ABS light is on . Braking is now being effective.

abs problems will effect ves-- tcs --cruise control -braking system check and test fuses relays wiring sensor and hubs

No speed sensor signal at one of the wheels. An expensive fix just to make the light on the dash go out. ABS light on will not affect normal braking function. I would just remove the light bulb in the dash. ABS function is barely noticeable and not cost effective.

The ABS motor is controlled by the computer. The function is different for 2 wheel vs 4 wheel ABS. My guess is that you have 2 wheel ABS. Look at the write ups by Chris and Helmet. Basically the computer will compare engine speed and transmission speed to wheel rotation during braking. If very different, it will pulse the braking system to avoid skids and most effectively apply braking pressure.

Hey man The ABS light is most likely a speed sensor out of range. It will not effect normal braking function. You have already spent a ton of money. Chasing an ABS light fault is not cost effective and you wont feel the difference. ABS problems are a dealer only option(expensive). Take that ABS bulb out of the dash and forget about it.

is the fluid level just low enough to trip the fluid level sensor?

Its the Auto Braking System.
This is the system that pulses your brake to reduce skidding when braking on gravel, ice, wet pavement...etc.
When this light comes on...more than likely it won't function correctly and your tires will lock up and skid.
Fixing the problem usually requires a brake job / brake replacement all the way around.


Hope this helps...

On vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), a second warning light is provided to warn if a problem occurs within the ABS system. The ABS lamp comes on when the ignition is turned on for a bulb check, then goes out after the engine starts. If the ABS warning light remains on or comes on while driving, it indicates a fault has occurred in the ABS system.

What happens next depends on the nature of the fault. On most applications, the ABS system disables itself if the ABS warning light comes on and remains on. This should have no effect on normal braking. Even so, ABS will NOT be available in an emergency situation or when braking on a wet or slick surface.

CAUTION: If the brake warning light also comes on and remains on while the ABS warning light it on, it signals a serious problem. Your vehicle may not be safe to drive. The brakes and ABS system should be inspected immediately to determine the nature of the problem!

If the ABS light comes on momentarily then goes out, the nature of the problem is usually minor and the ABS system usually remains fully operational. Some vehicle manufacturers call this kind of fault a "nonlatching" fault (meaning it isn't serious enough to disable the ABS system).

Regardless of the type of fault that occurred to trigger the ABS warning lamp, a special "code" is recorded in the ABS module's memory to aid in diagnosing the problem. On some vehicles this code can be retrieved by putting the ABS system into a special diagnostic mode. The code is then flashed out through the ABS warning lamp. The code number refers to a diagnostic chart in a service manual that must be followed to pinpoint the faulty component. On other applications, a special "scan tool" must be plugged into the vehicle's diagnostic connector to read out the fault code.

On occasion an ABS light will come on when a brake light is out. So check your brake lights first. Your ABS light is on because there is a malfunction in the ABS system. Is your brake warning light and your ABS warning light both on? This would be an indicator of a major malfunction in the ABS system. Stop driving the vehicle and fix this immemorially. If only your ABS light warning light is on this will not effect normal braking but the ABS system is disabled while the ABS warning light is on. You still need to have it repaired but you still have brakes for the moment. Now the code for this fault will be stored inside the ABS memory module. So you pinpoint this with scanner. Hope this helps

That "grindy" feeling is when the ABS kicks in. It's only suppose to activate when you slam on the brakes and the wheels would normally lock. Instead, ABS will very quickly pump the brakes on and off, to prevent the wheels from locking (making a giant skid mark) and stopping the car more effectively. Generally this only happens if you slam on the brakes or loose traction due to rain or snow while braking. If this is happening often and the brake light is on, on the dash, then you need to get this checked out by a qualified mechanic ASAP.

Your car had been designed to work with ABS brakes, if ABS is not working brakes performance can be badly affected, particularly at high speed.
To keep the vehicle safety to standards the ABS should be inspected. At a qualified garage they can connect to ABS system, get an error code in return and diagnose the problem.
Check relays first.