I have a '95 firebird and on my way home from work today I went to stop at a light and it felt like the brakes didn't catch. An indicator light came on and said "Trac Low" and the ABS Inop indcator light came on. My ABS Inop has been coming on and off the past few days, but I've had no problem with the actual brakes. Any idea what would have caused my car not to stop. Is it just the Anti Lock brake system or is there something more I need to look into?

Your brake lines may be corroded and breaking apart. In my opinion, you should never ignore brake problems. Make an appointment and take it into the shop ASAP!

Hugs, Didi

It's important to change the brake fluid every 2 years, in order to replenish the anti-corrosion properties of the fluid and to get rid of moisture, air, and crud. Make sure to only use an ABS-approved fluid, such as Valvoline SynPower Brake fluid (made in KY). Failure to do this can result in severe corrosion in the ABS and cost $2,000+ to fix. Be sure and check for any ABS Codes being thrown. Periodically, have each wheel's ABS sensor removed and cleaned with a spritzled rag, not compressed air. Have pads, shoes, and caliper pins checked. Grease caliper pins with silicone grease. Basically, have the complete brake system checked.

nkychic,
Brakes are always to be looked into. The lights could mean anything, but if the pedal gets weird or feels like you're not going to stop is a problem. Sounds like a booster or master cylinder problem. Check the brake fluid level, check for leaks under the resivoir and where it bolt through the firewall. Also, look for fluid in the driver's floor area and up the firewall under the dash, driver's side. Also, listen for an air wooshing or sucking noise when the pedal is applied. Do the dash warning lights only come on when the pedal is applied.

Trac is detecting slip. Basically, I think you need new brakes, and the fluid in the resivour is getting low.

Ignore the last several comments what it sounds like to me is on the wheel hub there is a 2 or 3 wire harness that might have possibly gotten worn out and then broke which is why it turns that light on in your dash

Please ignore the comment by masterpontech. I think he missed the part about your brakes not catching when you went to stop at the lights. If your brakes are stopping you, it is definitely more than a worn out or broken wire harness. Besides that, I am sure you have had this problem dealt with by now considering your original post was on October 16th, but I felt the answer I refer to could mislead someone else who felt that their brakes weren't catching when they stopped after their brake light warnings had been flashing.

Hugs, Didi

Quote:

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Originally Posted by grammadidi

Please ignore the comment by masterpontech. I think he missed the part about your brakes not catching when you went to stop at the lights. If your brakes are stopping you, it is definitely more than a worn out or broken wire harness. Besides that, I am sure you have had this problem dealt with by now considering your original post was on October 16th, but I felt the answer I refer to could mislead someone else who felt that their brakes weren't catching when they stopped after their brake light warnings had been flashing.

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I know this question is old but I'd like to state my opinion anyway.

Didi, you were in the wrong to hit Master with a disagree. The reason her brakes "weren't catching" was because her ABS was kicking on. ABS stands for anti-lock brakes. If the light has been coming on prior to this incident, she has a problem with the system; most likely a sensor(like Master suggested!) that isn't reading properly. The sensor thinks that the wheel is slipping, which causes the ABS to kick in which prevents the brakes from locking up.