ABS PSM LIGHT SOLVED - Always start with the simple stuff first...
03-02-2010, 12:04 PM
#1
Three Wheelin'
Thread Starter
ABS PSM LIGHT SOLVED - Always start with the simple stuff first...
Ok so over the weekend I changed out my rear bulbs to the Philips Vision Plus bulbs that claim to light 30% faster than normal incandescent bulbs. The added benefit is that at night the lights look much brighter and crisper.
But I noticed the right side rear brake light would not come on so yesterday evening I proceeded to try to change the bulb thinking it was a defective bulb with an old bulb. As I was alone I put a brick on the brake pedal (yes stupid me) so that I wouldn't have to go back and forth.
I switched bulbs and of course still no go - but all of a sudden I have NO brake lights whatsoever.
So I start the car and I get a ABS PSM error message and it says to please go to the service center immediately and I freak out!!!
I searched the forum and like 60% of the posts say to change the MAF???
Then another 40% say change the battery or change the brake light switch.
My battery is fine, I take out the durametric - no MAF codes - but I do get a "Pressure Sensor Switch" error - and I think it's the brake light switch. I get under the pedals and after contorting myself like a circus performer I manage to remove the brake light switch. I get contact cleaner and lubricant and try to massage it back to life. I replace it, and VOILA!!! NOTHING!!!! Still get the same error. So I'm sitting there thinking either I have a bad switch or the ABS PSM computer is fried :-(
As I was about to pack it up for the night and planning on an early morning visit to the dealer to get a new brake light switch, I glanced at the fuse box and I found the fuse for the brake lights/cruise control - and it's burned out.
I replace the fuse, and all the errors disappear and 2 of my 3 brake lights work.
I remove the rear light again and look at the socket and one terminal is BROKEN! I realize when I was removing my old bulb it must have broken off one of the terminals in the socket and so I bent the end all the way up to contact the bulb and it's all good.
I am so relieved.
So lesson I learned is start with the basics - I can't believe I forgot the basics of always checking the fuse first.
But I noticed the right side rear brake light would not come on so yesterday evening I proceeded to try to change the bulb thinking it was a defective bulb with an old bulb. As I was alone I put a brick on the brake pedal (yes stupid me) so that I wouldn't have to go back and forth.
I switched bulbs and of course still no go - but all of a sudden I have NO brake lights whatsoever.
So I start the car and I get a ABS PSM error message and it says to please go to the service center immediately and I freak out!!!
I searched the forum and like 60% of the posts say to change the MAF???
Then another 40% say change the battery or change the brake light switch.
My battery is fine, I take out the durametric - no MAF codes - but I do get a "Pressure Sensor Switch" error - and I think it's the brake light switch. I get under the pedals and after contorting myself like a circus performer I manage to remove the brake light switch. I get contact cleaner and lubricant and try to massage it back to life. I replace it, and VOILA!!! NOTHING!!!! Still get the same error. So I'm sitting there thinking either I have a bad switch or the ABS PSM computer is fried :-(
As I was about to pack it up for the night and planning on an early morning visit to the dealer to get a new brake light switch, I glanced at the fuse box and I found the fuse for the brake lights/cruise control - and it's burned out.
I replace the fuse, and all the errors disappear and 2 of my 3 brake lights work.
I remove the rear light again and look at the socket and one terminal is BROKEN! I realize when I was removing my old bulb it must have broken off one of the terminals in the socket and so I bent the end all the way up to contact the bulb and it's all good.
I am so relieved.
So lesson I learned is start with the basics - I can't believe I forgot the basics of always checking the fuse first.
Last edited by roadsession; 03-02-2010 at 12:20 PM.
