My ABS/Brake light just came on the other day and NOT sure as to why. The brakes seem to work ok, but mostly the fronts. I'm not sure but doesn't the ABS just control the rear brakes on these trucks? I had to adjust the rear brakes a few weeks before these lights came on, and the star adjusters were rusted so bad I had to take them apart, clean then, and grease them to get them working again. It doesn't seem as if the adjustment stayed as it feels like the fronts are mainly whats working/braking. Now for the ABS/BRAKE lights to come one, what all can cause this? I'm planning on replacing the hardware kits on both sides as well as putting on new shoes, but would this make any kind of difference with the ABS system? Please let me know what you can. Thanks in advance!!

 

ABS problems need a tech with the diagnostic plug-in reader unless you have one.
Try a visual inspection (you may get lucky). For more depth on how to go about
chasing the problem , ALLDATA has some good info and they're cheap BTW.
Most likely one of your wheel sensors is needing some help ("which one" is the problem).
If the speedometer is reading in an abnormal way or the cruise control is surging
something is wrong at the front of the truck (it was on mine anyway).
Good Luck,
pc

 

ABS on the rear reads off the rear differential, so the actual brakes have nothing to do with the ABS. Most likely its your sensor in the rear diff that is bad. I would just get someone to hook a scanner to it to make sure.

 

If you have a digital odometer, put the key in the ignition and turn it on(but not turn over), off, on, off, on and see if a code pops up.

Go here to see what that code means:
http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/
If it isn't one of the generic codes at the bottom, click the dodge emblem and try there.

Good luck to ya!

 

Will using a regular code scanner present the problem with an actual code? Another problem I just had as well is the headlight switch shorted out and melted the wiring harness. I suspect that it was the switch as the one wire was only melted about an inch back, thus meaning the heat generated at the switch first. Was only when using the high beams. I could smell something getting hot and then the high beams started flashing on and off. I wouldn't think that this would have any connection with the ABS/BRAKE lights coming on. My 4X4 doesn't seem to kick in anymore either. Everything right now is electrical. I wouldn't think that all these are related in any way. Anymore thoughts, ideas, answers, I will gladly take. Thanks agian.

 

My ABS and Brake light came on one day too. Everything seemed to work fine, so I just ignored it. Then I lost my speedometer and my odometer pretty must stopped. It was the vehicle speed sensor in the rear end. It's a $43 part and takes about 30 minutes at the most to swap out. After I got the new sensor everything went back to normal. I lucked out though and fixed the problem the first time. I didn't have my truck hooked up to a scanner or nothing.

 

A search will give you tons of hits on this for more info.

All of you with this problem replace your Rear Speed Sensor. Its on the rear diff and can easy be replaced in the driveway. Your problem will disappear. Good luck!


dukhtn- If your 4wd light isn't coming on that means the front axle isn't engaging all the way or properly. You probably don't have 4wd right now actually. Problem is its hard to tell until you need to use it! If its not engaging you have a vacuum leak somewhere. Either that or the CAD unit itself that engages the front end is bad, which is rare.

Do a search on CAD and Vacuum and you should get some info.

 

Socha_62>>> now that you mention that it's more then a vacuum leak on my 4X4, I'm betting it is. My blower vents inside switch to defrost when I go uphill or step on the pedal hard. I just hate it when I have my A/C going and keeping my cool as I like the air pushing on me. I guess I will have to do some digging on the vacuum issue, and maybe put in a new speed sensor and see if that takes care of my ABS/BRAKE light issue.

 

Mine came on a week ago. I have a post on here. Got much of the same response. That may be the case. For me... it was the brake fuse next to the steering wheel. I grounded out a wire and it blew the fuse which I guess trips those dash lights. Check to see if you have brake lights, if no, probably the fuse, if yes, see above posts. Good luck.