ABS Panic!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jims]

Has anyone ever heard of "ABS Panic" when your steering and brakes lock up and you lose all control of your vehicle? I think this is BS from the dealer. How could this possibly be normal?

Thanks
Jim

 

[Old Account - 243]

I you have AWAL, they may be referring to letting off the brake (abs panic) when you feel like the vehicle is not slowing down when you should be pushing harder.

This is in direct contrast to my truck with RWAL... if I don't let up the back brakes lock up and I get a *sweeeeet* flat spot in my mud terrains.

Don't you just love this technology #ad


243

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99 QC 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
Walker 21468, VDO, Bridgestone 285/75/16 MT's, RS9000's, Hella 500's

-- email address removed --

 

[jims]

I guess I didn't explain the situation. Driving along you come to a stop sign and stop. You then continue down a curved hill and touch the brakes to slow you down. suddenly the brakes lock up solid and you lose control of the steering. You stop... step on the accelerator to move off the road and the brakes are still locked and steering is almost non existant. After you manage to get off the road you shut down. Think about what happened for 5 seconds and restart. now brakes and steering work normally. "ABS Panic" The ABS system went into panic mode and needed to be reset.

 

[BV]

WOW - That's just what I want to happen on an slippery (ICE) section of mountain road. NOT.
Sorry - Just another reason I didn't order the ABS on all 4 corners.

 

[Missouri Mule]

jims
Sounds like BS. If your front brakes lock up your ABS didn't go into panic it is not working correctly. The idea with ABS or RWAL is to keep the wheels from locking and rolling.
You did not have good steering because the ABS let the front wheels lock up. Of course you know that.
On RWAl the front wheels will lock up if you brake hard enough but that is to be expected.
Most electronical components in autos are reset when power is cut off to them, especially when they didn't do their job. Electrical components as they start to go bad will goof up the most when they warm up.
I would have someone do a scan see if any codes come up. Then do test on the ABS components and also check all of the braking system. Front brake lines(rubber) after they get some age on them have tendency to collapse causing brakes to stick.

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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[willyslover]

jims. . "ABS Panic" & "I think this is BS from the dealer"...
not clear what your trying to say. . looks like you and a dealer had a conversation about ABS ? your descreption of that conversation is a little short...

 

[HC]

This sounds like something that could happen with a malfunction of the computer system. My understanding is that the hydraulic assist for the brakes comes from the power steering system, so it is very believable that a malfuction in the brake system could have an impact on the steering, too. Or, maybe something is going on in your power steering system that caused both problems...
It's serious all right - hope your Dealer can find the problem quickly!

To see if others have experienced the same problem, you might try searching on http://www.nhtsa. dot.gov/



[This message has been edited by HC (edited 01-14-2001). ]

 

[Fireman Dave]

jims,

Did this actually happen to you in your truck? Or are we talking hypothetical situation? If it happened, something is wrong with the truck. Whether it's related to the anti-lock or the brake/steering system or the computer, I don't know. All I know is that this isn't normal or acceptable - and definately not safe!

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2001 2500; SLT; 4x4; QC; LWB; Auto; 3. 54 LS; 265s; Camper; Tow; Sliding Rear Window; Travel Convenience Group; Cab Clearance Lamps; Forest Green

[This message has been edited by Fireman Dave (edited 01-14-2001). ]

 

[jims]

First let me say this did happen,
second I do have a manual transmission and i pushed in the clutch when my baby started to complain. My rpms never went to zero. The truck is in getting tested so i'll let you know what the verdict is monday.

 

[KWIKKURT]

It is possible the brake booster system went crazy ... it could lock up the brakes, cause the ABS to not work and would stall the power steering - Brake pump... causing the Steering to lock.

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"Have you driven OVER a phord lately"
2001 2500 BRT WHT SPORT QUADCAB 4X4 ETH 3. 54LSD TRLR CMPR PKG ALL OPT XCPT LTHR

[This message has been edited by KWIKKURT (edited 01-14-2001). ]

 

[HC]

The brakes and steering use the same fluid? Why is there a master cylinder for DOT brake fliud and one for power steering fluid then? I'm confused... .

Joel,
You're not confused. I am. Or at least, I stated it very poorly. My understanding is that the brakes have a hydraulic assist that is powered by the P/S pump. Although the brake fluid and power steering fluid are separate, since the hydraulic assist for the brakes comes from the power steering system, it is conceivable that a malfuction of one system could affect the other. Also, since Jim has now clarified that this is something that actually happened to him, not just something he heard about from a dealer, my "don't worry about it too much" post was way off base. I've done some major editing; thanks for helping me get it right!

 

[Big-D]

Jims... For what it is worth I'd take the truck to the dealer and have it fixed once and for all before you have a serious accident to contend with. This is not a normal situation in my opinion.

