1996 Pontiac Transport ABS amber light coming on

Does the ABS light come on by itself or does the brake light come on also?

Just the ABS light coming on by itself(meaning the brakes still function).

addtional FYI: passes all the intial power or pre start tests meaning turn the key and ABS goes on and then off and brake light on and then off meaning brake systems check out.

addtional info 2: 2 weeks ago ABS light came on while driving...next day driving car AC cut off (no cold), ABS light came on, at stop light engine died/and dead start.
Alternator tested Good condition, battery was then replaced (4 years old), volt meter was put on battery while running to make sure proper volt draw. Fixed issue car operating. **This week ABS comes on- addtionally there has been a "thump" or "pop" when taking off from stand still or complete stop.

last note (may not apply at all but extra info): I did have to rotate the engine forward to remove the alterantor (stupid GM setup) I had the car in neutral but did I snap the transmount bolts or engine mount bolts? I think the car would run very poorly if I did snap or bend.

What bolt was broken? Will the light only come on after the vehicle starts moving, or as soon as you start the car and hit the brakes?

1.) What bolt was broken?
No bolt was broken-that information was for the change of the alternator -in order to remove the alternator you have to rotate the engine forward. (disregard). I only brought that up since the pop or thud from standstill to moving forward you hear a popping sometimes.


2.) Will the light only come on after the vehicle starts moving, or as soon as you start the car and hit the brakes?
When the vehicle starts moving ABS amber light comes on nothing else. Stop. Shut car down. Wait. Sometimes pump brake to ex-spell power booster brake build up. Turn on vechicle. Start moving vehicle.ABS light may or maynot come on-depends on distance, how often brakes are used-according to my tests. *The ABS light does NOT come on during preliminary start. When you turn the key and the vehicle goes through its ABS tests lights, ABS goes OUT.
Vehicle is in Tampa, FL parked in carport- we have high humidity and a lot of rain during FL summers. ABS light has not happened driving in rain not sure if this is a valuable variable or not.

It does sound like you may have a wheel sensor problem. What I would recommend would be to go to one of your local auto parts stores and have them scan your computer for codes. This will tell you what the computer is seeing. Without this it will be more of a guesssing game. See if you can get this done and let me know.

So I understand: you are talking about getting an OBD ScanTron handheld coder reader and (I can rent this at AutoZone-have done it before). However, I thought you only get code read outs if an idiot light stays on?

If your ABS light comes on at all it should set a code that will be stored in the system.

Coming home from work stopped at AutoZone. Picked up a Actron OBD II scanner.
Results: "PASS no codes returned"
No codes to erase.

So why did the ABS light come on-is it still a corroded or faulty wheel sensor in the wheel hub assembly (which I read needs to be replaced through purchasing an entire wheel hub assembly).

Advise.
**by the way 131,000 going on third set of rotors and pads, caliper never replaced.

Was the light on when you ran the test?

No, that's the point i made before...in my previous response.

If the computer is actually setting the light it should keep a history code. Does your scanner check for history codes? There is a service bulletin on this vehicle for the ABS motor pinion. But this will set a history code.

my answer would be no history codes through scanner, since I went through all of the scanners functions, it is a Abtron Scanner OBD II.
What type of scanner tool or test do i need to tell a dealer or auto shop so I dont get taken for mis dianogstic tests.
service bulletin? meaning the rack and pinion issue?

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