Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Not sure if my 95 has ABS

[CBrabec]

Like it states above, I'm not sure if the truck has ABS. The other day a friend was helping me fix a broken vaccum line and after that was fixed he jumped into the truck & started it to make sure the problem was fixed. He noticed that my "BRAKE" light was staying on so he asked me to check the fuses. When I pulled off the top of the fuse box, there are places for the ABS fuses but none where there. We ended up cycling the key 6 times and the light went away. His '94 has ABS, and when you start my truck an ABS light comes on but then goes off. Kinda confused here? Could the previous owner have pulled the fuses if he was having problems with the ABS?

 

[SSage]

I think your refering to the red BRAKE light? I think my ABS light is yellow, its never lit up while driving my 95.



The parking brake release is probably setting off the light if its the light for the parking brake. Wiggle the release handle next time it lights up.

 

[HBarlow]

I owned a '94 Furd F-250 with front disc/rear drum brakes. It had ABS. I think most if not all vehicles had ABS by the mid-90s but don't know, never owned a Dodge before 2001.

 

[cerberusiam]

Yes it should have ABS. Quite likely the ABS was a problem and the fuses were pulled to disable it.

 

[BigPapa]

If it does, it's probably rear only.

 

[Bill Stockard]

Yes it should have ABS. Quite likely the ABS was a problem and the fuses were pulled to disable it.

Yes, the '95s had rear ABS. At the TDR Roundup and Ralley in August of '96, Dodge demonstarted full ABS, which was made available as an option on the new '97 trucks, on a wet parking lot at the St. Louis assembly plant. After watching those demonstrations, I ordered my '97 3500 dually with the optional full ABS.



Bill

 

[ttbird]

95 abs

My 95 has full ABS. It was an option and I ordered it. Took delivery of truck Oct. 6th 1994. It has speed sensors on the front spindles and full ABS control box under hood by master brake cylinder.

 

[CBrabec]

Yes it should have ABS. Quite likely the ABS was a problem and the fuses were pulled to disable it.

That's what we were wondering. The fuses are gone, which is why I was not sure on the whole thing since the yellow ABS light comes on when I start the truck and then shuts off. Now can I install new fuses or will that cause an issues if the ABS isn't working?

 

[cerberusiam]

You will probably get lights if something is wrong. The ABS may just not be fused out of that block if your getting the light on the dash. You could try unplugging the sensor on the rear diff and see if you get any indication.

 

[Bob4x4]

Rear wheel abs was standard and all wheel was an option. The wiring,controls and fuses were not the same. The PDC has many blank fuse locations,which I promptley utilized for adding my accessories.

 

[Bill Stockard]

My 95 has full ABS. It was an option and I ordered it. Took delivery of truck Oct. 6th 1994. It has speed sensors on the front spindles and full ABS control box under hood by master brake cylinder.

Hmmm, I'll have to go to my TDR library and check which year it was instead of trusting my memory. I didn't realize it was available on a '95 as an option. I do remember the demonstration was at the St Louis TDR Roundup and Rally and it was on the St Louis assembly plant parking lot that they kept wet with a water hose during the demo. Evidently, they were demonstrating a feature that had been available for some time. I may be off the year the Rally was held, but like you, I ordered the optional full ABS on my '97. It too had the control box by the master cylinder.



Bill

 

[Bob4x4]

all wheel ABS was also an option on the 94 order list... ... . not for me I like it simple

 

[CBrabec]

You will probably get lights if something is wrong. The ABS may just not be fused out of that block if your getting the light on the dash. You could try unplugging the sensor on the rear diff and see if you get any indication.

Actually the ABS light doesn't stay on, only the red "BRAKE" light has been staying on (until the truck cycles 6 times then it shuts off, but will come back on again later). What made me originally wonder if my truck has ABS is because I always saw the ABS light come on briefly when I would start my truck, but when I was checking some fuses I saw that the places where there should be fuses for the ABS are missing.

 

[CBrabec]

Rear wheel abs was standard and all wheel was an option. The wiring,controls and fuses were not the same. The PDC has many blank fuse locations,which I promptley utilized for adding my accessories.

Maybe this explains why I have those empty spots in the fuse box.

 

[GaryOwen]

The red brake light will stay on until your vacuum builds up. Usually takes a few seconds on mine. Since you were working on a vacuum line, I would check all vacuum connections.

 

[bristoy]

look closely, you may not even have any contacts that fuse location. what i'v seen with things that come as options like power windows,door locks,alarm systems ect. unless the truck came with these things they don't install the wiring harnesses or the fuse contacts.

 

[RHestand]

Vacuum builds up?

The red brake light will stay on until your vacuum builds up. Usually takes a few seconds on mine. Since you were working on a vacuum line, I would check all vacuum connections.

Gary,

Just curious about this. I thought the power brakes and steering are working off the same hydraulic pump and the brakes didn't need any vacuum.

I am also trying to get a handle on why both my ABS and brake warning lights are staying on.

My ABS light started staying on for short intervals 2-3 months ago but there was no change in my brake performance at all. I did check my front brake pads for wear and they were fine. (Also, I just R&R my rear shoes and wheel cyls. about 10K miles ago. ) Now just beginning yesterday, my brake warning light is staying on, and my brakes are still working fine.

On my truck, does the brake warning light come on if the front brake pads are getting too thin? I know they're not, but maybe, if there is a censor for that, maybe it's bad?

I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas you guys might have on this.

TIA, Ray

 

[MLee]

Red light will come on if the brake handle does not come completely off, mine does this. 95's came with rear Anti-lock standard, all wheel was optinal. If you do not have a box in the left rear corner of the engine bay, by the hood hinge, you don't have all wheel anti lock. The fuse boxes are universal, and if it didn't have the item there was no fuse installed and not wired. Probe it with a test light and see.

 

[Bob4x4]

No electric brake wear sensors. The Base brakes will work fine with the majority of ABS faults,low vacuum will affect brake assist on the early models with a vacuum brake booster

 

[RHestand]

Gary,

Just curious about this. I thought the power brakes and steering are working off the same hydraulic pump and the brakes didn't need any vacuum.

I am also trying to get a handle on why both my ABS and brake warning lights are staying on.

My ABS light started staying on for short intervals 2-3 months ago but there was no change in my brake performance at all. I did check my front brake pads for wear and they were fine. (Also, I just R&R my rear shoes and wheel cyls. about 10K miles ago. ) Now just beginning yesterday, my brake warning light is staying on, and my brakes are still working fine.

On my truck, does the brake warning light come on if the front brake pads are getting too thin? I know they're not, but maybe, if there is a censor for that, maybe it's bad?

I would appreciate any thoughts or ideas you guys might have on this.

TIA, Ray

I've just discovered another clue that might be relevant to my brake light problem. This has happened two days in a row. Yesterday and the day before.

When I drive it to my job-site (About 4-5 miles away) the lights do not come on. About 4PM and after it sits in the warm sun all day, they come on when I turn the key on, and they stay on all the way home. I just fired it this morning add they are now off. ???

Any ideas?

Ray

PS- I checked and I don't have front ABS.