2002 Buick Century Logo
Posted on Jul 12, 2008
Answered by a Fixya Expert

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2002 Buick Century anti-lock brake problems

Anti-lock brake lights came on, so put new anti-lock brakes on the car. After that the anti- lock light was still on and so was the service vehicle soon light. Can't figure it out.

  • 15 more comments 
  • Anonymous Jul 20, 2008

    False ABS problem light created by chafed wiring on left side (driver) harness where it rubs on tie rod bolts. Buick has a retrofit to replace/extend harness

  • Anonymous Jul 24, 2008

    Just had the same anti lock light problem on a 2002 Buick Century. I will go to the dealer and see what the computer says and post an update.

  • caroleanne13 Aug 04, 2008

    Anti-lock brake light comes on periodically. mechanic wants to replace brakes for $1500. Buick Century 2000.

  • rhonda601 Aug 07, 2008

    anti-lock sensor on dash is sporatic. brakes are fine ,wiring to wheels seem to check out, had diagnostic run. how can i dis-engage to have light go out.

  • teagirl Aug 26, 2008

    I was having the same problem. I took my car to the Buick dealer and the test came back showing a problem with the front left sensor. I had this replaced and yet the lights came on the very next day and I started to experience the humming again at times. I took it back in and it was loose wiring? There was no charge the second time around. I pick my car up later today and I hope the matter will be over!

  • evilluc Nov 11, 2008

    I have the same problem, My ABS light is on, occasionally, and as soon as it turns on my brake problems seem to kinda go away, But when its not on, i can hear it making the humming noises, very mechanical sounding. Some one told me this may be from the sensor screwing up because its connected to your struts, and if your struts go bad it trips the sensor off. She had a buick and replaced her struts and the problem went away, I'm not sure if thats the fix, and i havent tried it myself, but i was wondering if anyone else could confirm that.

  • Anonymous Nov 19, 2008

    Same problem.

  • Anonymous Dec 13, 2008

    I was dealing with the same problem. I had my hub bearing replace about 4 times and the problem went away for a year or so.

  • Anonymous Dec 15, 2008

    i have a similar problem abs light, trac off, service vehicle soon, squeaky brakes, let me know what u find out, thanks
    jennakline1979@yahoo.com

  • terrims Mar 02, 2009

    After a rain or damp weather the ABS lights come on. First it makes a grinding noise, then both lights appear. The sensor has been replaced in Canada for $1500. After two months the lights appeared again. This time the dealership said the back brakes needed to be replaced, another $1000. We refused and continue to drive the car.

  • larrypaulala Mar 09, 2009

    The light for the anti- lock brakes has come on and is staying on. We had the breaks checked and they are fine. We thought it might be the sinsor

  • Anonymous Apr 15, 2009

    same thing on mine I replaced my brakes and they hesitate sometimes and recently started sqeaking, and I have the same problem with the service engine light and trac off

  • Anonymous May 11, 2009

    same problem with the ABS spent several hundred to fix and still not right also grinding noise when brakes on put on front drivers side

  • majoka303 May 14, 2009

    same exact problem, check engine,anti-lock,and tran off lights, brakes are new,computer shows no codes

  • robert aldrich Sep 01, 2013

    agree abs wire chaffed and shorted. break pad have nothing to do with sensor

  • Anonymous Mar 31, 2014

    Why the brake Anti lock brake system light come on the insert panel

  • Jerry Ross
    Jerry Ross May 16, 2022

    You may have to reset the engine light once u figure out the sender problem.

