2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ABS/Brake lights on

[Dan007]

The ABS light and brake light comes on sporadiatically in my 95 3/4 ton. This happened a month ago and I brought it into my buddy's brake shop - but he could find nothing wrong.

It happened again this a. m. and when I got to work and turned the headlights off the ABS light went off. The mechanic who put in our performance system said that if there are no visible leaks and all the wiring looks that there is just a "glitch" somewhere and not to worry about it. We are planning on taking our 35' Toyhauler camping in the mountains in a few days and don't want something to go wrong. Does anyone have any advice????

Thanks.

 

[Midnight]

Most of the time when the abs and brake light come on it's the speed sensor. But with the headlight deal making it go out that would suggest a short in the wiring. Good luck and let us know what you find.

 

[wtrenholm]

Under the dash, in the steering column area, on your 95 there will be two small black open connectors, one will have two pins in in it and is connected to the rear speed sensor circuit; the other will only have one pin and one empty hole and is used to extract fault codes. With the key on, take a jumper wire and ground the single pin for a second or two. The ABS and brake lights should start flashing, count one long and then the short flashes (it'll keep repeating) to figure out what code (if any) are stored). Post back and I will watch and try to help if I can.



To clear codes and get the light to quit flashing it's easiest to just disconnect the battery for a few seconds.



If the ABS and brake lights are on it means that the rear anti-lock is disabled. You still have regular brakes to rely on.



Wayne

 

[Dan007]

thanks for advice

Thanks for the advice -- we will check out the fault codes when my hubby gets home. We changed the headlight switch and that didn't help. Since it only happens when the headlights are on we also checked out the alternator and all is well. Here's the new deal - yesterday when he was driving to work the air bag light came on too! How bizarre! We were going to change the ABS control module because after I read the Chilton manual it appeared this might be the deal, but NAPA didn't have any in the whole US and Dodge wanted $400 for a new one. It's one thing to have a spare headlight switch @ $25 -- but a spare control module @ $400 changed our minds: - ) We are thinking a short somewhere -- but of course shops say they can hook it up on a diagnostic machine for a small fortune and one guy said he would visually check it out. Since we are going camping tomorrow and will travel in the day (so don't need the headlights on) we are just going to go for it and deal with it when we get back next week.

 

[wtrenholm]

Various fuses share components. If I remember right the brake light and back up light fuses can effect ABS and Air Bag controller power feeds. I would recommend checking all lighting to make sure they work. Also checking all fuses to make sure they are OK also. Do you pull a trailer? If yes, make sure the trailer wiring is not an issue. We just fixed some lighting problems this morning by removing the trailer wiring adapter on a 96 Ram.



Controllers usually don't fail, and a part that you certainly don't want to guess on.



If you are losing a 12 volt power to the controller there will not be any codes stored because each time the controller loses power any codes will be erased.



Wayne

 

[Dan007]

okay

We will double check the fuses later. We looked at them the other day, but we will recheck. All the lighting is working fine. I still think it is weird that the ABS, brake and air bag lights only come on when the headlights are on!

Yes, we pull a 35' 5th wheel, but we haven't pulled it all summer due to the wildfires here in AZ, so that wouldn't be causing the problem.

I'll keep you posted regarding our progress.