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1999 Buick Century: less than 50,000 miles..service engine soon..trac

 
BigBob's Avatar
  • Answered by:BigBob
  • Shop manager/technician
  • Positive Feedback: 98.8 %
  • Accepted Answers: 198
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Customer Question

I have a 1999 Buick Century with less than 50,000 miles on it. Yesterday the service engine soon, anti-lock brake and low trac off lights all came on. Someone said that this could mean the wheel bearings are bad. What could be causing this? Any ideas what I can try first?

 

Optional Information:
Year : 1999
Make : Buick
Model: Century
Engine: 6 cylinder

Already Tried:
Checked fuses, disconnected and reconnected the battery cables

Submitted: 352 days and 15 hours ago.
Category: Buick
Value: $18
Status: CLOSED
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Expert:  BigBob replied 352 days and 15 hours ago.

Greetings and welcome to just answer!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately we would just be guessing and that is never a good idea. Yes these cars very frequently need wheel bearings/abs speed sensors, but I have also seen many abs brake control modules go bad. The best thing to do is get the codes from the abs module, but a generic scanner will not get these codes. Has the light come back on since disconnecting the battery cables? Usually this does not clear them.


Please let me know if I can help further,
Bob

Customer replied 352 days and 15 hours ago.

The lights came on immediately when I restarted the car after connecting the battery cables. You said that a generic scanner can't read the codes from the ABS module. Does this mean a regular mechanic garage would not have the correct scanner? Where would I need to go to be sure the mechanic has the correct scanner. If it is the ABS brake control module that has gone bad, is this harmful to the car? I seem to have no braking problems. I guess what I would like to know is if it would be harmful to drive the car with these lights on. I am on vacation and drove over 250 miles after the three lights came on and didn't notice any problems of any kind. Thank you for your help.

Accepted Answer

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Expert:  BigBob replied 352 days and 14 hours ago.

Most repair shops have the correct scanner. when the abs light is on, it not harmful to the car, but in a panic stop the car could go into a skid. The abs system will not usually effect the braking system, this is only used in a panic stop. You will be able to drive it home without harming anything. after you get home get to your regular mechanic and have it scanned to be sure.


Please let me know if I can help further,
Bob

Expert TypeShop manager/technician
Category: Buick
Pos. Feedback: 98.8 %
Accepts: 198
Answered: 4/24/2012

Experience: Shop Manager with 25 years experience

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