pull 1/4 of the fluid out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster.
2) Top off the master cylinder with fresh fluid.
3) Start the bleeding process from the RR, LR, RF, than LF.

Don't go to the next wheel until you get fresh fluid, and always make sure the master cylinder is full.

[MallocArray]

Originally Posted by danielsatur

1) You can pull 1/4 of the fluid out of the master cylinder with a turkey baster.
2) Top off the master cylinder with fresh fluid.
3) Start the bleeding process from the RR, LR, RF, than LF.

Don't go to the next wheel until you get fresh fluid, and always make sure the master cylinder is full.

Thanks. That was my plan. I found some posts that talked about needing a special tool to open the ABS to allow fluid out, others that talked about pressurizing and then turning off the car and opening the valves to let the pressure out. But it sounds like all of that will not be necessary.

[thephantom1492]

The special tools is needed for a complete and total fluid replacement. You will flush the brake system, but not the ABS part (pump, solenoids and alike). But that is ok, unless you have contaminated the oil with something else. Moisture will be normally fine with that procedure, the remaining will be too diluted... but if you contaminated it with something bad... you would need a special scantool to have the abs solenoid and pump activate to do a full flush.

[williz57]

There is no special attention needed reguarding the ABS and you would be wise not to fool around with the ABS valve.

Actually you can remove the entire reservoir & drain & clean it, There will still be fluid covering the piston in the master and the you can bleed then diagonally.

rt ft-lf rr. is one half, lf ft-rt rr the other half, Gravity bleed will take about an hour of relaxation baby sitting the reservoir level.

The fluid bypasses the through ABS valve & the residual ABS fluid will eventually blend-in/exchange with fresh fluid. Its a very small amount.