ABS and brake light comes on and stays on over bumps

[Bread Van]

Most times when I start my van the ABS light and brake light come on, then go off, as they should.

However within a short distance both will come on at the same time. I have seen this happen enough to realize that is always happens after going over a bump. Once the lights come on, they stay on.

I figured I had a front wheel sensor issue, but this is making me think I might just have a bad connection somewhere.

Any obvious locations I should be investigating. Any help is appreciated.

[Bread Van]

PS, when I had the codes scanned at Autozone they told me that they couldn't scan the braking system. Is this true, or was the guy just lazy?

He also wouldn't let me clear my emissions faults...which every other guy has allowed...so long as he doesn't do it.

[unrreal]

PS, when I had the codes scanned at Autozone they told me that they couldn't scan the braking system. Is this true, or was the guy just lazy?

He also wouldn't let me clear my emissions faults...which every other guy has allowed...so long as he doesn't do it.

* yes its true you can't scan the brake system with a regular obdii scanner you have to use a snap-on or professional grade scanner for that.
* and for your second it is autozones company policy to check lights only not clear them but some people don't care and erase them anyway (this is what i used to do ) when i worked there

[Bread Van]

* and for your second it is autozones company policy to check lights only not clear them but some people don't care and erase them anyway (this is what i used to do ) when i worked there

I know, if they dont offer, I usually say..."can I see that for a second"..."whoops, I must have erased them!" Autozone dude at 900 S. State wouldn't let me touch the thing.

[Astroplane]

Any obvious locations I should be investigating.

Check connectors at EBCM. Follow the brake lines down from the master cylinder. Check/clean ground at the radiator support. Consider purchasing a FSM for your van. I've seen them for as little as $30 on ebay. It has all the information you need.

[Bread Van]

Haven't gotten around to any further digging yet. I have noticed that the ABS system works proper before the lights come on...once the lights are on, no ABS. I managed a full 40 mile drive yesterday without the lights coming on. Weird. Do these vans have wear sensors?

One of these days I'll get around to taking the wheels off!

I know an FSM would help me answer that question, but I haven't picked one up yet. Figure someone can offer a quick answer

[Astroplane]

I have noticed that the ABS system works proper before the lights come on...once the lights are on, no ABS.

It may very well be a wire or connector. Time to start digging. Need to scan for codes/data.
There are wear indicators/squealers, but you would have to look at your pads to make sure.

[Bread Van]

So wear indicators not sensors.

I'm not moving very fast this van's issues, since it isn't my daily driver and the project is more of a hobby than anything. Once I find a good deal on a code reader I'll pick one up, but the brake issue won't be high priority until the big snows return...since the non-ABS brakes work just fine.

That said, I do need to take off the wheels someday. I'm just being lazy

[Corsemoto]

Same situation with my van, I'll let you know what I find here soon...

Just picked up this manual on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360246145290&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

This is in the manual regarding corrosion on the mounting surface:

[Astroplane]

So wear indicators not sensors.

The wear indicators are typically part of the brake pad. Your van has left and right front wheel speed sensors.

[Bread Van]

So wear indicators not sensors.

The wear indicators are typically part of the brake pad. Your van has left and right front wheel speed sensors.

Brake wear sensor are different than speed sensors and squealing sounds. Wear indicators make a little dash light up on your cluster when the pads are getting worn.

I'm going to stick to my guess that that Astro does NOT have brake pad wear sensors.

I'll confirm once I get those pesky wheels off...which will happen when I decide which tires are going on.

[Astroplane]

Nope, BMW did not make your Astro van.

[Bread Van]

Nope, BMW did not make your Astro van.

Bummer, I thought I stumbled upon the little known secret of the minivan world I guess I'll have to rethink that Dinan performance kit I found on Ebay.

Well anyway, I was searching for new brake pads at Rock Auto and some of them were labeled as sensor models. And since my van was made in 2003 I didn't think it was too outlandish of a concept...even for

[Astroplane]

Which pads are you looking at on rock? I'm only seeing the 'sensory lock' pads. I was thinking that is a trade name for how the friction material is attached to the pad backing. Not sure.

[Bread Van]

Which pads are you looking at on rock? I'm only seeing the 'sensory lock' pads. I was thinking that is a trade name for how the friction material is attached to the pad backing. Not sure.

I just looked again, and I would say that I clearly misread the descriptions. I saw 'sensory lock' and thought sensor. My bad for sure. I swear I saw something listed that included a sensor, but that must of been a side effect of my sitting in front of a damn computer all day long.

