1999 Pontiac Grand Am ABS, parking brake, traction control

MIKE1971

MEMBER
1999 PONTIAC GRAND AM

Electrical problem
1999 Pontiac Grand Am 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic

I have been having this problem for about six months now but I haven't been to concerned about it because my brakes work fine, a little sluggish maybe but they are still working.

Like I said, about six months ago I started having a problem with my traction light and ABS light coming on periodically on the instrument panel and the traction control would kick in for no apparent reason and that would shut off the cruise control when I'm driving. It was a little annoying. The problem kind of fixed itself but the brakes felt a little sluggish and the ABS light and finally the parking brake light on the instrument panel came on and has stayed on permanently up until now.

I've had the problem looked at by a licensed mechanic but when he tried to scan the electrical system to see what the problem was he kept getting an error message that wouldn't allow him to access the ABS sensor. The only thing he could suggest was that it might be a short or a loose wire somewhere in the electrical system and that I would have to take the car to a GM dealer to find out if there have been any recalls on this vehicle for this problem on this make model and year. He said give them the VIN number for the vehicle and said mybe I could get it fixed for free, but if I couldn't it would be very costly to fix the problem.

I was just wondering if you had any suggestions for me that I could apply before I take it into a GM dealership.

Thanks,

Mike Nilsson

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

Fi your abs light is on it has to be scanned to see what's wrong with it. It may be a wire or connection bad, but it has tobe scanned. Your parking brake is probably on because there is something wrong with the master cylinder as that light lights up when the master goes bad among other things. ABS units can be reuilt, but most dealers just put new ones in. But when an abs goes out it has tobe sent in and thensent back soyour vehicle is tied up for a few days or a week. The delaers willuse a tech2 on your car and probably charge you $100 to see what's wrong with it. You don't have to get it fixed there however. And if it's a short or connection problem it takes time to find stuff like that.