Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: Service lights, olds cutlass, dashboard light

Question
I have a 97 olds silhouette.  The ABS & TCS lights on the dashboard light up today.  What does this mean?

Answer
Hello Catherine,
ABS is antilock brake system. Several things can turn that light on, anywhere from the high mount stoplight bulb being burnt out, to an internal problem in the brake system.
Usually it is something like the light, or low brake fluid.

It is possible that it is on because of the other light, which I think is the torque converter solenoid, although I am not sure of that.

A tire with low pressure might even turn the ABS light on, but I don't work on Silhouettes, so am not sure of any of these.
I did have the stop light/ABS thing happen on an Olds Cutlass, though. At least check them before taking it to a shop. Some of them will try to tell you your brakes are going to quit, and you need a new ABS controller.....for about a thousand dollars, so don't buy that. If the ABS system doesn't work, what you have is a regular old brake system like vehicles had for years, and it will stop just fine.

You might get an estimate from a brake shop, or Midas, though, to see if your pads are worn out, and maybe setting the light.

Van

Van