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  • Posted on Jun 15, 2009
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I recently had this problem too, except i had all the lights on (ABS, service vehicle, trac-off, AND service engine) they are all easy to fix without spending more than 20-30$ for labour (depending how much your mechanic charges you) mine did it for free and he found out why the engine light is on afterwards too. so to fix all these lights (abs, trac-off, and service vehicle you MUST get another ABS cable (i went to a garage, they were towing a GM vehicle to the junk yard so i grabbed some scissors and cut BOTH abs cables on each side (good thing i did because one was bad) and braught them to my mechanic. the reason the lights come on is probably a defect or in my case my mechanic said it was salt buildup in the wires (on the drivers side) so he cut the wire off and rewired the new one and BOOM all the lights came off (service vehicle, abs, and trac-off) now for my service engine it says catalytic converter but im trying to put some fuel system cleaner to help it out i read somewhere that this is a defect of the car, so if you dont have that light yet, SELL your car ASAP for as much as you can get for it (after fixing the lights of course) and always google (car name+recalls) in the search bar to see what youre getting into, take care

  • 1 more comment 
  • Anonymous Oct 08, 2012

    where can i Find this ABS cable Please... i have search countless of times on the internet but never seem to find exactly what i am looking for. Response would be greatly appreciated

  • Anonymous Oct 08, 2012

    where do i find this ABS Cable on the Buick. I have tried countless of times searching for the exact location on the internet but i cant seem to find it. Yes i know that it is on the Driver side, but where to be exact. Response would be greatly appreciated. Thank You

  • robert aldrich Sep 01, 2013

    you can get one fromany parts store. location is on inside of hub, what your weel bolts to. find it and follow it to the wiring harness cut wire at harness splice in new wire at that point follow it back to the hub and plug in the new connector fof the sensor.

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  • Buick Master 2,061 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 12, 2008
Pierre Laplante
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Get the computer pass on the car anti lock means abs problem its a sensor with computer you gonna fix it let me know hope it help fixya our post thank pierre

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  • Posted on Jan 21, 2009
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If the wheel hub does not fix it the problem is more than likely the wire harness for the wheel speed sensor is bad. around 70 bucks for the wire

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  • Posted on Jul 14, 2010
Perry Hagen
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I have had same problem! First time it needed new wheel hub n sensor,that fixed it. Next time it was abs wire harness that fixed it,did it again and was abs wire harness on other side!

  • 3 more comments 
  • pierre bonture Sep 22, 2010

    These cars are known for this! They are also electrical nightmares!

  • Perry Hagen
    Perry Hagen May 24, 2014

    these cars are junk!

  • Perry Hagen
    Perry Hagen Jan 14, 2015

    I would never buy another one of these GM nightmares!

  • Perry Hagen
    Perry Hagen Oct 08, 2015

    This cars dash was like a Christmas tree. Lit up bright as s--t all the time.

  • Perry Hagen
    Perry Hagen Nov 16, 2018

    These cars are trouble.Dont buy one if you can help it!

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  • Posted on Jun 18, 2010
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Have 2003 century. anti-lock, service engine light come on, usually while stopping. turn engine off and restart engine. problem goes away. happens at random. Complete new brake job. no change.

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The real problem with many 2002-ish GM (Chevy/Buick/Olds/Pontiac) ABS light on is that the wiring running from where the Wheel speed sensor is plugged into all the way to the ECM is bad. If you have this issue take and pull the wires out of the loom near the wheel connector and pull with some force and the wire will just break! You will see black crumbly wire inside the insulator. GM used low grtade wire for these wires and with age they just crumble. They need to be replaced! The whole wire from the connector at the wheel all the way to the ECM. The ECM end is a danger spot for the untrained person so get professional help on that end. This will solve those annoying ABS, Service lights once and for all. Show this post to your mechanic if you have to keep going back for a returning ABS light.

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  • Posted on Oct 08, 2015
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Change both hubs.check the harness. Problem solved!

A

Anonymous

I have a 2002 buick century .Like many hear I also have trhe abs light come on and no traction controll light come on and service vechile soon light. I had it check out at an auto achool and they said I have plenty of pad left on my brakes the only reason why the lights pop up is because different speedration on each tire.However My brakes squeek and doe;nt sound like it wants to stop the brake pedal pushes back towards driver also it is very squeekie when first moving car out onto road after a few miles it quit downs .If anyone can help email me at feetball2007@yahh.com

  • Perry Hagen
    Perry Hagen May 24, 2014

    Your wheel speed sensors bad or your wheel speed sensor wiring harness is bad!

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