Saturn Repair: ABS, saturn l200, abs brakes

Question
Hello Jim and thanks for taking my question.

I have a 2002 Saturn L200 with about 65,000 miles on it.  Sunday, after having the car sit without being started for two days, I went to crack it and it was totally dead -- no dome light, no lights on the dash, etc.  The batter was only 9 months old.  Now here in the desert (Las Vegas) batteries usually have a shorter life, but they usually go out in the summer because of the heat.

The reason I tell you this is thus.  I called AAA who jumped the battery and ran a diagnostic on the car.  It showed battery dead, starter and alternator fine, and no leakage.  He replaced the battery and I thought all was fine.

I started the car this morning for my commute and the ABS light came on.  I backed out of the garage, got the car up to about 30 and jammed on the brakes.  The light went out but I didn't feel the "pulse" in the pedal like I usually do when the ABS kicks in.  Once in the commute I had to slam the brakes in real life.  Once again, no pulse felt.

My question -- could the changing of the battery have caused the ABS to go out or is this just coincidence?  If so, how?  As mentioned previously I live in Las Vegas so there is little need for ABS to avoid either wet or icy road skids, and I really am not financially able to incur a large repair bill at this time.  Do ABS brakes operate like regular brakes when the ABS goes out (if that is what has happened).  Any insight would be much appreciated.

Thanks again,

Randall

Answer
Hello so sorry for the delay I have 2 sick kids at home. Well for the gOod news If there is a defect within the abs system it has no affect on the regular base brakes they will work fine. The loss of battery voltage could have set certain trouble codes that may have turned off the abs brakes. Also low voltage will turn on the abs light. Make certain the alternator is putting out the proper voltage. If he checked it and said its ok then I'd have to say wait a certain amount of ignition cyles for the trouble codes to clear up unless you have access to a scanner were you could clear any codes. Then retest the abs system. Good luck and let me know how you make out!