ABS & TCS lights on. Brake switch problem !?

[TheM3Guy]

I have a 98 Silhouette extended cab and few weeks ago after I had driven the van in the rain ( and everything was fine ), I locked the vehicle as always left it parked for about 4-5 hours. When I got back and sat in the vehicle again, the smell of burned plastic was so strong that I had to air it out before driving it. For the next couple of weekd the smell kept coming back once in a while. I never found out what caused the smell but recently the ABS and TCS lights started coming on. I checked both taillights as suggested here but both look fine. I have read about a break switch that cuases the same issue but have no idea where that switch is located so I can check if it is OK. Could anyone tell me where to look for that brake switch !

Thanks in advance

[maxwedge]

Ok, new thread, see my answer in the original one. we will continue as necessary on this one.

[TheM3Guy]

Thanks a lot for your help !

['97ventureowner]

Originally Posted by TheM3Guy

I have a 98 Silhouette extended cab and few weeks ago after I had driven the van in the rain ( and everything was fine ), I locked the vehicle as always left it parked for about 4-5 hours. When I got back and sat in the vehicle again, the smell of burned plastic was so strong that I had to air it out before driving it. For the next couple of weekd the smell kept coming back once in a while. I never found out what caused the smell but recently the ABS and TCS lights started coming on. I checked both taillights as suggested here but both look fine.
Thanks in advance

Did you thoroughly check the taillights, and by that I mean the circuit boards, and not just to see if the lights light up? A big design problem with these vans allows water to trickle down into the taillights and cause the circuit boards to melt. You said you drove in the rain, and then smelled burnt plastic, so my first impression was re-check the circuit boards. I had problems with both of my Venture vans, (sisters to the Silhouette,) and while I had problems with the circuit boards, my ABS/TCS light was illuminated on my dash. Once I fixed the problem with the circuit boards, (replacing them, ) the light went out. If you have to replace the boards, it is a good idea to seal the area off with something ,(i.e. caulk or other weatherproof sealant) to keep water out and future problems. One other issue I discovered about these boards when they go bad is that you also lose your cruise control. Does your cruise control still work while your ABS/TCS light is on? Again, replacing the boards also solved that problem and my cruise control was operable again.

[TheM3Guy]

Thanks for the quick reply '97ventureowner ,
I did open the taillights and took the whole circuit board out ( for both sides ) but both of them looked like new, no signs of water or anything melted or burned. Is there anything specific that I should look for if I take them out again ?
And yes the cruise control does work.
Also the smell was so strong that I had the feeling it was something closer to the front of the vehicle ( may be the engine compartment or even inside the vehicle. Few people complained that the misterious brake switch has done the shortage and replacing it has fixed the problems. I read a venture owner's post that there is a brake switch under the brake pedal, I am not sure if this is the brake switch the other people were talking about but I will check if the one under the brake pedal is OK

Thanks vbmenu_register("postmenu_5032451", true);

[TheM3Guy]

Yesterday I found out that the side mirrors don't work and I opened the door pannerlwith the mirror switch ( the joystick ) to find out that the switch was partially melted. And when I tried disconecting it it started smoking again. Now I am almost convinced that this is where the smell was coming from but even after disconecting the switch the ABS and TSC ligths still come on. I have noticed that normally first I get the "Low Traction" light on couple of times and shortly after that the ABS and TSC lights come on.