Red brake light and amber anti-lock lights on

[Arizona Hardbody92]

ok so I was driving my '92 4x4 hardbody thru a flooded street when I had to brake. When I did, both brake and anti-lock lights came on. Later on that day it was still on, I drove on freeway fast for a few miles and it went off. I thought problem was fixed but now when I start up in the morning the red light goes on, and when I start moving the amber light goes on. Whats funny, is that if I brake hard on the road the lights will go out after a couple more pumps of the pedal. Chilton's sez that when the lights are on to ground out the corner terminal of the connector to left of pedal and count the light flashes. When I do it does not flash any codes. I tried the terminal they said and all the others and nothing.and no, the parking brake is not on help please!

[Big-Bird]

The D21's are kinda wired funny and here's something from personal experience with my previous 95 D21 Hardbody 4x4 that I went through a river with.

When the charging system acts up (alternator specifically) the red warning light for the brakes will come on. Since you went through a flooded street chances are that water got into the alternator and it may have been damaged. Get the charging system and battery checked.

The amber light is usually caused by the brake fluid being low, and its low for one of 2 reasons. A) There's a leak somewhere. Look for puddles where you park (OR)B) The brakes are due for service (Pads and or shoes are low).

If the reservoir is low you should inspect your brakes before you try adding more brake fluid to the reservoir. The reason I say this is brake fluid dissolves paint and when you finally do the brake job the reservoir will overflow when the brake's pistons in the calipers get pushed back. Your inner fender wells and firewall will hate you the next day.

If the reservoir isn't low it's probably an electrical issue with the ABS itself and a proper code scan may be required.

[Arizona Hardbody92]

I had a clogged brake actuator and no fluid was gettin to the rears

[Rev_D21]

First gen Altimas would warn the driver of a failed alternator the same way.

[Q451990]

Same with the Q45.

Heath

[natedogg1995XE]

My 95 XE just started doing this yesterday. both the ABS and Brake light came on and stayed on for maybe 5 minutes, then shut off then came on again for maybe 5 minutes. this happened again this morning on my way to work, a 35 minute drive.
How can I know if it's the alternator? I don't have any diagnostic tools, can I bring it in to parts store and have them check the alternator?

Other things I should check?

[Q451990]

A parts store should diagnose it for free.

If you have a volt meter (and for free with a coupon at Harbor Freight everyone should) a quick and dirty test is that the battery should read about 12.5VDC at rest, not drop below 12VDC or so during starting... and around 14.0+14.5VDC with the truck running (lights and accessories off).

Good luck!

Heath

[natedogg1995XE]

So, I took the 95 XE to Autozone and it's not the alternator that's turning those lights on. But I noticed something when I was driving home.. The lights would only go on when I was turning right and then the lights would go off when I straightened out or turned left.. so bizarre. Has anyone ever seen this? Is there a sensor that needs to be replaced?

[Adverse Effects]

So, I took the 95 XE to Autozone and it's not the alternator that's turning those lights on. But I noticed something when I was driving home.. The lights would only go on when I was turning right and then the lights would go off when I straightened out or turned left.. so bizarre. Has anyone ever seen this? Is there a sensor that needs to be replaced?

that to me sounds like a wire getting hooked and pulled on them turning right

it could be under the dash or under the bonnet

[natedogg1995XE]

That sounds like a pain. Where would I even start to look for that? I'd hate to pull apart my dash.. Define 'bonnet'.. I'm not sure what you mean. Thanks!

[Adverse Effects]

That sounds like a pain. Where would I even start to look for that? I'd hate to pull apart my dash.. Define 'bonnet'.. I'm not sure what you mean. Thanks!

sorry i am an Aussie Bonnet = hood = the motor is under it i would start under the car at the front looking at the steering rack and lower steering colum up to the firewall and see is any of the wiring is touching the moving parts (when the steering wheel is turned) if nothing is touching then you move inside the car and look under the dash for the same thing wires getting hooked on the moving parts

this is all only a guess on what you said about it only happening when you turn right and stops when you turn the other way

an easy way to check if it is just when you turn right jack up the front of the car and start the car and turn it lock to lock and see if it dose it at the same time every time you turn the wheel

[AJ.VALENTE]

Something to check; Last time the Anti-lock light on my '97 came on it was because of low brake fluid.

[natedogg1995XE]

Something to check; Last time the Anti-lock light on my '97 came on it was because of low brake fluid.

Yeah, I actually noticed that this weekend as I checked under the bonnet/Hood. haha! I'm looking a little low. so hopefully topping that off will help. thanks for the input.