94 pontaic grand am se another problem

[dbenson77]

I went out and got new rotors for my front and the rear wheels are good to go. Now I have the battery light and the ABS light that stays on like a light house. I looked at the battery and it seems that the battery was installed March of 2001. So with that in mind I will be replacing the battery, but what could be the problem that the ABS? Once again thanks in advance.

[matt919]

make sure that both wheel sensors on the front wheels are plugged in.. its pretty easy to locate. just your average plug... if someone/you forgot to plug them or one of them in, it will make the light come on. or maybe just one is bad.... just an idea.

[GTP Dad]

If the battery light is on you need to check the alternator as it may not be putting out adequate voltage. Usually the battery light indicates a low voltage condition generated not by the battery but the alternator. If the battery is 4 years old it probably needs replaced anyway but if you don't fix the alternator problem then you will drain it rapidly. As far as the ABS light the low battery/alternator problem is probably causing the light to activate. Because the ABS computer needs more than battery voltage once you fix the alternator the ABS light should go off on its own.

[Hoags]

GPT Dad, That is a great bit of information, I would never thought that the ABS system would need more power than that supplied by the battery, I can now see how the low battery would cause the system to fail. Are there any other systems in particular that you know of that would also act in a simular way? shcu as the air bags?

[dbenson77]

Thank you, so much i'm getting it checked out tomorrow.

[Chameleon-kat]

I wish the battery light had come on a few days ago, I would have known sooner about alternater having troubles. In my case just the abs light came on initialy, then a few milles down the road air bag light came on. Then radio quit. Tried to limp it home but nooooooooooo. Dern thing quit and wouldn't re-fire, 3 mile walk home in single digit temps to get another vehicle. Not nice.

[GTP Dad]

The battery is responsible for three functions, starting the car, maintaining systems when the vehicle is turned off and powering accessories such as the radio and lights. The other more complicated systems such as ABS and Air Bags require optimal voltate to run properly. A fully charged battery will operate the systems properly for a short time but when battery voltage drops below 12 volts these systems will not work properly and will usually give you a light indicating that the systems are shutting down. I hope this answers your question.

[dbenson77]

Hello everyone, it seems that it was my alternator. It was at 12 volts but needs to be at 14 volts.