ABS module replacement

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Does anyone have any first hand experience replacing one of these? Researching the interweb you get different answers. Some say it needs to be programmed and some say it doesn’t.

 

[Signal73]

Does your vehicle fall under the recall or no?

• 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab
• 2017-2018 Ram 4500
• 2017-2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab

 

[Ozymandias]

Absolutely it needs programming, even the predecessor needed it.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Does your vehicle fall under the recall or no?

• 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab
• 2017-2018 Ram 4500
• 2017-2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab

Nope, mine’s a ‘14.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Absolutely it needs programming, even the predecessor needed it.

What does the programming entail? Can Alfa be used to do the programming?

 

[Wiredawg]

Does anyone have any first hand experience replacing one of these? Researching the interweb you get different answers. Some say it needs to be programmed and some say it doesn’t.

Yep, had one replaced under factory warranty and had one fail on my dime ($2,000). I received recall notice, which had reimbursement instructions if I paid the repair. Filed the claim January 19th, so going to call Monday for a status.

 

[Ozymandias]

What does the programming entail? Can Alfa be used to do the programming?

I believe that should be doable, please check in Alfa if this Option is given for your vehicle in the ABS folder.

To give more insight, the electronic/electric part of ABS unit itself comes as a blank unit that fits several different vehicles with all kinds of weights and different hardware configurations, only the programming allows the unit to know in which vehicle it is installed and work along the given parameters.

The mechanical/hydraulic part of the unit can be exchanged without any problems, it is just a part.

 

[Topzide]

@Ozymandias, Looks like it is doable in Alfa. There is a tab that says ABS initialization. Says for initialize the ABS ECU after ECU or related component replacement.
This is another reason that I always suggest that other RAM owners get AlfaOBD! It's such a great tool in the toolbox for our trucks.

 

[mjlexus]

Does your vehicle fall under the recall or no?

• 2017-2018 Ram 2500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Pickup
• 2017-2018 Ram 3500 Chassis Cab
• 2017-2018 Ram 4500
• 2017-2018 Ram 5500 Chassis Cab

Is there a time or mileage for this recall? my 2018 with 80,000 miles just sent this code. I have the ABS service control Flashing on dash.

 

[Topzide]

Recalls are there for the life of the vehicle. Call your dealer to set up time to get it done. Only time or mileage limits are for any "extra" warranty that they may offer after preforming a recall. Also, if your vehicle is in the recall, don't let them charge for check out fee! Diagnostics is covered under the recalls. Hope your dealer will get it squared away quickly for you.

 

[PRS]

@Ozymandias, Looks like it is doable in Alfa. There is a tab that says ABS initialization. Says for initialize the ABS ECU after ECU or related component replacement.
This is another reason that I always suggest that other RAM owners get AlfaOBD! It's such a great tool in the toolbox for our trucks.

Anyone know if Jscan has this capability?

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I believe that should be doable, please check in Alfa if this Option is given for your vehicle in the ABS folder.

To give more insight, the electronic/electric part of ABS unit itself comes as a blank unit that fits several different vehicles with all kinds of weights and different hardware configurations, only the programming allows the unit to know in which vehicle it is installed and work along the given parameters.

The mechanical/hydraulic part of the unit can be exchanged without any problems, it is just a part.

I changed out the abs unit today. My new one did not come with the electronics, I took mine off the original and put it on the new unit. This job would be very simple, if, I didn’t live in the Rust Belt. The truck has 180K miles on it and I’ve taken pretty good care of it. That being said, not one of the line would come out of the top of the abs unit. The fittings were seized to the lines. When the fittings turned, the lines turned with. Ended up cutting all the lines at the fittings and drilling the fittings out and reflarring all the lines. Works for now, but I will be replacing all the lines when they come in.

So, Alfa allowed me to clear all the stored codes and run four of the five tests needed to initialize the unit. It would not let me start the abs unit initialization test. I’m guessing because I reused the electronics for the original unit that were already set up for the truck? This was my first time using Alfa so I’m not real familiar with it.
On another note, I drove the truck and everything seems to be working as it should?!

