Yes...I did a search (but get tired of looking and never see the same situation)

I have a 1990 S2 and this weekend I took the instrument cluster out to fix the tach by checking connections, cleaning electronics, etc (still does not work all the way, if I bump it goes on/off , will hold good after about 20min of driving).

I also replaced the two rear brake pad sensors (or should I say added, since the PO did not have them connected) - I did this the day before removing the instrument cluster and the antilock light did not come on, driving the car many times after.

so my questions:

Antilock Light - after putting back in my instrument cluster (for the fourth time today) The antilock light started coming on everytime I start the car. It goes away as soon as I start moving roughly above 10mph everytime.
- I checked the fuses in the panel

Question 1) : Could the brake pad sensors affect the Antilock light?
- What are reasons why the Antilock light comes on?

Question 2) : How do you check the ABS relay?

Question 3) : Could it be a fualty instrument cluster? (the back electronic film on the cluster looks in beat up shape and I still can't get the tach to work all the time, the charge reads at 12 instead of measured 12.5 - 13)


Airbag Light
After removing the airbag steering wheel the Airbag light comes on everytime I start the car for about 30 seconds or so. Then goes away.

I had to remove the airbag steering wheel (only 1 time, then figured out how to remove the instrument cluster without removing )
Couldn't remember how the red airbag plug was connected to the wheel (has a tail - not sure if it matters if it is pointing up or down when installed - it was able to be connected both ways)

Question 5 : Is the airbag light normal to be on when starting the car? (maybe it's supposed too...big maybe)

Question 6 : could the red plug that connects to the airbag on steering wheel be inserted upside down?

Question 7 : Do I need to do a reset? How? and anything else......


Thanks for everyones help....this car is a demon ... I would like to do something other than spend money/ more time on this car now .....anyone want to buy a 90 cab s2?? jk sort of

 

I]*Note[/I] - when I was trying to find a source of problem for tach, I installed the instrument cluster (third time) and tried wiggling connections while the car was on, this caused the charge reading gauge to drop, light up, so I turned off, disconnected battery, then checked connections, installed again, and turned back on this is when the antilock and ! came on.

Could I have blown/shorted something? or was it just coincidence?

 

I can address the airbag issue, it is perfectly normal for the light to turn on when you start the car. That is the system going through the self check. At least that is exactly what my 89 S2, and both my buddies's 968s.

Not sure about the antilock brake light. I have not seen that behaviour. But, and a big but here, the abs shouldn't actually initialize until you are moving about 8 mph. I would inspect and clean all the hall sensors and the rotors the sensors read from.

And good luck with the charge gauge. I have yet to see one read correctly. Best thing to do is check the voltage at the battery when it is running and calibrate your eyes to what the gauge reads.

 

Be sure and clean the ground connection inside the battery compartment, where it grounds to the frame. My gauges were erratic and it was this ground connection. Also check all your grounds.

 

Was planning to clean the grounds too.

 

To add to the problem with the antilock light -
--- The charge guage does not read and I noticed when my lights are on the gauge light is very dim.

Once I start moving about 5mph or so everything works - the antilock light goes off, the charge gauge works (althouh not accurate) and the gauge lights brighten back up.

Anyone have this problem before?

 

Brake pad sensors shouldn't affect the ABS light.

I checked my relay by pulling it and using wires to connect the leads to the battery. Listened for an audible click and determined it was ok. My ABS problem was that the socket in the relay panel was loose and wasn't allowing for full engagement of the relay.

One common problem that will cause the ABS light to come on would be a faulty wheel speed sensor, but you can check them by ohming them out at the ABS computer connection.

Doubt any of the above will relate to you but good info none the less.

 

Brake pad sensors shouldn't affect the ABS light.

I checked my relay by pulling it and using wires to connect the leads to the battery. Listened for an audible click and determined it was ok. My ABS problem was that the socket in the relay panel was loose and wasn't allowing for full engagement of the relay.

One common problem that will cause the ABS light to come on would be a faulty wheel speed sensor, but you can check them by ohming them out at the ABS computer connection.

Doubt any of the above will relate to you but good info none the less.