Service Brake System error?

Tiny
JIMMYPAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 257,000 MILES
I am getting an intermittent “Servive Brake System” error

Sometime s this error comes on right when I start up the car, sometimes it comes on after driving and sometimes it doesn’t come on at all.

I notice when it’s on, I don’t have ABS or All-wheel drive, but brake work just fine.

When it’s off, my ABS works like normal.

The emergency brake cable is not hooked up.

I’ve replaced the all-wheel drive module several times. Sometimes it works, some times it doesn’t.

When I get new tires or have the tires rotated, I just go to the cheap local place.

It’s their a sensor that’s not hooked up? Could it be a fuse? Anything else I should check?

Thanks.
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 AT 7:51 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
When the light comes on with that message it means the brake system shows an error. Because the ABS, traction control and AWD all use the same parts of the brake system any fault in it will also turn those off. The first thing to do is scan the truck for codes, when the light is on it stores codes related to the systems. With those codes you have a starting point to find the problem, that is because it could be a bad wheel speed sensor, a bad ABS module, even low brake fluid can cause an error, but looking at the codes will give you a clue where to look. If you don't have a scan tool that can read ABS codes many parts stores will scan the vehicle, but they may not scan the ABS system, depends on store policy. Get the code(s) and post them and we can track down the problem together.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 31st, 2025 AT 9:39 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 54,860 POSTS
I agree with Steve W. it sounds like a wheel speed sensor or the bearing hub is going out, when the brake waring light is on I would scan the system to see which code is present, this will tell you which wheel is having an issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvooM1X2SDs

Please go over this guide and get back to us.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, January 1st, 2026 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
JIMMYPAGE
  • MEMBER
  • 42 POSTS
Ok, I finally got a scan tool hooked up. Took me over a week to get the error again.

C0265

Repair ground for electronic brake control module (EBCM)
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Monday, January 5th, 2026 AT 7:03 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,546 POSTS
That code is commonly caused by corrosion in the electrical connector on the EBCM, or if the ground to the EBCM motor is faulty. I would pull the connections off, look them over for corrosion, clean and reassemble. I have seen it be an issue in the harness and people run a different ground to the EBCM as a repair, however the location of the unit under the truck can make that a bad repair as it starts corroding quick.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Tuesday, January 6th, 2026 AT 12:27 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.