 

[Ozymandias]

Heaven help don't do that!!!! That unit is pre-bleed from the factory!
You just do a normal* brake bleeding procedure after the install and everything is perfect!! They come that way for a reason.

By using that bleeding option there is a good chance that you actually force air into the unit and it takes a gallon of brake fluid to to flush that back out into the line and bleed it then again.

*by normal bleeding I mean either pressure or vacuum procedure, not the brake pedal push method.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

Heaven help don't do that!!!! That unit is pre-bleed from the factory!
You just do a normal* brake bleeding procedure after the install and everything is perfect!! They come that way for a reason.

By using that bleeding option there is a good chance that you actually force air into the unit and it takes a gallon of brake fluid to to flush that back out into the line and bleed it then again.

*by normal bleeding I mean either pressure or vacuum procedure, not the brake pedal push method.

What exactly are you telling me not to do?

 

[Topzide]

@TRAMPLINEMAN, Did you save an original configuration of your truck in AlfaOBD? If not, you need to do this, that way if something goes sideways, you can restore it. I would save this file to a thumb drive or SD card. I also printed mine out, and have in a folder with everything that I have changed from original highlighted. Just some tips and tricks with AlfaOBD.

 

[Diesel85]

@TRAMPLINEMAN, Did you save an original configuration of your truck in AlfaOBD? If not, you need to do this, that way if something goes sideways, you can restore it. I would save this file to a thumb drive or SD card. I also printed mine out, and have in a folder with everything that I have changed from original highlighted. Just some tips and tricks with AlfaOBD.

This is the best advise right here.

I've seen a few folks regret even touching AlfaOBD without making backups first.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

@TRAMPLINEMAN, Did you save an original configuration of your truck in AlfaOBD? If not, you need to do this, that way if something goes sideways, you can restore it. I would save this file to a thumb drive or SD card. I also printed mine out, and have in a folder with everything that I have changed from original highlighted. Just some tips and tricks with AlfaOBD.

We did save it on an SD card. Thank you for suggesting that tho.

 

[Ozymandias]

I mentioned it way earlier in this thread that you don't have to do anything to the Computer if you exchange the hydraulic part of the system. Sadly that question then wasn't answered otherwise I'd have given instructions right then and there.

The rest to it I said, do not use that ABS bleed functionality in Alfa if you install a new unit, it is counterproductive to do so.
Lucky you it didn't work and you have a fine working brake now, it could have ended the other way around.
The "bleed ABS" function is only there as a very last resort if someone messes up greatly with the brake system, under normal circumstances and maintenance you never have air entering the internal fluid circuits of the unit because they are all sealed to the normal brake circuit.

I have no idea why you even came up with all that if you didn't even touch the electronic part of the ABS system. As always, don't touch a running system.

 

[TRAMPLINEMAN]

I mentioned it way earlier in this thread that you don't have to do anything to the Computer if you exchange the hydraulic part of the system. Sadly that question then wasn't answered otherwise I'd have given instructions right then and there.

The rest to it I said, do not use that ABS bleed functionality in Alfa if you install a new unit, it is counterproductive to do so.
Lucky you it didn't work and you have a fine working brake now, it could have ended the other way around.
The "bleed ABS" function is only there as a very last resort if someone messes up greatly with the brake system, under normal circumstances and maintenance you never have air entering the internal fluid circuits of the unit because they are all sealed to the normal brake circuit.

I have no idea why you even came up with all that if you didn't even touch the electronic part of the ABS system. As always, don't touch a running system.

I either missed it or miss read your earlier post, that’s on me. I did not click into the ABS bleed option. The options I clicked into were for traction control, ride stability, g force something and abs initialization.
Well, I didn’t have a running system. After installing the new unit, it still had stored codes and dash lights on. We went thru and tried clearing the codes multiple times with no luck. After a google search we found others had the same problem. We followed what they did by running those tests, which all passed, then the codes finally cleared. I now have working cruise control, 4wd and traction control and the brakes work great. Oh, I forgot to mention, we power bled the brakes.

 

[Ozymandias]

Thanks for the insight of what actually was the problem.