Question about ABS brakes, regular brakes....

[tjdee]

Yes I did call some car guys, both can't see me until Saturday/Monday--they asked about my brake fluid (which is fine) and one of the mechanics looked under my car and saw no leaking.

The parking brake light is on. And the ABS light. I don't have the bad "squeaky brakes" noise when I'm coming to a stop. Only time I do is when the car is in reverse, like if I'm backing out of my driveway in the morning, sometimes when I'm backing up making a k-turn or something.

I just got new front rotors and pads last August and had them checked in June when I got an oil change (I think)--they can't be bad already, especially if no/little squeaking? Is it just the rear brakes? I should be okay with just "regular" brakes since I've got fluid, right (that's what both guys said)? Do I now have to pump my brakes?

I'm hoping it's just a sensor issue, because I can't afford to fix whatever it is until next Friday (unless it'll only cost me less than $200, which BWAHAHAHAHAHA it's always hundreds more than I expect.) Are sensors expensive?

Also--some places do the ABS scan for free? Is that what it's called, an ABS scan?

It's a Chevy Venture minivan, if that helps. Thanks for wading through this post, I'd be grateful for some suggestions, etc.

[stevedeshazer]

1. How many miles are on your van?

Have you owned it since new? What year is it?

I suspect the ABS pump, unless you've never had the rear brakes done.

[tjdee]

3. Is that expensive?

It might be time to get the rear brakes done--I bought it used last summer (it's a '97 with just over 100K now) and got it looked at, they replaced the front brakes but didn't do the back ones...

how expensive is an ABS pump? I know that varies wildly depending on who you ask. That's so frustrating, because I have no money, LOL.

[stevedeshazer]

7. It cost me about $400 on my Dodge van a while back

That was parts + labor on a remanufacured pump.

But diagnosis is crucial. I doubt that local driving is unsafe, given that you're sure you're not losing brake fluid.

ABS systems can't be diagnosed by shade tree mechanics. The testing must be performed by a certified shop. Doesn't have to be a dealership, but I recommend an ASE-certified mechanic/shop.

Find a reliable one in your area and ask for an estimate. Most shops will do this for free. If you can't afford it yet, at least you'll know and can plan for it.

My guess is worn out rear brakes, defective ABS pump, or both. Just the rear brakes alone I'd guess would be $150-$200.

If you had your front brakes replaced not long ago by someone reputable, you'd have been told if your rear brakes needed replacing beause they would have checked.

A sensor would likely bee less than $100, but IMO it's unlikely that's the culprit.

As others here have alluded to, you don't want to leave brakes to chance. Get it checked and find out at the very least.

Good luck!

[Carni]

2. Don't trust anything *free* when it comes to car diagnostics

Chances are you will either be getting conned, or will have someone with no clue what they are doing checking out your vehicle when it's a *free* bait and switch gimmick.

My advice would be to ask around (friends whatever) find a reputable mechanic that they can vouch for and then give them a call...explain your money situation and have them quote you a price just to take your vehicle in to diagnose the problem--have the problem diagnosed /get a price to fix it and then go from there.

ABS systems are usually not cheap to fix and the light being on could be due to a number of things.

The best thing to do is find out if you are safe to drive the vehicle the way it is and make a decision from there.

It could be that your brakes are perfectly safe and that just the ABS isn't working--in which case yes, you would have to manually pump your brakes.

[tjdee]

4. I've done some of that...

I have a couple places lined up--the guys I talked to both seemed to think I'd be okay driving. One guy actually looked underneath for me. (I am freaking out, but then I guess it's because it's me driving and not them.)

Why is nothing cheap? UGH!
Thank you....

[Mutley]

5. When my dash lights were coming on randomly like that

the battery was about to die. :shrug:

[tjdee]

6. How often do you need a new battery?

One of the conditions of me buying this car last year was that they put a new battery in.

:scared:

[Mutley]

9. Well, the battery keeps dying and the mechanics can't figure out why.

It's at the shop right now. They replaced the battery, the alternator, the fuse box, and some wire somewhere in there, yet the battery died again! But, that's how I know it's about to die is when the dash lights like the ABS and the Break light come on.

[sendero]

8. Most of the time...

.. it is just the speed sensor. On some cars, the sensor is really cheap (I put one on a Ford Exploder, costed $27) and it is almost worth just replacing it and hoping.

Because if it isn't, you are probably looking at big bucks.

FWIW, ABS brakes aren't all that anyway IMHO. My truck has the light on right now, I'm ignoring it, I did fine for 30 years without ABS, I really don't need care that much :)