Warning lights for brakes: trac off, service vehicle soon, ABS and brake

Tiny
JIMBOBOB007
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 BUICK REGAL
  • 105,000 MILES
I have an intermittent problem with these lights coming on in my 2004 Regal. They sometimes flick on and then off. My mechanic went through and cleaned connections. In the process he moved wires; for a while the lights stayed off but now they're back. I had the cable assemblies to both front wheels replaced. I took the car to a place who did in-depth brake work.
They hooked up their computer and told me that the problem seemed to be the abs module. They were quite decent. They said that the module would have to be replaced for $680 but they told me straight up that they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem.
I am pretty much at my wits end. I bought the car used and have fixed numerous problems. I like the car but I can't afford to put lots more money into it with no guarantee of success.

I would truly appreciate your help,

Thanks,

Jim
Monday, August 26th, 2013 AT 1:02 PM

6 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If you could get me the. Exact code numbers that would help a lot it will be a letter followed by a four digit number.
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Monday, August 26th, 2013 AT 1:55 PM
Tiny
JIMBOBOB007
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  • 3 POSTS
I had to go over to the shop to get the codes; he re-checked the car for me

U1040, C1248, C1254, C1298

Thanks,

Jim
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 AT 10:15 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So does the U1040 come right back as soon as its cleared? Also will the other codes come right back when cleared?With the codes it could a bad ebcm but without knowing if they weren't able to talk to the ebcm at anytime or if that code U code comes right back after clearing it?There is a trouble tree but if the problem is interment then I would say that's why there unsure if its the ebcm.
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Tuesday, August 27th, 2013 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
JIMBOBOB007
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I don't actually know how quick the code comes back. I took it in Monday and the codes were there. I went back Tuesday and they were there again. He didn't tell me specifically what the codes represented, just that they pointed at the ABS module. When he checked voltage and grounds at the module they were okay.

The lights come on, go off for a while and then come back. It seems like they react to the car's motion. Sometimes the brake pedal oscillates when I push it but not often. I am not a mechanic but it acts as if there's a loose or broken wire and that it's making contact sometimes then not. I've actually taken the car to three different mechanics. All them have basically said that the cause of the problem is illusive. The first mechanic cleaned all the contacts since the car is from up north. After he did that the lights were off for quite a while but now they're back.

It seems like this is a fairly common problem. All the mechanics have been quite willing to help but they end up baffled. I'm afraid to take it to the dealer since they will want to simply replace parts which would be very expensive. I can't even find any sort of diagram that I can use to trace wires myself. This whole experience has been very frustrating since I had numerous other things done on the car which have cost a good bit of money. I don't want to throw more money at symptoms; I really want to find the cause.

Thanks,

Jim
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 AT 3:07 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
For the U code you have to check it when there its failing setting the code now. You would check the powers and grounds going into and also the data lines running into the scan tool uses and lines that go from one module to the other.
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 AT 3:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
On are website the have a 79 abs module repair with lifetime warranty you send them yours and they fix it.
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Wednesday, August 28th, 2013 AT 3:40 PM

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