My abs light is always on and now my brake warning light is on but brakes seem to be working fine

The amber ABS warning light is telling you that there is a problem with the ABS system. When the antilock brakes don't work you just have good old fashion non antilock brakes. When the red brake warning light is on it could be a couple of things. (unless you are talking about the brake light on the back of the car is stuck on) the red brake warning light on the dash tells you when the parking brake is on and it also tells you when there is a problem with the hydraulic system. Some cars will also turn this light on when the brake fluid is low, (not sure if the Cavalier does this)

The ABS system is computer controlled and needs to be scanned for trouble codes to diagnose the problem.

I can't say I have ever heard of a "brights" indicator flashing, Do the headlights go bright and dim as it is flashing? Is it a slow on and off like a turn signal or faster than that?

The warning light is telling the driver the system is disabled. The hydraulic brake system works independently from the ABS altho the ABS does use some hydraulic components.
You would need to have the ABS checked for trouble codes to proceed.

ABS LIGHT AND MODULE TROUBLESHOOTING:

Anti lock brake system light comes up when there is issue with car brake systems. It can be low brake fluid or faulty ABS fuse or its issue with brake system or assembly. Your vehicles brake system needs inspection.

To troubleshoot these issues, I suggest you to refer the help links provided below. There are direct links with accurate solution, for these specific issues.

Click the link below and follow the procedure: ------

All types of ABS LIGHT / brake problems and repairs

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/abs-and-service-light-comes-on.html

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ABS light stays on but brakes work fine?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/abs-light-stays-on-but-brakes-work-fine.html

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VCS and ABS lights go on and off intermittently on Lexus?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/vcs-and-abs-lights-go-on-and-off.html

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The ABS and Traction Control Lights stays ON dash of car?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/06/abs-and-traction-control-lights-stays.html

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ABS & Brake lights warning indicator steady on dash and speedometer not working for Dodge Ram?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/11/abs-brake-lights-warning-indicator.html

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Battery Light and ABS Light on Dash

http://whoisbyme.blogspot.in/2012/07/battery-light-and-abs-light-on-dash.html

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Sometimes ABS light comes on while Driving?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/sometimes-abs-light-comes-on-while.html

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How Anti-Lock Brakes Work?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/how-anti-lock-brakes-work.html

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Brake System Troubleshooting?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2011/11/brake-system-troubleshooting.html

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Anti-lock brake light stays on all the time?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.com/2012/01/anti-lock-brake-light-stays-on-all-time.html

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ABS light comes on and Car makes Grinding noise?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2012/01/abs-light-comes-on-and-car-makes.html

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ABS trouble codes for all models?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.com/2011/11/abs-trouble-codes-for-all-1994-00-acura.html
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2008 Toyota Highlander: ABS warning light Blinking and OBD Error codes Coming?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/05/2008-toyota-highlander-abs-warning.html

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2003 Lexus ES: VSC, TRAC OFF, ABS lights ON?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2003-lexus-es-vsc-trac-off-abs-lights.html

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2008 Toyota Highlander Hybrid: Warning Lights Abs, Vsc & Brake Are On?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2008-toyota-highlander-hybrid-warning.html

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ABS & Brake warning lights remains steady on dash?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/abs-brake-warning-lights-remains-steady.html

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Can I drive the car without ABS fuse connected?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.in/2012/02/can-i-drive-car-without-abs-fuse.html

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Where is ABS/TCS module located on 2005 Cadillac Deville

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2011/12/where-is-abstcs-module-located-on-2005.html

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ABS motor keeps running?

http://schematicsdiagram.blogspot.com/2012/01/abs-motor-keeps-running.html

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When the car stops, abs pump turns ON?

http://howtobyme.blogspot.com/2011/12/when-car-stopsabs-pump-turns-on.html

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Replacing ABS unit on Buick Century?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/02/replacing-abs-unit-on-buick-century.html

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2008 Toyota Tacoma: ABS causes Brake pedal fade?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/2008-toyota-tacoma-abs-causes-brake.html

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Toyota Camry: Premature ABS Actuation?

http://technoanswers.blogspot.in/2012/04/toyota-camry-premature-abs-actuation.html

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How to replace ABS Modulator Control Unit on Acura Integra?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2011/11/how-to-replace-abs-modulator-control.html

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How to replace ABS Pump Assembly on Acura Integra?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2011/11/how-to-replace-abs-pump-assembly-on.html

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How to remove ABS Accumulator on Acura Integra?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2011/11/how-to-remove-abs-accumulator-on-acura.html

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How to remove ABS Control Unit on Acura Integra?

http://repairhelpcenter.blogspot.in/2011/11/how-to-remove-abs-control-unit-on-acura.html

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These details will help.

Thanks.

check the brake fluid level in the reservoir. if full, try poking the float back to the surface. sometimes it sticks sunk. the abs light will always illuminate when the red brake light is on if your vehicle is equip t with abs. it means the abs system is inactive.

If there are no warning lights on, I would try to bleed the brakes to see if the pedal movement is decreased and braking power is increased.

Also, check the power booster vacuum hose and check valve to see if there are any leaks.

After turning off the car, pull the check valve off of the booster, and see if you hear a loud hiss.

You may want to wait a few minutes, first, to test that the booster holds vacuum over time.

Good luck on this repair.

Check your brake fluid level first. If it is fine then you probably have a bad abs brake sensor.

when the abs light comes on that disables the abs wich frees up your brakes u will need to go to the shop and have a code pull done on your car to figure out what is setting the abs code

Most traction systems have sensors at each wheel. These detect wheel spin (can be a loose connection, broken wire, dirty sensor) The ABS won't work for the same reason but your brakes will work fine without ABS. (as long as brake fluid is full) The expansion bottle should have some coolant in it as well as the radiator. My experience is the bottle has a low level sensor that can get dirty ( If it was full) But you seem to be losing coolant? Is the lid on tight? Do you ever see coolant on the ground or in the engine bay? Sorry that's a mystery from here. Hopefully it is not disappearing in your engine. That would be a bad head gasket!

your abs unit is failing and needs replaced ...the procedure for testing is to backprobe green wire in abs connector and watch voltage wave pattern on a scope ....it will show voltage does not go from 0 to 12 but only 4 to 12 volts that verifies problem is abs controller.

I would suspect a speed sensor.