'02 LeSabre ABS Problem

Recently had a ABS problem. Problem appears solved...thought I'd post some of the details. Probably someone else will be going down the same road.

OK, wife on the road...calls me up...dash panel lit up like xmas tree!
ABS, traction, brake, error lights. I say, "Got pedal? Then, drive it home."

Pulled all wheels to check for any signs of a problem. Unplugged/replugged each sensor. No problems found. Fluid OK. Normal pedal. Only suspicious event was a lock-up stop (ABS engaged) less than 10 miles prior to the error lights.

So, now its time to read out the codes. Nobody reads brake codes for free that I know of so, rather than put $ down rat hole, ordered ABS and Check Engine testers from Amazon (Actron CP9449-ABS, $130 + Actron CP9175, $101). Drove car when needed while waiting. Cautious at first, but no problem. (Later found that the problem we had only causes loss of ABS function and nothing else...this may not be true for all instances of ABS error light problems and certainly not true for all cases of "brake" error light.)

Got tester(s) and read out codes. By now, we also had Check Engine light on...separate problem from ABS. Got these codes:
P0171 System too lean bank1 -current
C1214 System relay contacts or coil circuit open -current
C1245 Lo tire pressure detected -history
C1248 EBCM turned on red brake warning lamp -current

C1214 points to EBCM failure (which also causes C1248). The EBCM is the ABS "brain". It is located on the frame inboard and to the front of the LF wheel. It is attached to a modulator which has a pump and, under EBCM control, essentially distributes brake fluid pressure to each wheel in a ABS stop situation. I wanted to check the pump before fooling with the EBCM because I decided NOT to get into repairing anything on the modulator. You have to remove the splash guard in the front of the LF wheelwell to get to the modulator/EBCM assembly. Unplugged the pump cable. Connected 12V across the two pins going to the pump motor. (polarity does not matter) Pump ran OK. Next, removed EBCM cable and the EBCM itself (six screws).

Sent EBCM to ModuleMaster in Moscow,ID. They repaired and shipped back in less than a week for $166. including shipping and insurance. Installed it in the car...no more lights. End of story! 😀

Thanks for posting this. I got the same codes. Paid $35 to get them. HOWEVER, two different repair shops gave me a price of $1100 +$200 labor for a new ECBM/BPMV Assembly. I have been searching around and saw some places that would do rebuilds and found some working salvage for sale on Ebay for about $90. Well, this helped me decide to pull the assembly and send it off. I will use the shop you mentioned. Thanks again!

😀

chrlsrchrdsn said:

Thanks for posting this. I got the same codes. Paid $35 to get them. HOWEVER, two different repair shops gave me a price of $1100 +$200 labor for a new ECBM/BPMV Assembly. I have been searching around and saw some places that would do rebuilds and found some working salvage for sale on Ebay for about $90. Well, this helped me decide to pull the assembly and send it off. I will use the shop you mentioned. Thanks again!

😀

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Glad the post helped. My ABS has been trouble free since the EBCM repair. And my Check Engine P0171 code turned out to be a dirty MAF sensor which was a easy fix. Good luck! 🙂

Yep, I clean my MAF every year or two. It helps gas mileage. I bought one LeSabre that had two engine codes like you stated and bad mileage. Cleaned the MAF and it was a new car.

How do you clean a MAF? What do you use? I have an 03 Lesabre.

stormnBuick said:

How do you clean a MAF? What do you use? I have an 03 Lesabre.

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With brake/carb cleaner. Here is my original thread:
http://www.buickforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11999

glterpening said:

I wanted to check the pump before fooling with the EBCM because I decided NOT to get into repairing anything on the modulator. You have to remove the splash guard in the front of the LF wheelwell to get to the modulator/EBCM assembly. Unplugged the pump cable. Connected 12V across the two pins going to the pump motor. (polarity does not matter) Pump ran OK. Next, removed EBCM cable and the EBCM itself (six screws).

Sent pump to ModuleMaster in Moscow,ID. They repaired and shipped back in less than a week for $166. including shipping and insurance. Installed it in the car...no more lights. End of story! 😀

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Did you send the pump or the ECBM to get fixed? I thought the pump was working? How many miles on your car?

My ABS light has been coming on from time to time. I think the light has to be on to read the codes, no?

Hapynzap said:

Did you send the pump or the ECBM to get fixed? I thought the pump was working? How many miles on your car?

My ABS light has been coming on from time to time. I think the light has to be on to read the codes, no?

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Sent the EBCM for repair. Sorry for the error in my post. (Did not notice until you mentioned it!) The car had 58,000 miles when the ABS failed.

If your light has been coming on, more than likely there will be "history" codes in the computer that will read out with a ABS code tester. My old codes are still in there. (My understanding is that it takes a special tester to erase them.) Have not had any further problems with the ABS since the repair.

