My buddy just got a 96 cavi and it has the ABS light on! What would be the first thing to check? It does not come as a check engine code. I have never had a problem with a ABS light so i do not know where to start! Please help!
You need a scan tool, capabale of reading ABS codes. Otherwise your in the dark
- 2004 Cavalier - 124k, owned since new
well....first thing i would check are the ABS sensors. make sure they are plugged in. i had one come unclipped and threw my ABS light. they are located behind the front rotor/caliper. like shown here. its the little white tab you can kinda see between the control arm and rotor:
If the sensors are really dirty and can't read the ABS light will come on too. It happens all the time in the winter because snow gets up in there. Also, the FIRST thing you should check, is to make sure both plugs are plugged into your ABS actuator by your master cylinder. Its the block with all the metal brake lines going to it. If one of the plugs is loose, the abs light will come on and not work, there's always a small chance the person who owned it before unplugged it to disable the ABS. If both plugs are plugged in, take your car to a manual (wand) car wash, spray to crap out of all 4 sensors, shut the car off, and start it again, and if the light is still on, check the plugs at al 4 sensors, if there all plugged in, then you need to go the scan tool route. Also once the ABS light comes on, it ususally won't go off again until the car is restarted.
