I have 1996 Chevy Cavalier. ABS light is on. Is it safe to drive?

Question

I had to make a rather harsh sudden brake about a month ago and the ABS light has been on since about then. The car is also pretty difficult to brake and accelerate and shakes a little bit sometimes. It's got about 140,000 miles on it.

Do you think its on its last legs or is this something that can be fixed? And if so, would it be very expensive?

Answer 1

it may just be that the sensors are blocked, and this is causing the abs lights to remain on, try jet washing under the wheels as that may clean them, you will still have working brakes but the abs won't activate.As for the performance i would try a full service.

Answer 2

There are two warning lights for the brakes on this car. The red one is for hydraulic problems detected in the brakes or serious faults detected in the ABS part of the brakes. The other one, yellow or orange, is only for a warning that the ABS module has detected a problem in the electronics or the sensors for just the ABS and therefore it just usually disables the ABS portion of the brakes. It sounds as if the yellow one is on so the car can be driven safely as far as having brakes, but you should be aware the stopping ability of the car is now reduced. These are fairly simple systems and the most often cause of this light coming on is a broken or corroded wiring harness to one of the wheel speed sensors. You will have to get the system scanned to find out the code and then look at that particular circuit to locate the problem. It sounds like you also have some brake pulsations. That is a mechanical problem with the brakes rotors or drums out of round so a separate issue which usually means brakes are worn out and a resurfacing or component replacement coming up. All these added up could cost quite a bit. Good luck.

Answer 3

Cavalier 1996

Answer 4

Generally, driving with the ABS light on will not be a real safety concern, as the mechanical portion of the brakes are still working normally, but your ABS system is shut down. There are situations, however, depending on the ABS problem, that it cause problems with the actual braking of the car. You should have it looked at, but this isn't the type of issure that you should scrap the car over, in my opinion.

Answer 5

Was light on before due to low oils levels, if so may reset itself within 15 miles or so of driving, or reset by taking off the battery cables for a minute and rehook up, but do a fluild check before driving to ensure nothing is leaking out and low and that caps are snug Another thing check the gas cap if not fully seated light will come on, it is usually the first check I make if the light is on, a hole it the gas line tank will also cause to come on If misfiring the light will check engine light will flash and should not be driven other than to the very nearest service station if a short distance awayu, solid light you can drive a bit but should take in to have checked out soon The car manual will have a little bit of info on the check engine light, though not much unfortanately about causes

Answer 6

You can drive it normaly, but remind you cant t break normaly when you run the car over 60 km/h... Actually I have the same problem and in my case is the ABS Module... it s broke, im looking for a new one in the states; hope to find it.

Answer 7

I have a 2004 chevy silverado the ABS light has been on for 3 years and 135,000 miles. just learn to love it.

Answer 8

Bobsled's right, you've probably got air in the lines, could need a fluid change too! could also need adjustment to rear brakes, do you use E-brake when you park? it resets the rear brakes when you do.

Answer 9

check your fluid level some time that triggers the light on if fluid is low most likey your brakes are to

Answer 10

Take it to a shop and get an estimate...you have already answered your own question.....if it is difficult to brake, what do you do if you are in an emergency situation????