Anti-lock light on non abs car stays lit

[satnut24]

Hey everyone I have a 1994 saturn sl1 and was wondering what could cause the amber anti-lock light to light up? The car does not have abs or traction control. I'm just so confused can you guys help please?

[Macgyver]

I’m surprised it’s able to light up at all. I thought they don’t put bulbs in the speedometer for features that don’t exist in the model.

Maybe the gauge cluster was changed at one point? Either way, you could just remove the bulb from the ABS socket since it you have no ABS system for there to be a trouble for.

[satnut24]

Well i could do that but it just showed up after the car was sitting for a year, any other ideas?

[fdryer]

If there is an ABS light on, try pulling the ABS fuse - someone may have put one in there.............

[madpogue]

Hmm, removing the ABS fuse turns ON the ABS light in an ABS-equipped car. Not sure what it would do in a no-ABS car...

[fdryer]

Are you sure of this? Most of the wiring diagrams I examined seem to show the EBTCM, aka the ABS control unit as turning ON/OFF the ABS light in the instrument panel when the fuse is removed. This indicator as well as the air bag light are supposed to be wired directly from their respective modules, bypassing the pcm and any other modules. Its the only reason I sometimes suggest in some posts about troubleshooting ABS, removing the main ABS fuse to deliberately disable ABS (and turn off the ABS indicator) for testing brakes and isolating ABS issues (safely).

[madpogue]

May be a gen thing. Gen-2, the ABS light is powered by the IGN1 fuse. I've seen it come on when the ABS fuse is pulled. Gen-1 may be a simpler system as you describe. Sorry for the derail....

[fdryer]

Quite alright as the ABS indicator serves many purposes as our 'idiot' light and I use it in reference to ABS issues. Its reason enough for me to refer to wiring diagrams as much as possible for troubleshooting. I will have to review wiring again if you're right...............there are several ways the ABS indicates failure and I'm under the impression that removing the fuse turns off (removes all power to the ABS unit) and extinguishes the ABS light. As a totally separate subsystem to EFI, this indicator appears to be the only way to know if ABS is operating or not and in standby mode. The same for the airbag system.

[alordofchaos]

Originally Posted by Macgyver

I’m surprised it’s able to light up at all. I thought they don’t put bulbs in the speedometer for features that don’t exist in the model.

My gen 2 had ABS and Traction Control bulbs, and my car is equipped with neither. I think Saturn found it more efficient to put in extra bulbs than to separte instrument panels based on options.

Still no idea what to think about the empty spot for "Cat Over Temp"
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=154888

[Macgyver]

They’re already separated via the SOHC/DOHC speedometers with different redlines and a top MPH of 110 vs 130. Was there any SOHC model that came with ABS during that model time period?

GM could have saved 2 bulbs right there. It could’ve saved the company from bankruptcy! Lol ok, maybe not, but still a waste.

[gazingsoul]

ABS has always been an independent option on every model, regardless of other options. From 1993 forward, ABS included traction control if you had an automatic transmission.

Regarding instrument clusters, there were two - one for sohc and one of dohc, thats it. While a few cents could have been saved by leaving out unneeded bulbs, having to split the cluster batches up would add far more cost to production overall. This is standard practice in the whole industry. Kinda like having one standardized wire harness for all cars, regardless of particular options (or lack thereof) on individual cars.

Are you really sure your car doesn't have abs?

[alordofchaos]

Originally Posted by Macgyver

They’re already separated via the SOHC/DOHC speedometers with different redlines and a top MPH of 110 vs 130. Was there any SOHC model that came with ABS during that model time period?

I found a note in the Saturn model history that when the sedans and wagons, both SOHC and DOHC, chose the ABS option in 94-95, the rear brakes stayed drums (guessing the coupes got rear discs with the ABS option). So my guess is that ABS was an option throughout the model line.

GM could have saved 2 bulbs right there. It could’ve saved the company from bankruptcy! Lol ok, maybe not, but still a waste

On the plus side, built-in spares!

(there are spare fuses in the UHJB, which is cool)

[satnut24]

thanks everyone pulled the fuse and light went out so every thing is good now