93 regal ABS/BRAKE warning light + alternator "gauges" light

[noclues]

it's that time of the year again when batteries are failing and "charging" lights go off. so here's my problem:

my 93 regal wasnt used for about 3-4 weeks around thanksgiving. the battery was completely dead and i had to jumpstart (multiple times) and drive the car around to attempt to re-charge it. all this time i got intermittent "check gauges" (charging light coming directly from the alternator).

my ABS light has been on for years without issues - so i dont care about that.

however after one of the jumpstarts my BRAKE warning light went off too. at first i thought i accidentally hit the parking brake - so i disconnected that switch but it stayed on. also when i start the car it turns on then off then on again (and stays on) so i'm assuming it's the EBCM (parking brake or fluid sensor would just keep the light on).

so i went on to address the issues. first i got a new alternator for the "gauges/charging" light but the light still comes on from time to time. the difference between alternator positive and battery positive is about 0.8volts (with the light on). at the battery i measure about 13.98-14.01 volts during this time. when the "gauges" light is off the battery has 14.5-14.7 (which is normal). all measurements were done without anything on (lights, radio, etc). however now the battery charges and i do not need to jumpstart it anymore.

i also changed the calipers on the rear to fix my brakes (they didnt hold at all on the rear - only the front ones were working).

next steps i'm planning:
* check the ABS relays/fuses for corrosion
* check the positive/negative ABS compared to the battery
* i've seen smth called "fusible link" on the schematics between the alternator and the solenoid/battery - must check that

as far as i see it, the BRAKE light comes on only when the parking brake is set, when the brake liquid is too low (and its not) or when the EBCM module sets it (ABS issue).

now i have some questions:
1.where do i find fusible links (to replace a potentially broken one between the alternator and the solenoid). also how do i easily replace it?
2.if i disconnect the ABS module completely by pulling the ABS fuses/relay will that do anything to the normal (hydraulic) brakes? the BRAKE light should still come on when the fluid is low or when the parking brake is on.
3.i know there is no "H" pin on the ALDL connector on my 93 regal (so no ABS flash codes). is there a tool that i can loan from murrays/autozone, etc that can read the ABS codes or is one of these stores offering to test for free? i dont want to spend big bucks on dealer, just curious about the error.

any other suggestions?

thanks!

EDIT: my goal is to get the brake light off, i do not care about fixing the ABS.

[richtazz]

Fuseable links will not cause charging problems. They are a smaller guage wire (usually of aluminum) that is designed to burn out before the rest of the harness it protects so if there is a dead short, you can find the burnt spot. Once a fuseable link goes, all power to that harness will be dead.

I would have the battery load tested. It sounds like you have a bad cell or loose/broken side post. This is causing an intermittent charging issue.

The ABS codes are going to require a type of scan tool that AZ and Advance don't have (like a GM tech-1 or Snap-on Mt-2500). Your best bet there is to take it somewhere with an ABS capable scan tool so as not to guess at your problem.

The red "brake light" is totally independent of the ABS system (it has it's own amber warning light). The red brake light comes on when the parking brake is left on, the fluid level is low, or there is a hydraulic failure in the brake system. Have you noticed the brake fluid level dropping? Is the fluid level sensor in the master cylinder all gunked up?

[noclues]

well the red brake light turned off a few days ago. i still think it was from the ABS and it fixed itself.
the brake fluid level is constant and has always been almost the same (had to refill a tiny bit as brakes wear off and take out for new pads). not sure how to check on the fluid sensor - it's inside the brake tank. is there a way to take it out without needing to drain fluid? (i assume not)
the battery was load tested by a garage and they told me it was OK. the car starts fine now. and i did clean the posts and connectors. i guess i'll have to take a trip to autozone for the free testing.

[noclues]

i think ppl may find this topic related/useful

http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...ht=brake+light