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Question:

Brake system on a 1997 Grand Prix GTP?

What could cause the anti lock brake light, low tire pressure light and the low traction light to come on at the same time? When it happens it‘s when you are pushing on the brakes and it feels like the brakes disengage for a second and then they catch. But it doesn‘t do it all the time just once in a while. As soon as the car is stopped the lights go off.I don‘t notice any fluids leaking onto the driveway, so could it be a sensor or the computer?My husband doesn‘t seem worried about it, he said he doesn‘t know how the mechanic would be able to hook the computer to it since it only does it when you are driving and apply the brakes sometimes. I say, that‘s what they are there for and they will figure it out. I don‘t want the kids in the car until it‘s fixed. We have a new car I can drive. But sometimes we need two vehicles and he‘ll take one of our kids with him. I‘m taking it to a mechanic, but I won‘t be able to for a little over a week. I was just looking for ideas. Thank You

Answer:

These functions are most likely controlled by one unit. Depending on the functionality of the ecu, sometimes they can run tests on a vehicle while its not moving through the serial interface, sometimes not, but if you take it to a dealer they should be able to pinpoint the problem by determining what controls all of those functions. There are computers hidden all over newer vehicles in the interior that control everything from your alarm system to how fast your blinkers blink to how long to keep the dome lights on after you shut the door. Either way, if there is a malfunction i personally wouldnt allow my kids to ride around in it, as it could cause anything that computer controls to malfunction, such as the ABS kicking in at 60 mph. There also may be a recall on it and the dealer knows there is a problem, in which case they will fix it for free. Hope that helps.
Call Dave Finkelstine. He is on Saturday AM on 97.1 Talk in St. Louis. This guy is someone people call when they have taken the car to a shop and they can't repair it. His show is streamed from the website below. You will have to register.
That is the ABS system at work. A sensor is telling the brake a wheel has stopped and the ABS want to get the wheel rolling again. If the wheels are rolling when it happens you will need to have it check. The system does a self diagnostic check and will shut the ABS off if it lose signal from one of the sensors. When you start the car the ABS light should come on then go off this is the computer telling you that it is checking it. If it fails the light will normally not go off.

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