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Hello, So recently I've been having issues with the "brake" and "ABS" lights coming on the dash it's an intermittent problem and I think I've narrowed it down to the High Mount(3rd brake-light) failing, in the gif you can see that when I press the pedal it lights up dim and gets slightly brighter, now my question is would this failure cause the indicators on the dash to show or is something else cause them to come on along with the high mount to do that? Thank you
p.s it's an 07 Aura XE 3.5L 75k miles
Read the codes from the OBD2 port with a full-fledged scanner, not a code reader. There are probably some body control module codes that will help you sort this out.
It may be as simple as the brake pedal switch or much more complicated.
Dash warning lights are system failure notifications, like low fluid and speed sensor problems. Not rear light functions, those may or may not be monitored by a bulb function system.
Read the codes from the OBD2 port with a full-fledged scanner, not a code reader. There are probably some body control module codes that will help you sort this out.
It may be as simple as the brake pedal switch or much more complicated.
I unfortunately don't have a full fledged scanner I only have a FoxWell reader, however I did get the high mount issue resolved but am still dealing with the intermittent "BRAKE & ABS" indicators coming on. The odd thing is that when those dash indicators come on everything still works normally as far as I can tell. I don't lose cruise control etc and no other indicators come on.
The High Mount was a bad connection at the LED module. Apparently its a common issue in GM cars of this "vintage" lol, that use this same module. Something at the connector fails/loosens so people have been wedging toothpicks etc in the gap of the connector to mild/short term success. That "fix" didn't sit well with me when i removed the module. But I noticed that right beside the connector socket there are unpopulated "+ & -" traces on the circuit board so i just cut the plug off and soldered directly on the board. Works normally now.
Last edited by Thorthor; Aug 21, 2024 at 09:45 AM.
Dash warning lights are system failure notifications, like low fluid and speed sensor problems. Not rear light functions, those may or may not be monitored by a bulb function system.
Yea I wasn't thinking about it logically cause I noticed the High Mount after the Brake & ABS dash lights started and since they both were/are intermittent issues I immediately connected the 2 problems.
But I did actually get the high mount issue resolved. But still dealing with the intermittent "BRAKE & ABS" indicators coming on.
The odd thing is that when those dash indicators come on everything still works normally as far as I can tell. I don't lose cruise control etc, and I pretty sure ABS is still working though I'm not 100% as I haven't needed to slam on the brakes nor have I been in a suitable/safe location to test it always in town or on highway.
Last edited by Thorthor; Aug 21, 2024 at 09:44 AM.
Usually if the ABS light or traction control light, etc. Is illuminated, the corresponding system is disabled. It might be something as simple as one of the speed sensors at one of the wheels has crud on it and is not detecting the tone ring on the axle. I wouldn't be surprised if an ABS system problem is also designed to light the brake light indicator by default.
A scanner that can communicate with the ABS module is the logical next step.
Have any car junky friends? Mechanic friends? Mechanics that will not charge you $100 for the scan to tell you what the error is?
There are ways to access the codes yourself. Requires a bit of cash layout to get either a Bluetooth dongle or a wired scanner. Nice ones cost maybe 125.
My 02 Olds Alero would turn on both brake and abs lights when turning the wheels all the way to the left. It had some bad wiring going to the right front wheel speed sensor. It would pull on the wires and loose continuity when turned left all the way. This was in the car harness not the sensor harness. The car worked fine until it turned the lights on. All systems worked when the lights were off.
Usually if the ABS light or traction control light, etc. Is illuminated, the corresponding system is disabled. It might be something as simple as one of the speed sensors at one of the wheels has crud on it and is not detecting the tone ring on the axle. I wouldn't be surprised if an EBS system problem is also designed to light the brake light indicator by default.
A scanner that can communicate with the ABS module is the logical next step.
Have any car junky friends? Mechanic friends? Mechanics that will not charge you $100 for the scan to tell you what the error is?
There are ways to access the codes yourself. Requires a bit of cash layout to get either a Bluetooth dongle or a wired scanner. Nice ones cost maybe 125.
We can advise on here what to go for.
ok so I Found this Bulletin from GM that explains what things need to occur in order for either of the dash lights to turn on. As well as explaining for the most part how both systems works. I'm gonna paste the link https://gm.saturn.team/Saturn/AURA/2007/87/4/6221/1615
So I gotta go back and read it all again cause I literally am drawing a blank on anything it said. But the lights go off if i shut the car off for a few seconds or a min and then they usually stay off for a day or so then come back on it doesn't matter if it's still in park turning or going straight it just randomly happens no rhyme or reason that I can tell so far.
Do you by chance know if the faults would be stored in the modules like a history code cause it's gonna be annoying to get a reader on it while it's light up cause I don't know anyone that has one that's more than just dtc. I know my FoxWell can talk to some modules on some cars and run test I'll check it out and see thanks a million every info nugget helps.
My 02 Olds Alero would turn on both brake and abs lights when turning the wheels all the way to the left. It had some bad wiring going to the right front wheel speed sensor. It would pull on the wires and loose continuity when turned left all the way. This was in the car harness not the sensor harness. The car worked fine until it turned the lights on. All systems worked when the lights were off.
that's almost identical to what I have happening except for me they come on randonly in park, turning going straight I've tried to force it and have only got it to show 1 time and that was after starting the car then turning it off 15 or 16 times and I'd rather not wear the starter out lol cause as of right now I'm gonna keep poking around etc but I'm thing of filing this under don't worry about since it's not really causing me any noticeable driving issues other than being annoying.
Please remember that if the ABS dash light is illuminated, the ABS system is likely disabled. Have proper expectations of how your vehicle will behave under unexpected circumstances.
High mount brake light
