ABS light on my Grand Am

[darkred87T]

Figured I would try here first. The ABS light came on in my 2001 Grand Am the other day along with "Service Vehicle Soon" and "trac off'. It happened when I was going up hill in the ice. Maybe I overloaded it?
Anyhow, my brother (TurboJimmy) has an OBDII scan tool. We tried it and it didn't bring up any codes. I'm guessing it's only designed to detect emissions codes.

Does anyone know how I can find out what's going on with it before I have to take it somewhere? Thanks in advance,

Mike

 

[GNeric]

Usually the Check Engine light will turn on the VSC, ABS, and Traction Control to let you know those systems have been deactivated when the CE light comes on. Not necessarily a problem with the 3 other systems but that they are off since the CE light is showing a problem. Do check for Pxxx codes and also check to make sure no vacuum lines are loose or gas cap loose. Happens on the Toyotas all the time. Especially after someone gasses up and the first time it does it's vacuum test on the canister and tank overnight.

 

[darkred87T]

Thanks. It's actually the "Service Vehicle Soon" light that came on with "ABS" and "Trac Off" as oppsosed to "Service Engine Soon" which comes on when my gas cap isn't tight. I think if it was the SES light, a regular OBDII scan tool would be able to pick up the code. Do I need a special type of scan tool?

I think it's designed that way on purpose so I'm forced to take it to the dealer.

 

[jasjamz]

Do a visual inspection of the ABS sensor wires. If they break off near the hub you lose the wheel speed signal and it triggers the TC and ABS and maybe even the SES light.

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Actron makes an ABS scanner tool that you can get for around $150 or so. Will work on the Grand Ams but NOT on Grand Prix's, ask me how I know. Have the same problem with our 98 Grand Prix GT and have brought it to two garages and neither could figure it out. Have already replaced the front hub assemblies since they were loose and hoping that it would fix things but no luck. All wires/connections are good.

 

[SilverSleeper]

Same thing happened to a friend of mine at work, on her Impala. Happened just the way yours did. She took it into a local garage, (many have the ABS scanner) and they told her it was the right front wheel sensor. If one of the wheel speed sensors goes out, it will deactivate the trac control and ABS, since it can't read the input correctly.
Other than having someone scan it, you can check the sensor wires to make sure they aren't severed, and that they are all in place and dont have junk blocking the sensor from reading the ring on the hub. I've seen a couple times where the sensor had some dirt lodged up in there, and soon as well cleaned it all out, it was back to normal.

 

[darkred87T]

Thanks, I'll have to look under it. I'm glad there is a scan tool out there that can tell which sensor it is. If I can't find anything it might be worth taking it to the stealer.