You could check the sensor cables at each wheel, but gettting the codes read out is the best way to get a handle on it. Good luck!

Gerald

I had the three lights come on this past winter right after my '03 skidded on an icy part of my driveway, and ABS hasn't worked since, along with the lights remaining on full-time.

It was braking just fine for 3-4 months, until recently when it started giving me the impression the pads were almost gone. I changed the front pads tonight, but again after a short while of good results the pulsating sensation returned. Why is the EBCM so damn expensive?

Is it possible that the innards for this piece have solder spots that just went bad, similar to blower motor modules (had '91 Town Car that I fixed)? Eric.

cougar-67 said:

I had the three lights come on this past winter right after my '03 skidded on an icy part of my driveway, and ABS hasn't worked since, along with the lights remaining on full-time.

It was braking just fine for 3-4 months, until recently when it started giving me the impression the pads were almost gone. I changed the front pads tonight, but again after a short while of good results the pulsating sensation returned. Why is the EBCM so damn expensive?

Is it possible that the innards for this piece have solder spots that just went bad, similar to blower motor modules (had '91 Town Car that I fixed)? Eric.

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Since you say the ABS light remains on, I am assuming the pulsating you feel is not related to ABS. Maybe you may have a rotor problem.

The key is getting those codes read so you know what's going on. It is possible that the car is unsafe to drive with the ABS and Brake lights both on. In my case, only the EBCM was bad, but there are other reasons for the lights to come on.

I believe you may be right about the solder problem. Anyway, having the module rebuilt was not too expensive and it has been working great for almost 2 years, now.

Gerald

@glterpening

I hate to revive an Old thread...

But today when I took off my EBCM off of my 2002 Buick Lesabre, I started having other issues. Power Locks do not work, power windows only work when car is running. Security light and airbag light stay on. None of these issues were present before taking the EBCM off to send for repair. I unhooked the battery before removing the EBCM, just to be sure I wouldnt fry anything. Did you have any similar issues when you had your EBCM off for repair?

Thanks

Sorry, but nope, there were no problems that came up when I removed/replaced the EBCM. Come to think of it, I never even turned on the ignition after removing it...just left it on jack stands and plugged the repaired module back in when it was shipped back.

Were your codes the same:
C1214 System relay contacts or coil circuit open -current
C1248 EBCM turned on red brake warning lamp -current

Is your battery fully charged? Do you have any other codes?

Gerald

I don't recall what the codes were, but I'm pretty sure they were the same as yours. I actually had all of my lights come on back in August, and thats when I had it scanned and got the numbers, and came across this post. After a few days, the lights turned off...until the other day... now they are back on. The only other code I have relates to the MAF sensor needing to be cleaned. 0171 i think?

I didn't have any of these other problems until after I took the EBCM, I sent module master an email asking if it is normal for something like this to happen, and the tech was gone for the day, but the lady replied that she seemed to think that sometimes there are wires that are tied into other things. So I'm hoping that maybe there is a ground wire or some wire that is connected with the PCU that is making everything act goofy. Battery is fully charged, was the first thing I checked. I actually had to disconnect the battery because the lights that illuminate the window buttons and passenger air temp lights would not turn off.

Hopefully within a week once I have my EBCM back, I plug it in and everything is back to normal. When I try using my code reader now..it gives me a link error. I haven't had time to test it on another vehicle to see if it's the unit, or my car giving me the problem when reading.

You might double check your battery connections.

I had the MAF sensor problem, too. There is a link to that fix earlier in this thread.

Good luck!

Gerald

In case anyone is searching the forum in the future, all of the weird problems went away as soon as I got the module back and plugged back in.

I have an 04 LeSabre Limited with the JL4 stabilitrak/ABS package. The car has new bearing hubs all around due to mileage 160K. The ABS and Stabilitrak light comes on only when I start to move forward in drive. The light does not come on in reverse or while in Park. Was your issue the same? I suspect the Module is the issue as the car stops and drives fine. The ABS/Stabilitrak warning light issue was happening before the bearing hubs were replaced. The cables to the speed control sensors looked fine when I replaced the hubs and my experience is if a speed sensor ABS cable is bad or damaged, the ABS light is on all the time or at least intermittently regardless of forward, reverse or Park. Thanks,

It's a 5 year old post doubt a response will be coming shortly. Professional shops can do a ABS scan if it's a direction you want to take, but checking all connections, relays and fuses may be a good option for a DIY project. If brake fluid or lines have been done a slim chance the ABS unit may have gotten air and needs bleeding by a scan tool, doubt this is the problem but tossing it out there.

glterpening said:

With brake/carb cleaner. Here is my original thread:
'02 LeSabre Check Engine light - P0171 Code

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DO NOT USE BRAKE OR CARB CLEANER ON A MAF SENSOR---EVER, THERE IS A MAF CLEANER THAT IS SENSOR SAFE