Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) ABS and BRAKE light on

[RJ2]

Both brake and abs lights stay on . Noticed this started right after I towed a strange trailer for someone. The trailer light connector pin was in sad shape and when I tried the lights out on the trailer ,they looked very dim . I disconnected the batteries to try and reset it. The brakes seem to be working fine. I need to run the truck across state , and figured that it was just the anti lock function that is out. Appreciate any thoughts on this. Thanks RJ

 

[Happy Camper]

When that happened to me it was a blown fuse. The fuse was located in the fuse panel on the drivers side below the A pillar.



Hope this is all it is for you. A pain until it works.

 

[RJ2]

Is it all right to make a trip with this on?

 

[illflem]

A brake system trouble code stays with you for fifty key on/off cycles and unlike other codes will keep the warning lights on till reset. Makes sense when you think about it, functioning brakes are sort of important! On my '95s even disconnecting the batteries for six hours still left me with the warning lights on until I reached the magic 50 then they went out. Two times it was caused by funky trailer wiring, no blown fuses, once from me removing the ABS relay to see what it was like without anti-locks. Main problem other than the distracting lights is making sure your parking brake is released. I never tried but assume you could reset the code by turning the key off/on fifty times.

 

[RJ2]

Hi Illflem, Thanks for the reply, I was going to go to the dealer tommorro but maybe I should wait. I did not take the truck on the trip because I was not sure it would be safe. Had no idea it was so critical on the trailer wiring hookup. When I looked at the trailer lights they were dim so I thought it was losing the ground . Is there a way to put in and isolation , to keep that from happening? I have no blown fuses, I am wondering if after that trouble code comes on ,is there a chance that everything is still allright and just wipe that code out or should I leave it for the dealer to figure out what is wrong?

I really hate the thought of the dealer doing any reprograming .

I was going to take out the speed sensor but there was no speedometer malfunctions. RJ

 

[illflem]

I wouldn't stick my neck out by saying there is nothing wrong with your brakes but if it was me I'd wait for the light to go out, no dealer. Like I said above you only have to a one second malfunction to set a trouble code that will last though 50 starts. If the dealer will read the code for free, some will, go for it.

 

[Thomas 01]

Had that problem

Had the same problem. Took it to Dodge, they replaced an ABS sensor in the left front wheel and that took care of it.

 

[RJ2]

Been driving for a week now, I think I am getting close to 50 starts. I did the code mode deal and it came up 12 then 55.

I will wait till the end of the week , if it is still on I guess I will have to go to the dreaded and feared dealer.

Illflem, did yours just return back to normal on its own after the fifty times? Thanks RJ

 

[illflem]

Rj, I didn't count but it was about 3-4 weeks. Then one day the light was out on start-up never to return.

 

[RJ2]

My lights are still on. I might just have to take it in.

Another truck ( ford)hooked up to the same trailer and blew out his brake light switch. It sounds like the rear sensor goes a lot , I am wondering if I should just try putting one in. I have not had any problems with the speedo or I would have done this earlier. Thanks RJ

 

[Dick Garcia]

ABS and BRAKE light on!

Both my ABS and brake light were on so I began checking my fuses. My ABS fuse was ok but my brake light fuse was blown. I replaced the brake fuse and both lights went off Go figure

Dick

 

[MikeR]

Originally posted by RJ2

It sounds like the rear sensor goes a lot , I am wondering if I should just try putting one in. I have not had any problems with the speedo or I would have done this earlier.

I have only had my '95 for a year and a half, and the abs/brake lights have been on almost the entire time. I thought I could just get away with replacing the rear sensor too, but no dice, new sensor and lights still on... guess I'll have to keep digging deeper. I reset the abs controller and they come back on as soon as the truck moves.

 

[LHallmark]

I had the same problem a couple years ago... . found blown fuses in the fuse box on the drivers end of the dash... . AND blown fuses in the box under the hood. When all blown fuses replaced, all the lights worked normally again. Mine was caused by a blow circuit in the brake controller for the trailer... . or a faulty driver... was talking to the copilot (wife) and needed to stop quickly. While running mouth instead of brain I stepeed on the brakes and used the hand lever on the brake controller at the same time. All kinds of lights on the panel and a light flash from the controller. OOPS!