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98 dodge dakota abs/brake light on

Old Jul 17, 2012 | 12:19 AM
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Default 98 dodge dakota abs/brake light on

Hey i was looking for an answer but couldnt find one with similar symptoms. My 98 dodge dakota 4x4 v6 brake light and abs lights have been coming on whenever i drive the truck. the speedo reads just fine.
The only other thing i've noticed is the brakes work just fine until the light comes on then they go soft. I noticed it when i was backing out of my drive way before the lights came on, i had my foot on the brake and when the lights came on i felt the pedal go soft.
By soft i mean when i use the brakes it feels like i dont have power brakes and more like old school hydraulic brakes.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 09:07 AM
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I believe there is a sensor on the rear axle somewhere that can cause the light to come on. Did you search the forum?

Mine came on once going through the mountains, not difference in the pedal feel though.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 09:41 AM
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When my Dakota did that, it had just burst the rear brake line. You should check yours.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 11:10 AM
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Ill look at my lines tonight. I drove the truck today and while the pedal is always soft, the light doesnt come on all the time now. Could this have to do with the possible broken line or the speed sensor starting to go?
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 11:54 AM
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could be a bad wheel cylinder as well could also be abs unit itself speed sensor could be bad telling abs unit to dump pressure. start with leaks first and fluid level
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 01:03 PM
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I had same issues even after i replaced the sensors , found out from a dodge mechanic that the most common overlooked cause , other than obvious damage , is when the rear brakes become weak or non functional from the little to no maintenance they receive , some how the abs senses (he explained, but was more than i can remember ) it as a problem and throws the lights ,,,, so i pulled the drums off of mine to have a look and whadda-ya-know , i found one side completely seized and the shoes and drum were still like new , and the other side was worn down to where it was almost metal to metal contact !! I never even noticed a problem with the rear brakes the whole time i owned the truck ,,,, i replaced everything from the wheel cyls to the shoes and power bled the brake lines ,, and now ,, no more brake / abs lights on the dash since !
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 10:35 PM
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So i pulled my driver side rear drum, and the adjuster fell out along with another spring that i believe is one of the return springs when i simply pulled the drum off.Does anyone have a diagram of a 98 dodge dakota rear drum set up
 
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Old Jul 17, 2012 | 10:59 PM
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service manual free

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen-dakota/70233-2000-factory-service-manual-pfd-download.html
 
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Old Aug 21, 2012 | 03:13 AM
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I am also having brake problems on my '98. Brake pedal has gone sometimes soft sometimes hard. I replaced back shoes, and front pads. Fluid level is fine, no leaks but when i went to bleed no fluid to back passenger side. Could it be a booster or master cylinder problem. If i hit pedal quick and hard it will stay firm, if i go slow and soft pedal will go way down then to the floor eventually all the way with no braking at all. any help would be appreciated. Also both ABS and Brake lights on dash are on.

Sorry if i jumped on somebody else's thread but im new to this and wasn't sure how to start a new thread, any help there would be appreciaed also.
 

Last edited by gbush1804; Aug 21, 2012 at 03:15 AM.
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