98 chevy malibu ABS dash light is lit up.?

Question

122500 miles

light came on for 1 - 2 hours about 2 months ago, but now (for about 3 days) it stays on.

I can't notice a difference in the performance of the breaks. There doesn't seem to be a problem.
I don't really want to take the chance and test them on the highway.

Is this just a needed checkup or should I actually be concerned

hmmmm. well damn. sounds like I'm going to be paying out my nose huh

Answer 1

what this means is the ABS computer is seeing a problem with a sensor, morethanlikely it's a wheel sensor.
the performance of your brakes will be exactly the same.
If you need to slam on your brakes, the ABS computer won't be able to see what one wheel is doing and probably won't engage, so it'll be like having a car w/out it.

Honestly, I don't mess with ABS, and I would take the car to the dealer, and it really truely pains me to say that.
OR find a shop that knows how to work on ABS systems and has an OBD-II ABS scanner.

Answer 2

From what I can gather form your question and statements your brake light comes on sometimes and sometimes your ABS and brake light comes on. So, if this is the case, there is a problem with your braking system. When you brake light comes on, this indicates a problem found in the braking sys. Most of the time its something little. But when your ABS and Brake light comes on this normally mean there is complete system failure between the ABS braking module and the computer. I can never remember the abbreviation but its something like ETBM or something like that. The only way your going to find out whats wrong is if you take it to a dealer or a place that has a computer to check the ABS sys. It also could be a wheel speed sensor bad. I also have seen dirt around the sensor do this too. Good Luck.

Answer 3

98 Chevrolet Malibu

Answer 4

Well, I learned there was a defect in the lighting of the 98 Chevy Malibu. You will have to get it checked out to be fixed. The Chevy people know exactly what to do. Unfortunately, it happens every two years and it costs $200 dollars to get it fixed each time. Two of my good friends have the same car and every two years, they have to get them fixed because of faulty lighting. One of my friends waited a few weeks before going and his car was fine. However, I would take it to the Chevy dealership and ask them just to be safe. Sorry about that.

Answer 5

in brief whenever you have an indicator lite that comes on it should a concern especially if its in your breaking system
there is a sensor in the reservoir that indicates low brake fluid you can clear the lite probably by adding fluid, but question is why do you need to ad fluid
it may be that brakes have worn to the point that the piston in the brake caliber has travel out far to use the needed amt of fluid
the brakes have perhaps lots of life left have it check ASAP

Answer 6

the abs light won't affect your braking until you do a hard or emergency stop then it will lock up the tires and may cause the car to skid... could be caused by many things... best bet is to get it checked out and go from there

Answer 7

when that happened to my car, it was a weak battery. ABS works off electrical impulses, takes a good steady charge. My speedo started going wacky also. Have you battery checked, its a start. (solved mine anyway) good luck.

Your brakes should still work, just not pulse under hard braking, stopping "skidding".

Answer 8

thats too long for a chevy, it should be buried already!

Answer 9

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