So... I just picked up a '94 Camaro V6 the other day... I noticed last night that the small light bulb that illuminates the rear license plate was burned out. So this morning, I bought a new bulb and put it in, and it lights up fine when the headlights are turned on. But now, since I did this, the ABS INOP lamp is on while I'm driving. If I turn the car off, then back on, but don't move, the lamp stays off. But as soon as I start driving, the ABS INOP lamp comes back on. I've read that there is some funky wiring associated with this lamp. Could it be that installing a new bulb on the license plate somehow caused it to come on? Any ideas on how to get it to stay off?

 

Don't think that light has anything to do with the ABS. There are some wires running down to the front wheel sensors. Check them to make sure they are not broken and the connections are clean. Also could have a bad wheel sensor.

 

Could be a burnt out third tail light too..

 

^^^ agree a burnt out brake lite will mess with the abs. have the brakes been working normal?

 

I'm just a noob, but it probably wouldn't hurt to check the model numbers on the new bulb and the number in the manual. Some crazy things will turn that light on.

 

I would normally agree... but it seems odd that it never came on until I fixed that bulb above the license plate.

My car is in the shop getting a new paint job, so I won't have access to it for a few days. I'll have to check a few things out when I get it back.

 

I got my car back from the shop, checked the center brake light, and sure enough, both bulbs were burned out. I replaced both bulbs, and like magic, the ABS INOP lamp no longer comes on. It seems so strange that the center brake light would have any effect on the ABS INOP lamp. Is there any good reason for this?

 

You can thank GM engineering for that "feature".
My ABS was fixed many years ago when a local cop pulled me over and told me to fix my center brake light. Up to that point I was scratching my head trying to figure out why the ABS lite was on.

 

I have a ford explorer that has one of those ballast 3rd brake lights that is not working. ABS light came on about the time it went out. I may have to try that to see if it fixes. Took it to the shop and they told me to drive it the cost of repairs would exceed the value of the vehicle.