Hey,

I'm having a problem with my 2003 Protege5. Most of the time, the ABS and Brake warning lights come on and my ABS don't work. The strange part is that it comes and goes, although recently they've been on more than off. Anyone have any thoughts what could be wrong. Any help would be much appreciated. This is driving me nuts!

 

on the basic end of the problem, it could just be either your power booster or your master cylinder. on the more complicated end of it, it could be a problem with the computer. when the abs goes, is it like your pedal is just going to the floor and the brakes make a terrible grind sound, or is your pedal just getting really stiff and not stopping the car? very expensive difference here.

 

thanks for the feedback.

interestingly enough, it's neither. when the abs and brake warning lights are on, the only difference is that the abs don't work when i brake. sometime the lights are on when i start the car up and other times they come on while i'm driving. when it's the latter, the brakes seem fine but just before the lights come on the pedal will vibrate like the abs is kicking in even though i'm just coming to a gradual stop.

 

that sounds like a problem with the computer. mainly because of the randomization of the lights, but also because of the fact that the ABS is acting up on its own, aside from the rest of the brake system. i have had the same thing happen to a few of the cars that i have owned and driven and that was the solution.