ABS and SES lights on, Please Help

[Camaro 22]

Ok, my ses light has been on for the last few months after i installed my cai. The car already had a high flow cat. I have disconnected the neg battery to try to reset it, but it still doesn't go away. And now tonight my abs inop light came on. My brakes do feel sluggish to stop. I have to like hold the pedal all the way to the floor for the car to stop. Is this a sensor to let you know when you need new brake pads. I'm a little worried and hope it's nothing bad. Please help.

[rockotman]

For the SES light, go to the nearest Autozone and get them to scan it for you - they'll do if for free.

For the ABS INOP light, if it is on steady, that is just a sign that the controller has detected something wrong with the system, and that the brakes are working, but not in ABS mode. If the peday feels low, then it probably is time for pads, but that won't make the ABS light go out.

Here are the things to check if you have an ABS INOP light on steady...

Look for the obvious loose connectors from the wheel sensors to the controller unit.

Look for loose connectors at the controller unit.

Check the routing of the wires from the front wheel sensors. This wiring will lool like a verythin (~22 gauge) pair of wires, and run from the sensors to inside the engine compartment at the back of the front wheel wells, up to wiring harnesses that eventually take them to the controller unit. Often times these pairs will have what looks like metal foil arount them to act as noise shields. If these wires get too close to the spark plug wires, they will pick up noise from the spark plug wires and cause the ABS INOP light to stay on steady, usually within a few minutes or seconds after starting a drive. The easiest solution is to just move the wires away from the spark plug wires; you can hold them in place away from the spark plug wires with a 2-cent pull tie.

Check the center brake light in the back - this bulb being out will cause the ABS INOP light to come on in some cars.

Check the vacuum line to the vacuum booster on the brake system. A loose or kinked line will also sometimes cause an ABS INOP light.

All of these things that I mentioned are things that will cause the light to stay on steady. If it is flashing, something is seriously wrong, and you may want to get it to the shop ASAP.

[Camaro 22]

after looking, it don't seem like i have any brake lights. I have tail lights, but when I hit the brakes, nothing lights up. what could this be? a fuse maybe? and if so, which one? I don't have a manual or fuse cover. thank you for that great info

[PiLOTLiTE]

The SES light sounds like you might have damaged a sensor when installing the CAI. I agree, take your car to autozone for scanning, but maybe you can find something under the hood yourself first.

[kahouna23]

your problem with your SES light after installing the CAI is probably this. I installed mine and had the same problem. I came to realize that the strip of foam that you install around your airbox has to be PERFECT in order to maintain a good seal. If you have a leak in your airbox, your SES light is coming on for sure. I checked it out and sure enough, part of the foam on the back was sticking out. I replaced it so to get a good seal with the lid installed and after a few miles my light went out. It could be something as simple as that, but like someone else said, you may have forgotten to plug your IAT sensor back in. Check it out thoroughly for any air leaks. That will probably take care of your SES light.

[rockotman]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Camaro 22:
after looking, it don't seem like i have any brake lights. I have tail lights, but when I hit the brakes, nothing lights up. what could this be? a fuse maybe? and if so, which one? I don't have a manual or fuse cover. thank you for that great info<hr></blockquote>There is a fuse panel on the side of the dash inside the driver's side door. I think that is where the fuse for the brake lights is located. There are also fuse and relay boxes under the hood, on the right fender. I don't think a blown brake light fuse will cause an ABS INOP light. I know that the center light is on a different circuit than the other brake lights. Perhaps the brake light switch (under the dash, above the brake pedal) had a connection come loose. I would still check the bulb in the center light to see if it is good.

[Camaro 22]

Thanks for all your help guys. Surely enough, it was my brake light fuse blown which triggered my abs inop light to come on. Looks like I have to find an autozone now to have that ses light looked at. Thanks again.

Shawn