ABS light on

Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 GMC SIERRA
  • 6.0L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 280,000 MILES
It is my buddies truck and the ABS light is on he took it to auto zone and told him it needs a brake module. I looked at it and the system is not like the one on my truck, it does not have a brake boost and it looks like it runs of the power steering pump. It also has a problem of rear brakes lock up when applied hard, the inside of the rear rotors are cut in pretty bad also. Would that have to do with the brake module also and is this something I would be able to do? Because I did some research and they are saying I would need a Tech II to allow the ABS system to go through a bleed process if I replace the calipers and also to power bleed the system? We are also putting all new suspension and steering components and hubs on the front.
Friday, March 3rd, 2017 AT 9:41 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Sometimes you can get away with bleeding brakes on these with a power bleeder. However an ABS unit needs to be programmed to the vehicle which you cannot do a mechanic can and he can scan for codes as well as auto parts most do not know what causes what and are not very good diagnosticians. Best to have a real mechanic check it with his scanner. By the way you have a hydraulic booster on this vehicle not vacuum operated.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 7:57 AM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
Okay, thanks.
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Saturday, March 4th, 2017 AT 10:34 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
When you open up the hydraulic system on the if it requires a scan tool to bleed the brakes. If you just try to bleed the brakes you will never get a good pedal. So you would have to have to have it towed to a place that can bleed the brakes with a scan tool. The scan tool runs the ABS pump first then you bleed the brakes normally. A pressure bleeder cannot take the place of running the ABS pump with a scan tool. What was the exact code number it had not code description?
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
Not sure I would have to ask him?
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 7:31 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yeah, if you do not remember it.
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 7:42 PM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
I never knew it, I was going on what he said and did. Just was wondering how difficult it would be to work on.
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
With what auto zone said it needs a ABS module they only read codes and sell parts there not mechanics.
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 7:58 PM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
I hear ya.
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 8:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So that is why I asked what the code was. Also, does the ABS light come on as soon as you start driving?
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 8:10 PM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
I believe it stays on.
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Sunday, March 5th, 2017 AT 10:58 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
If I had the actual code number the letter followed by the four digit code I could tell you more. You might need a professional scan tool that can read live data from the ABS computer to actually diagnose the issue. But let's start with the code.
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Monday, March 6th, 2017 AT 6:58 AM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
Alright
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Monday, March 6th, 2017 AT 8:55 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,321 POSTS
Please let us know what you find so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Thursday, March 9th, 2017 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
JASONPYZO
  • MEMBER
  • 87 POSTS
I was doing a lift on my buddies truck and while we were in there we ended up replacing the entire front suspension and steering linkage. The light ended up going off so it might have been one of the speed sensors on the one of the hubs, I still think the brake system can use some work because I think the brake pedal doesn't feel as good as it could. But he's happy but I told him to keep an eye one it. I appreciate all the help, Thanks
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Thursday, March 9th, 2017 AT 8:46 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,321 POSTS
Good to hear, please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Best, Ken
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Friday, March 10th, 2017 AT 10:34 AM

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