Computer problem
2000 Buick Regal 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 44,000 miles

Started up car one day & the following lights came on:

Service Vehicle (Not Engine) soon
Antilock Brakes
TRAC OFF

Took car to neighborhood mechanic, he got No codes for it.

Found right front cornering light was out, put in a new bulb but it wouldn't come on. He said take it to dealer!

After about 6 hours, the cornering light did work but the 3 dash lights are still on.

I hate to take it to dealer cause money is really tight right now, but would really like to get this fixed.
If I can take it back to mechanic with solution, he can do it for a lot less than dealer!!

Thank you a bunch!!
Sincerely,
Sue

Hi Sue:
I wish I had a magic answer, but there really isn't one. It most likely has to deal with a sensor (abs) but I can't guarantee that. It will need to be seen by a mechanic that can go through several diagnostic procedures to pinpoint the problem. Are there any other shops that you can trust to look at it other than a dealer?

Joe

The cornering light problem is probably a bad socket.

The ABS and Trac Off lights are probably due to a fault with one of the front wheel speed sensors or wiring to the sensor. The wiring is prone to breaking inside the wire insulation near the lower control arms.

Jacobandnickolas wrote:

Hi Sue: I wish I had a magic answer, but there really isn't one. It most likely has to deal with a sensor (abs) but I can't guarantee that. It will need to be seen by a mechanic that can go through several diagnostic procedures to pinpoint the problem. Are there any other shops that you can trust to look at it other than a dealer? Joe

Joe,

No other shops besides one I took it to originally.
see my reply to dennyp please.

Thank you!
Sue

dennyp wrote:

The ABS and Trac Off lights are probably due to a fault with one of the front wheel speed sensors or wiring to the sensor. The wiring is prone to breaking inside the wire insulation near the lower control arms.

dennyp,

I had to go to the doctor today and passed by a Chevy Dealership, so on the way back out I stopped in and talked to the Service Director.

He said that the OBD computer would NOT have any codes cause in 'older' GM cars there are a couple of different control modules that monitor different things and brakes are one of them. He said there is a PCM? that needs to be be read and you need a special reader for that and it would give brake codes.
He said they 'only' charge $95.00 labor an hour.
Of course he didn't say how many hours it would take -- yikes!!!

He also said that there is no GM car that because of a bad light (or socket), that it would trigger a dash warning light, IE: the Service Vehicle Soon light!

So I assume that that warning light is also associated with the ABS & TRAC OFF lights?

My neighbor, who I was talking to when I got home said that he could look at the brakes and wiring, says he used to be an old 'shade tree' mechanic - whatever that means.

But he wants to know how would he actually be able to test the speed sensors to see if they are bad?

And could he use a continuity (volt meter) tester to check the wiring, but where would the 2 points of connection be on the wire for continuity?

Funny thing about the cornering light -- it works fine now!??? maybe was just loose? He said he would look at the socket anyway.

Thanks sooo much for your answer -- I anxiously await your response!

Sue

I am a GM Master Certified Tech. I am also a certified service writer and parts specialist. The individual you talked to at the dealer must be new at his job or just doesn't care about his customers. The service vehicle soon lamp is different from the service engine soon lamp. The service vehicle soon lamp will come on if there is a fault in the lighting system.(headlamp,brake lamp,marker lamp, and so on) The EBCM will store DTC's for the ABS. Sometimes the codes will reset when the fault no longer exists.(when problem is gone, no code is present.) You can take the vehicle to Autozone, and they will scan for codes free of charge. Their equipment isn't as good as the dealer's, but it might tell us something.

xTooltipElement
Service Information
2000 Buick Regal | Century, Regal (VIN W) Service Manual | Brakes | Preliminary Information | Document ID: 1972678
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#PIC4511: ABS Indicator On Intermittently - keywords brake DTC inr intermittent sensor wire - (May 17, 2007)


Subject: ABS indicator on intermittently


Models: 2000-2001 Chevrolet Impala/Monte Carlo

2000-2001 Buick Regal/Century

2000-2001 Pontiac Grand Prix

2000-2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue




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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in this PI.

Condition/Concern:
Some customers may comment on an Intermittent ABS light coming on.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Possible chafe to abs harness at the trunk pass-through cover just forward of the spare tire stowage. Inspect wire, including checking for water intrusion, repair wiring as necessary.

This is the same harness conduit that houses the fuel pump circuits.

Please follow this diagnostic or repair process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© 2008 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.


See if this helps.

Here is another service bulletin.
xTooltipElement
Service Information
2000 Buick Regal | Century, Regal (VIN W) Service Manual | Brakes | Preliminary Information | Document ID: 1647526
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#PIC3500: ABS Light On and Possible DTCs - keywords C1225 C1226 C1232 C1233 C1276 C1277 EBCM EBTCM electrical indicator MIL sensor speed - (Apr 14, 2005)


Subject: ABS Light On and Possible DTCs


Models: 1999-2004 Buick Century, Regal

2000-2004 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo




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The following diagnosis might be helpful if the vehicle exhibits the symptom(s) described in the PI.

Condition/Concern:
ABS light coming on and codes C1225, C1226, C1232, C1233, C1276 and/or C1277 are found in the EBCM. These codes may be current, but are usually stored as history codes.

Recommendation/Instructions:
Two areas of wire chaffing or rub through have been reported and verified. Both are near the left front corner of the engine compartment.

If the wheel speed sensor wires are tight where they pass under the front of the transmission side cover, chaffing can occur as the powertrain moves on its mounts. This can be seen best from under the vehicle or from within the left front wheel well.
At the air conditioner dryer canister the ABS harness splits. If this split is tight against the dryer canister bracket, the unprotected wires can chafe as the powertrain moves on its mounts. This can be easily seen from the top of the engine compartment, left front.
Correction: Repair any damaged wires and reroute in such a way as to prevent any further chaffing.

Please follow this diagnosis process thoroughly and complete each step. If the condition exhibited is resolved without completing every step, the remaining steps do not need to be performed.

GM bulletins are intended for use by professional technicians, NOT a "do-it-yourselfer". They are written to inform these technicians of conditions that may occur on some vehicles, or to provide information that could assist in the proper service of a vehicle. Properly trained technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do a job properly and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that the bulletin applies to your vehicle, or that your vehicle will have that condition. See your GM dealer for information on whether your vehicle may benefit from the information.

WE SUPPORT VOLUNTARY TECHNICIAN CERTIFICATION


© 2008 General Motors Corporation. All rights reserved.