i have a 1995 formula lt1. my "abs inop" light came on today. i restarted the car and the light turned off but came back on 20 min later. how do i fix this? is this bad?

 

Mine did the exact same thing, every time id hit the brakes firmly my abs inop light and ars off (trac control) lights would come on and wouldnt reset until i restarted the car. The issue was my electronic brake control module. Its a black box bolted to the front of the aluminum abs block under the hood. Chevrolet wants around $1300 for the part, I picked up mine from a local salvage yard for $125. Its one plug and 4 bolts to install it.

 

was ur car an lt1?

 

No but the braking systems didnt change much. Theres a code in the computer, if you want to be sure take it to the dealer and pay them an hours diagnosis time (usually about $120) and they will pull the code.

 

Check to make sure your 3rd brake light is working.

 

I have a spare abs system with all that junk if your interested.

 

check 3rd brake light that fixed mine

 

Mine always used to do this to me when it was cold out, now that its warming up it hasn't shown its ugly face.

 

same problem with mine.... problem started after my last dyno session, i double checked everything underneath my car, everything turned out fine. no messed up plugs or anything, and the light is still on!!! cant figure it out! But i shall check the third brake light, and swap the black box with my brother.

 

3rd brake light on mine did it

 

you mean the 3rd brake light on the spoiler? it comes on fine. all my brake lights come on fine. what stuff can i check?? are there any sensors or anything? if it stays on is it bad, like will me brakes mess up?

 

It just means your ABS won't work.

 

mine does the same things lately i taught it was the need of breaks so i went ahead and changed them.
buh naw that wasnt the problem.
i bleeded out my breaks wasnt that either ima agree with ANIIVSS it must be the ABS the system. its easy to take of buh really spensive for what i know i need to get mine!
if you dont know where the ABS system is under the hood its on the drivers side right next to the break fluid little tank.
and to be honest yes its bad. at times it will take it longer to stop, so mean while take it a little easy and take a few extra secs breaking.

 

I didn't notice any difference when my ABS light was on. I'm pretty sure the ABS only kicks in when you make a skidding stop.

 

Check salvage yards for the part. Personally if it was me instead of chasing the problem for months on my or paying the $120 to get the codes checked. Id go buy a brake control module from a salvage yard for $125 and if it didnt fix it, most salvage yards will usually take returns if its not damaged.

 

There's a sensor on the rear axle. If that goes bad, it will trip the abs inop light.

Brett

 

Or you could see if the dealer will scan the EBTCM and pull the ABS codes.

 

Mine came on twice. I had the ABS, E Brake and Traction light come on all at the same time. My pedal dropped all the way to the floor. It was like my ABS was kicking on 100% but on dry ground. Luckily I was going slowly through a parking lot. Anyway, I replaced my ABS module (the small box under the driver side dash). So far no problem at all. Got it special order through Advance from Borg Warner for $200.