Furthermore, I would be writing via PO mail to the dealer and DC with this problem. Documenting everything... what happens, what the dealer tells and what they find, etc. I'm not an attorney, but you might need one if your brakes caused an accident. Hope you have good insurance for I don't like the sounds of your brake problem. Get some help with the real problem in what is causing your brakes to lock up. It isn't normal my friend!

 

[joel]

The brakes and steering use the same fluid? Why is there a master cylinder for DOT brake fliud and one for power steering fluid then? I'm confused... .

 

[Terry]

Jim, Let me stick my neck out and guess your truck is a manual transmission? As you didn't say in your post.

If this is so I would say that when the wheels first started to lock up the engine stalled because you hadn't pushed the clutch in this would explain losing steering, and also it would explain why the wheels locked up as if you had so little traction as to skid so easy, it probably would not be enough traction to roll start the Cummins right away and that would keep the wheels locked.

One thing that has not gotten much press is that a ABS system can't work correctley in a manual tranmission truck if you don't push the clutch in before the wheels start to lock up.

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99' 2500 SLT, Quadcab, Long Bed, 4x4, White/Driftwood, Agate Leather, 4WAL, Auto, 241HD, 3. 54 Limited Slip, Rancho 9000's, Air Lift Super Duty's, Hallmark Cachara LTD 9. 5ft Popup Camper, Boston Whaler Outrage 17'

[This message has been edited by Terry (edited 01-14-2001). ]

 

[jims]

The verdict is NTF. They didn't find anything wrong. They did replace the front brakes at no cost however. I was told they locked because I hit some ice or road salt. I said dosn't "anti" mean they're not supposed to lock up. They said when you are turning the anti-lock is not active. It only functions when you drive a straight line. I said I can't believe that this was normal. I got a nice smile and was told there is nothing more they can do. At least they didn't pat my head when they gave my keys back.

 

[HC]

. . They said when you are turning the anti-lock is not active. It only functions when you drive a straight line.

Got to say, that's the most ridiculous thing I've heard since... . well, since yesterday (long story, off topic).
I believe if you pick up a sales brochure, you will find that the advertising hype for ABS extols the ability of this system to help you stop safely even while cornering, swerving to avoid danger, etc. Check the sales brochure, and the owner's manual, then show it to them in their own writing, instead of stating "I thought the brakes were supposed to work like this. " I would have said the same thing under the circumstances, but, arm yourself with some more facts and go at them again. If they can't find a tricky problem right away, well, I'd forgive them, as long as they keep trying. They should be replacing the brain and/or sensors of the ABS system, or working with a contact in DC's engineering department, not telling you **ll**it like this! Best of Luck, we feel your pain!

P. S. - Start keeping detailed notes - names, dates, what was said by who in each conversation. If this goes to arbitration later, or your brakes do it again and you have a wreck or are hit from behind, these notes and repair records will be invaluable in supporting your position and making DC do the right thing.

 

[ftb87]

Your dealer is incorrect in stating that the ABS doesn't work in a turn. I had a chebby s-10 4x4 once and during a curve in the road the person behind me decided to pass me (idiot) while another car was coming the other direction. Long story short, I hit the brakes as hard as I could while going around the corner and I didn't lose control of the truck only my temper! I believe it saved my life.

Good luck, keep track of all of the records and test you ABS once in a while.

Frank

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01 White, Quad Cab,Short Box ,Sport SLT+,5 speed,4X4,line-x ,Nerf bars,fiberglass tonneau cover

 

[sdalton]

You have a MORON for a dealer(service manager). If your truck is doing this, it is potentially life threatening. The ABS systems were designed specifically so that you CAN steer around objects and corners during ABS activation. I would think twice about driving that thing until you get a good answer. Call the DC complaint dept. and let them know what your being told. Get everything you can in writing, and dont transport your kids or family in the truck until you get it fixed. If it were my truck, I would pull the ABS fuse out immediatly and drive without the ABS until the problem is found. I have driven a car with bad ABS before, and it shot me out into traffic after hitting a bump at a stopsign. Almost got me killed. I was lucky oncoming traffic managed to stop in time and others were able to drive around me. They were going 60 or so mph.

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Y2K, 2500, 4x2, QC, 3. 54 LSD, Auto, patriot blue. K&N, silencer ring put back in. 14000 miles as of 1-05-01. best milage:28. 5 mpg. transmission reflashed

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

In a situation like this I'd be calling D/C's hotline to see if they can help. You might want to mention you are considering reporting the situation to NHTSA while you are talking with them. Your situation is very serious - imagine if you had a load behind you when they locked up!!! EEK



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, 275hp RV injectors, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[Missouri Mule]

jims,
What year is your truck? Are you sure you have ABS? not RWAL?
I believe you have ABS but did the person who fed you that BALDERDASH know?
Do you have another Dodge dealer to go to ?
If you have a Consumer fraud agency in your state I would report it to them also, just to be on record.
BTW was there ice on the ground? Salt would not cause your wheels to skid, not that I know of any way. Ice would make it hard to turn and you could slide a little but ABS should of kept front wheels from locking up(let them roll a little).