Anti lock brake woes

[flathead6]

Not quite ready to bypass the unit yet but that may be in the near future!

I've searched the threads but don't seem to find this particular problem (fault code anyway):

Trucks stops same as always but the RWAL light comes on - sometimes - not everytime. :{ First noticed it while hauling a gooseneck load of calves (coincidence?). Now it just comes on intermitantly and I can't attribute it to any event.

Grounded the lead and I get a 6 then 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 for as long as I leave the key on. Disconnect the unit and braking is the same. Any ideas out there?

Thanks,

KRB

 

[Paychk]

6 = Erratic speed sensor reading while rolling





9 = speed sensor wiring/resistance (usually high reading)

 

[bmoeller]

Probably won't make a difference in your case, but if I don't keep my rear brakes adjusted up, the ABS won't work. Adjusted up, they're fine.



Does it only happen when you are loaded down, or empty as well?

 

[cerberusiam]

Sensor on the rear diff is going bad or there is a bad connection in the harness. Either one will cause your sysmptoms.

 

[flathead6]

Thanks guys. I undid all the plugs and added some dielectic grease and re-snugged everything. They were all clean and tight to begin with. I'll try to check the harness and make sure its not rubbing some where. Guess the sensor is fixing to head south huh?

When it goes does that "cause" brake problems or does the RWAL just quit working? I'm towing about 7,000lb this Friday and no RWAL is fine as long as a bad sensor doesn't make them act up in a bad way (eratic,etc).

The light comes on whether towing or not, intermitantly and not all the time. Once on it satys on until the motor is shut down. Is there a website that has all the fault codes? I thought there was a start code sequence at the begining of the cycle just like on the check engine?

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction,

KRB

 

[cerberusiam]

On the frame rail forward of the RWAL is another connector that caused me much grief. Even after relacing the sensor it still would throw codes. Turned out the connector was not making good contact inside. Removed the plastic piece on one end, greased it up and taped it over and no more problems.



Once the light comes on it will stay on until the truck is restarted, usually. The brkes will generally work if the RWAL is not but you could get some flaky and unexpected results.



I have the codes but not on this computer. Will post them later is someone else doesn't.

 

[1stgen4evr]

from a previous posting

abs



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I mentioned this a few weeks ago. I did away with the system all together. Some refer to this as slash and burn. Well everyone is entitled to their opinion and mine is that you are better off without the system on the truck. Check the archives and you will find that a good many have had scary incidents with their ABS. It is a very poor system and if you know how to drive the truck, you can do a good job of being the controller by how you apply the brake(s). Your brain is probably at least a hundred times faster than the controler on the system.



The reason I finally did away with mine was an incident where I slid through an intersection (complete with red light) somewhat sideways with a trailer pushing me along and only front brakes working. To make matters worse, I almost took the side off a patrol car in the process. When I got the whole thing stopped, he gave me a thumbs up and cruised on by. I went straight to a lift and checked to see what was need to eliminate the crappy system. Two fifty cent brass fittings that match the different metal lines at the valve that then fit one another and bleeding was all that was involved. I have the best brakes on that truck it has ever had. No light, no bull. Should the need arise, I can lock her down in a four wheel slide, and that ain't against the law anywhere. It is against the law to smack someone from the rear, whatever the reason. I am on the road around 80k miles a year and seems like there is someone fairly often that bumbles out in front of me. I am reasonable sure that earlier problems with my front rotors warping (more than once) was the direct result of poor rear brake function and that had cost a fair amount over the years. By the way, the previous owner had spent 1800 dollars at the dealer to make the brakes work.



So, you pays your money and you takes your choice, as they say at the carnival. That was my choice. Further, it has been documented in national publications that the abs system can be dangerous and has been the CAUSE of accidents where deaths were incurred.



First gen forever and ABS free as well.

James



Edit: Unhooking the controller will not complete the job. The truck mentioned was already 'unhooked' and still the problem of poor rear brakes.



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Last edited by 1stgen4evr : 08-17-2005 at 02:59 AM.

 

[BHiggins]

I plumbed around the RWAL on my old '90 and the brakes were never better. If I ever have that problem with my "new" '92 I won't hesitate to do it again.

 

[flathead6]

Cerberusiam - I'll check that connection, I don't believe I remember seeing that one when I did the others.



1stgen4evr - I remember seeing some of your posts and thats what got me thinking of the by-pass thing. A by-pass and 1 ton shoes ought to make a big difference. In the older posts you mentioned which size fittings it took, do you remeber off hand what they were? Otherwise I can search again.



I'm hauling home a 6,800lb boat with no trailer brakes tomorrow. We'll see what happens with the RWAL unhooked (read slow speeds and looonnngggg distances between vehicles - I can handle my load, its the unpredictable dummies that always screw things up!)



Thanks again for everybody's ". 02",

KRB

 

[1stgen4evr]

The fittings are:

202 x 5

252 x 3



I am pretty sure that these are weather head numbers.



The dialogue is in a post started by kelly w and titled abs proportioning valve. Search the first gen forum using kelly w and abs. Pretty sure you will get what you want. On the second page there are pictures and other comments that might enlighten. Mysteryman (a chrysler engineer) made a comment on the system as well.



Careful with the boat. I have pulled a lot more with no brakes on the trailer and with the truck that was having the trouble, before eliminating the abs. I am using a 97 some of the time and I have discovered what real brakes are and am looking into what it would take (I have a Dana 80 with discs) to have that on the first gens, namely the crew that is on the back burner.



James

 

[Greenleaf]

I love it when folks rip off unnesessary electrical garbage from our otherwise reliable truck package. You can fill a couple of boxes woth of garbage removed from these trucks and it simply makes 'em even more- so bulletproof!!



Way to go James!! If I had a voucer to pass on you'd be gettn' 15RWHP