2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission ABS & Brake lites on

[RALLER]

Computer tester shows no communication. I have a factory manual and it dosent show location of control unit, I think its in the center of the dash. I puled the radio and couldent see it. Book wants we to check fuses [2]. Cant find them either. I am kind of lost. help would be appreciated. 97 3500 BOBe

 

[GAmes]

If it is RW only ABS the controller can be seen by removing the knee bolster and looking toward the center of the dash. How to get it out other than dropping the dash I don't know. I know that with a little work the controller can be unplugged, which turns out both lights. That was after doing every procedure in the book to troubleshoot, including continuity checks of every wire from front to rear and replacing the sensor in the pumpkin. Quite a few miles after that I tapped into the ABS sensor to power my speedo and it has worked flawlessly for close to 500,000 miles. I don't miss the ABS.

 

[RALLER]

Thanks for the info. It Is 2wd-so rear ABS only. I will take another look at it. Several years ago I installed chevy rear wheel cylinders. Stoped a lot better when puling a 30 ft toy hauler. Now have a 25 ft taho, not as heavy. Truck is a daily driver [ I am 81 & girl friend weighs half as much ] and too sever braking. Need to go back to stock rear wheel cylinders. And life goes on. Not exactly 16 but it feels like it. Enjoying life. I was able to resque my dog. he is a lot happier also. BOB

 

[RALLER]

I couldnot unplug control unit, so I just unpluged bulbs. I don't like the slow action of abs. BOB

 

[Missouri Mule]

I think the anti-lock computer should be able to turn on the idiots lights. But it mite need the pcm to do it. The problem could be the sensor on top of the diff. But having a break light out can cause both the idiot lights to go on. I think a regular code reader can not excess the anti-lock computer. Also there is valve gadget(anti-lock) under the master cylinder that can get messed up and it is hard to find (it would be easier to by pass it..

 

[Prairie Dog]

I dont know if second gens were wired like first gens but a short at the tail light can cause both lights to come on with those. I personally experienced this on my 93.
In that case, my trailer developed a short at one tail light wire. The truck turn signal circuit is protected by 1 fuse while the brake light circuit is protected by another. The ABS is one one of those circuits! So the first light came on when I used a turn signal and the second one came on when I tapped the brakes. At that point both the "Brake" and "ABS" lights were glowing.
So before digging too deep, check for a couple of blown fuses and a problem with you tail lights.