This sound unreasonable? They basically said $100 buys 1 hour of diagnostic time. My ABS light is on and the ABS isn't functioning. While I had the car up for the fuel pump change, I used diaeltictric grease on the 4 connectors, but unfortunately it didn't help.

Unfortunately, for ABS problems you may be stuck. Unless I'm sorely mistaken, ABS scans are dealer/mechanic only.

I'd call aroung, though, to see if anyone can do it cheaper.

$80 is typical. Minimum one hour at the standard shop rate.

Defiently call around and compare prices -- you may find some shops that will scan codes for free, and then they will upsell diagnostic time if so needed. Majority of the time, ABS codes are on for a bad wheel speed sensor. Your ABS codes will most likely have two or three codes, all related to one wheel. If that'* the case, ::swish:: you need a hub. If it'* something more technical (for example, P1669 - ABS Unit Expected), you'll need further diagnostic tests to determine the cause of the failure.

Time for some specifics. Most shops that read codes for free are reading PCM codes, and aren't capable of reading ABS codes.

Also only about 50 percent of the time (in my 3 years of observation here) are the wheel speed sensors at fault. It'* always a good idea to check/clean these connections at all 4 hubs as a troubleshooting step, but nearly half of all ABS failures will be related to the very expensive and PITA to change PMV assembly. It'* common after a few years for the solonoids to deteriorate on the gate valves inside.

On the Bonneville, the ABS code was for the speed sensor ring that was cracked.

On my 2003 Malibu, it was set off by a bad wheel speed sensor. So I had to have the hub changed ( since it is the one piece unit). Funny thing is that, the particular hub in question was changed under warranty with a GM unit cause the HUB was bad.

I beg to differ, Will.

I agree that most shops will only scan PCM codes. I will offer this though, it is defiently worth calling around and asking. Just for reference for those MN guys, my shop reads codes for free
/shameless plug

And I also offer that in my years of experience, the wheel speed sensor is at fault closer to 75% of the time. The rest of the time, the fault (at least with WSS codes) is excessive corrosion where the wires go into the body side of the WSS connector. Other ABS codes haven't had a consistent pattern, at least with my years in independent shops.

My VAST experience is particularly with H bodies only, so your shop may have a different experience in the % of failure game.

FYI, both of my cars have bad PMV'* right now. But I could give a rat'* ***, because quite frankly, I'd rather not RELY on ABS or Traction, in case it ever dumps just at the damn moment I need it.

I used to think the same thing, till I had a few winter experiences with the Malibu and the ABS saved my ***. Then when my sensor went on the passenger side and it was dead for a few months ( summer) I just hoped I didn't have to stop that hard. I actually locked up at least once in the rain cause it was dead.

I was also the same person that unplugged the ABS computer on my truck, but it was only rear wheel abs and the rear always wanted to be in the front, so it was useless.

Winters here are pretty bitter. Black is is a major problem here like no other place in the West. It'* invisible, and the worst driving surface bar none. I still don't miss my ABS or traction. I've siped my tires, and it really makes up the difference.