1996 Oldsmobile Ciera - Red Brake Light On

[Keiths1976]

Since a 96 and obd2 u should be able to read the abs code . I wouldn?t cheap out I picked up timken wheel bearings few years back . I have one gm stock wheel bearing that was fine with 199k on it I only changed to the timken cause I was doing brakes and already had half apart so I did . To be on the safe side check your wiring that goes to the abs wheel speed sensors to make sure my accident it was snacked or cut moving the caliper around

[Slacker]

Thanks. I'll double check the wiring when I take the wheels off to get the tires replaced.

My code reader can only read engine codes, not the ABS codes. Is there a way to check them without the scan tool, like you could with ODB-1 and a paper clip or something?

[Keiths1976]

No honestly a better scanner can get into the pcm the wiring is all on the data link under the drivers side and abs wire is there as well . Some scanners can access it some can?t pending what they can read obd 1 cars a-body 94-5 were not paper clip methods even obd1 and needed a scanner to read anything . But I feel you are on a direction with the brake light but first thing is the abs code . When I said with the fuse u hard reset the system and it will self prime . Also there is 2 ground wiring on the drivers side near the battery on the radiator support . If that is corroded any way on the black wires u could be having a ground short abs abs light brake light is on . . It?s hard to do any real testing with out a scanner on obd2 . Here is one more thing for the 96 I had my 95 have bad third brake light bulbs would throw the abs light on too I think we covered the brake lights earlier on this chat not sure I mentioned the third brake light . Just pray man it?s not the abs master cylinder assembly having a major issue . That would show up on the scanner as a failure . Only junk yard 95-6 cars u have to take one off there is no new anymore that I heard of nor 400 bucks either

[Slacker]

I double checked the 3rd brake lights. All are in working order. I also checked the ground by battery, those all look good as well. I re-bled the brakes again and the pedal feel is now completely firm while driving.

My friend had a code reader that says it can read ABS codes, but when we tried to connect it, it just kept failing to connect to the ABS module.

At this point, I decided to bring it to my mechanic and see what he thought. He confirmed the brakes are completely fine. Double checked the master cylinder and the ebrake. Both also were in order. His scan tool was able to connect to the ABS module and it light up with at least 10 different error messages. He concluded the same as you that the ABS module has most likely gone bad and is causing the red brake light to illuminate as well. Seeing that the car is over 25 years old, it passed the safety inspection and I can pretty much just ignore the warning lights if I want and live without ABS.

I guess that brings this to a close for now as the ABS module, like you said, is expensive and I probably won't be able to any time soon. Thanks for all the help.

I also noticed a blown fusible link, but I'll make a separate thread about that.

[Keiths1976]

Here is what I would do for the last hoorah pop those wires off near the battery on the radiator support sand them bare on the Metal and sand down the wire clamp thats round . Put some electric grease on it and re tighten . You will never find another one but a junk yard one which is a gamble brakes will work fine regardless