ABS issues

[YnotVW]

So the other day the ABS light came on in Anna's car (04 LS hatch). Today it acted up on her and I took it for a drive tonight and it acted up for me.

Here is what it does. The light is constantly on now. However, when it turns OFF the ABS kicks in (on dry pavement). Once stopped the light comes back on and it doesn't act up again until the light goes off again. I drove over 5 miles though our small town (lots of stopping) and it only did it once. (done it twice today)

Any Ideas????? I'm thinking either a dirty sensor or a broken exciter ring.

[petrified.rabbit]

the light illuminated mens the system is shut off, when it comes back on, it tries to work, until it shuts itself off again.

this could be as simple as fluid level, since it comes back on after a while. If the light is on you should be able to read the code IF you have a GM scan tool that reads body/abs codes.

[YnotVW]

Time to get a good scanner. Too bad I'm BROKE, new house and a wedding will do that I suppose...

[YnotVW]

Brake fluid is full, but very brown.

[petrified.rabbit]

it is most likely 6 years old. And with the motor working that hard..

if it is full then you should pull (or climb under) and check the 4 sensors / rings for obvious damage. Clean the rings, etc.

checking the condition of the brakes would be good as well, if one of the drums is not stopping it will do this, and you might not feel it in the car. I think you need to pull the drum to get to the ring too..

it a lot of work though, so its up to you whether you spend a day pulling it apart to hope to see something, or try to get it scanned to a direct repair. because the pump could also be bad.. and you'll not find that yourself.

[YnotVW]

Thats what I figured. I've done front brake about a year ago. And did the pass rear ~1.5 yrs ago or so in an emergency, but have not done the other side which could be worn out now. Hopefully I'll get some time on Sunday to take a closer look at things.