Archived abs and brake lights on

[jawbreaker]

i'm not real sure if this qualifies as a 911 emergency, but my abs light and brake warning lights on the dash have been on all day. at first i thought to check power steering fluid, thinking that if it was low these lights might come on. i checked it, found it to be low, and added a bit. the lights went off for a bit, but were back on this morning. i'd rather have you guys tell me what's wrong than pay someone else to... what could it be? (and is it safe to drive?)

 

[DarrellB]

This is what was wrong with mine

The rear wheel speed sensor went out. It is on the top of the rear diff right in the center. I think the part was about $31 or so and took my dealer about 20 minutes to replace. I took mine to a dealer for them to fix because on my early 99 model truck you have to have a scan tool to check for fault codes.



Some of the other guys have had different problems out of the same two lights though. I'm sure some of them will let you know.



Mine was fine to drive just no antilock brakes for a while.



Darrell

 

[JR2]

Usually if that is the problem the truck will not shift right either and the speedo will be off.

This used to happen on Fords all the time where I work, gravel would fly up and smash the connector. We finally started wrapping the sensor in a piece of carpet and duct tape to protect it.

 

[jawbreaker]

so if i look up under there, will i be able to tell if it's smashed? and has anyone ever replaced one of these themselves? if so, what does it take?...

 

[JR2]

I have never fixxed on on a Dodge so I am not sure. I can crawl under my truck and see what it looks like and then check my service manual for you... .

 

[Maximus]

When I started my truck this morning... . I have the same problem. ABS + Brake light on.



I figured I would do a search here to see if somebody else has run into this same problem.



I plan on adjusting my rear brakes this weekend to see if the problem goes away. I know I am past due for a re-adjust on them.



Anybody else have any ideas?

 

[wtrenholm]

JR2

The speedometer thing is only applicable to 98 and newer. 97 and older still use the old transmission/t-case mounted sensor for speed info.



Maximus

Brake adjustment shouldn't affect the lights coming on. The system has no way to monitor this unless the speed sensor info and actual ABS stopping don't agree on what's going on.



jawbreaker

First make sure all fuses are OK. Then...



If you have pre 98 RWAL you can get codes to verify what's wrong. Look under the dash near the steering column. There will be a open black two wire connector with only one terminal in it (don't use the one with two terminals in it. Turn the key on and use a jumper wire to ground the terminal. Count the flashes of the ABS light including only one long flash. If it's 9 or 10 flashes the problem is related to the rear sensor/harness.



HTH

Wayne

 

[Maximus]

I need to adjust the brakes anyway.



I just figured if the brake were out of adjustment it may think the system had a problem by there being too much slop in the rear pads or needing to push more fluid to the rear pads.



Does anybody know how to test the rear ABS sensor?

I would guess you could use a multimeter and rotate the tires.



I really need to order the manual from Dodge!

 

[ACoyle]

I have exacyly the same problem on my '99. When it happens, I give it a clunk in the middle of the dash. It goes away for a few days. It is a bad plug in the dash connector. there is a TSB out on it.



A new Dash module is about $1,000. 00 The fist is cheaper. It can be accompanied by a "No Bus" display in the speedometer.



AC

 

[Missouri Mule]

Unfortunatley the brake/abs warning lights come on if either system has a problem.

 

[BCFAST]

Mine lit up last week as well! My wrench tells me it's common, and that it's the ABS sensor in the rear diff... not a big deal to replace.

 

[jbone]

Same problem about a month ago. It can be fun to get out, but I used a long screw-driver--after removing the bolt and it worked out... . put a little grease on the new one and slip it in... about $37 at my stealers... . my 2 cents... ... ... ..... R, J. B.

 

[Maximus]

I replaced my ABS sensor. That fixed the problem. About $35 at the dealer.



After I replaced my I decided to adjust the brakes. The rear passenger side the brake adjuster was frozen. I had to remove it and take it to the vice to break it loose. Greased it up. Now it should be adjusting correctly. I guess with 85,000 miles on the rear pads and only half worn... that should indicate the rears are hardly used when the adjusters don't work!



I can now feel the truck stopping better Oo.



Everybody,



Thanks for the info!!