I will also say that I was a bit overwhelmed by the quantity and range of available brake pads. While we are on the subject...Any compelling reason for buying anything other than a basic Semi-Metallic pad. I see Ceramic aren't too much more $$$.

Put another way. Are any of those pads known for being bad.

Sorry for the mix up

[Bis]

Most times when I start my van the ABS light and brake light come on, then go off, as they should.

However within a short distance both will come on at the same time. I have seen this happen enough to realize that is always happens after going over a bump. Once the lights come on, they stay on.

I figured I had a front wheel sensor issue, but this is making me think I might just have a bad connection somewhere.

Any obvious locations I should be investigating. Any help is appreciated.

Hello folks, I am having the exact same problem. Very frustrating.
Has anybody made any progress finding the culprit of this issue?

The computer is giving up a trouble code CO625, says something about the VCM? I googled the code number and can't find anything about it.

My mechanic has troubleshooted this issue for days now (wheel sensor cleanings, electrical checks, relay, etc) yet the problem won't go away.

Not only am I reading that this is a fairly common problem (ABS Light/Brake Light issues on the Astro) but I am also hearing a lot of horror stories regarding the use of the ABS system, specially in the winter. WHAT. THE. HELL. !!!!!! Really GM? designing a "dangerous" ABS system? How can an ABS system that doesn't work on ice pass on to the consumer???? No recalls? Nothing???

I don't mean to get carried away with the whole rant about GM but what I would like to do is fix this damn light.

• If it is by far confirmed that the brake system will run just fine without the ABS system, how can I disable it (and the stupid lights!).
• What about the BRAKE light coming on? is that a separate issue?


Sorry for venting out on this here forum.

[scaneagle62]

My 2004 awd astro has the opposite problem. My brake light and abs lights are on all the time! Except when I was in line getting junk food I didn't notice that for a couple of minutes I was standing on the brake peddle getting money out of my pocket and the lights go out. When ever they do go out for a couple of minutes I know that I will get that no brake action **** , but when the lights come back on the brakes are fine. My abs fuse is pulled and has been for awhile.
Here's a freaking weird one, when I park it and my lights( abs and brake light ) happened to be off at that time I cant set my alarm! It keeps going off for no reason ( and no I didnt have a door agar ). Then we I drive the van and lights are on, I can set my alarm again. I can can lock it from the inside and my beeper works to unlock it so no big deal. Its after market thing and previous owner did it.

[Corsemoto]

Is it code CO625 or CO265? CO265 makes sense: http://www.wellsve.com/custom_searches/abs_troublecodes.php?make=Chevrolet&model=Astro+Van&year=2001&code=C0265&submit.x=55&submit.y=12&submit=Submit&confirm=1

There is more information on it in this thread viewtopic.php?f=45&t=13496 how to test abs pump, wheel sensors, etc and a potential $70 fix.

You should know that on late model vans '03+ (and possible earlier) when the red brake light is on or an ABS disabling malfunction (bad ebcm, faulty wheel sensor, etc), the DRP (dynamic rear proportioning) is disabled which regulates rear hydraulic pressure and can cause rear to lock up early and diminish braking performance. With regards to whatever you may think about ABS, your van will stop better with the DRP system functional.

[Bis]

I solved my problem (posted a few posts up on this thread).

THE PROBLEM: Bad ABS Module. Apparently a usual problem with Chevy's of my year late 90's/early 2000's.
THE SOLUTION: Send it for repair. Go on eBay and find these guys: http://www.autoecu.com/ They charge about $50 less on eBay!!! I don't know why.

If you don't want to spend the money on repairing it you can disable it by disconnecting it. Your brakes will work but your ABS won't.
Unfortunately I spent tons of money of ABS sensors and such, which made no difference. For $50 + shipping one way you get a LIFETIME WARRANTY on your ABS Module. Get it checked!

[Rolling_Rock]

I solved my problem (posted a few posts up on this thread).

THE PROBLEM: Bad ABS Module. Apparently a usual problem with Chevy's of my year late 90's/early 2000's.
THE SOLUTION: Send it for repair. Go on eBay and find these guys: http://www.autoecu.com/ They charge about $50 less on eBay!!! I don't know why.

If you don't want to spend the money on repairing it you can disable it by disconnecting it. Your brakes will work but your ABS won't.
Unfortunately I spent tons of money of ABS sensors and such, which made no difference. For $50 + shipping one way you get a LIFETIME WARRANTY on your ABS Module. Get it checked!

You can do this repair YOURSELF , by following the instructions here:

viewtopic.php?f=45&t=16006