2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ABS and Brake light

[DPellegrin]

Hey guys. While driving down a rough dirt road I noticed that my emergency Brake light and my ABS light came on. I shut the truck off and they shut off but as soon as I hit the brake a few times they came back on. What could be wrong it stops ok im kind of worried thanks for your input.

 

[GAmes]

Do you have a brake controller installed? If you do, disconnect it and see if the problem goes away. If it does, check the wire bundle connectors behind the left front tire for moisure. If that doesn't help, do a search. Lots of other fixes, but usually the differential sensor.

 

[RottenRon]

Here's how I fixed my problem today, after doing much research on TDR.



My problem was that the wiring from one of the sensors was broken internally, here is how I found the problem and fixed it.



After reading many threads, it seemed that the differential sensor is often the problem, so I was suspicious of it. Off of one thread I read that the resistance of the sensors should be about 1400 ohms. I measured the resistance of the sensors by using a multimeter at the ABS connector going into the ABS computer on the driver's side fender well. For a 95, pins 1 and 14 are the input from the rear wheel (differential) sensor, pins 2 and 15 are the input from the right front wheel sensor and pins 3 and 16 are the input from the left front wheel sensor (this is for a 95 all wheel ABS truck). The resistance value should be 1200-1800 ohms (mine were around 1400 for the working sensors). Using this method, I found that the left front wheel sensor was the culprit (open circuit).



Being too cheap to just replace the sensor without trying a cheaper solution first, I cut the wire from the wheel sensor about 3 inches from the sensor and measured the resistance there... I got 1470 ohms so I knew the sensor itself was OK. Going along the cable, I found a spot that seemed squished. I cut out this section, soldered in a couple of new wires (one side to the sensor, the other side to the good wires going to the connector). Put heavy duty heat shrink over the soldering job and put everything back together. Started the truck and... problem solved! Oo.



So, using TDR info, I managed to solve my ABS/Brake light warning light issue by spending about one dollar on a couple of chunks of wire, some heat shrink and some solder (all of which I already had on hand). Thanks TDR! (again!)



So, if you were driving down a dirt road at the time your lights came on, it's quite possible a rock flew up and broke one of the front wheel sensor wires or the rear sensor wire. By measuring the resistance at the ABS plug, you could figure out if all your sensors are OK. If one of the circuits is open you could replace the sensor (which comes with the wire and connector), or try to find the break in the wire and solder in new wire. Good luck.



Ron

 

[jbrowne]

ABS and brake light on

I had the same thing happen to my 96. I had jusr removed the left battery and tray to install a new cruise control servo and vac tube. well being one of those clean freaks, I washed her down with soda water and rinced it with clear water. Well when I got in to go the ABS and brake lights were on. I got out my can of ignition cleaner and sprayed the two sets of wires that you can see just below the battery box. They look like a mirror immage of each other. Two small slip on connectors and two large connectors with rubber covers. The posative battery wire runs right between them. W gave all of them a good shot of ignition cleaner and let them dry out. No problems now. When you finish your inspection of the wires suggested in the previous thread give this a try. Good luck.

jbrowne

 

[DPellegrin]

Hey guys I havent been able to get around to workin on the truck but a new observation today. While driving 75MPH with the cruise control on down the freeway the lights were off. As soon as I hit a little bump in the road the lights went on. The lights continued to stay on until I shut the truck off 150 miles later. I should also note that the cruise control continued to work flawlessly. This ever happen to anyone before thanks Nick.

 

[EBottema]

Sounds like maybe a bad ground... .

If anything is majorly wrong with the ABS unit, i would take it off and throw it away. Bend some new brake lines and one less thing to break. It is not needed, ABS does not help on our trucks...

 

[tURBOdIEZEl]

i had the same problem at one time... . i replaced the abs fuse and have not had a problem since.....