Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) ABS/Parking brake light stuck on

[Doug_Janowski]

About a week ago i replaced my two front hubs, front axle u joints upper and lower ball joints and track arm... ... after all that work i was driving it and my abs and parking brake light started flashing then it ended up staying on!? I have never had this problem until now, i have read about similar problems and yes my speedometer is working fine. So idk if its the ABS sensor or think brake pads, or fluid level or what? any suggestions? And it is a 4 wheel abs! (2001 dodge ram 2500 cummins 4x4 218k)

 

[JLandry]

Doug,



It sounds like possibly one of the front ABS wheel sensors might have been damaged or is out of place due to the hub work.



If you haven't done so already, you should inspect the ABS sensors and their associated wiring.



Drive safely,



John L.

 

[Doug_Janowski]

ok i will try that, would that cause my cruise control to stop working?

 

[JLandry]

ok i will try that, would that cause my cruise control to stop working?

Doug,

With the ABS lamp illuminated and the BRAKE lamp flashing, that should indicate a fault in the ABS. It could be anything from a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor to unequal hydraulic pressure in the split halves of the braking system. Since the ABS computer plays a part in the cruise control system (relaying vehicle speed information to the PCM), then yes, that could indeed be the reason why it isn't working.

Unfortunately it requires a proprietary Chrysler DRBIII scan tool read ABS trouble codes so it's nearly impossible to know the exact reason for the warning lamps. A Dodge dealer will have a DRBIII of course.

To start with you can at least look for obvious damage to the front wheel speed sensors and even check their resistance to rule them out as the cause. When measured across the front ABS speed sensor terminals, you should have 893-1208 ohms of resistance. And while I don't there's anything wrong with it because you said the speedometer is working fine, the rear ABS speed sensor should measure 1600-2300 ohms. Couldn't hurt to check it too.

Good luck,

John L.

PS: Almost forgot to mention the Dodge service manual says this about measuring the ABS speed sensor resistance:

NOTE: FOR ALL RESISTANCE RANGES ADD 30% TO THE VALUE FOR EXTREME HEAT, SUBTRACT 30% FOR EXTREME COLD.