Can anyone explain or link me to a message which explains how to read the antilock brake DTCs on my 1996 Ram 1500 4WD RWAL 5.2L ? I thought I had read that in the forums before, but I couldn't find it with many different search attempts - it didn't help that you can't search on short terms like ABS, DTC, etc.

The Brake and anti-lock (ABS) lights have been on for a while, now. I did find a hole in the brake line to the rear axle - that has been fixed and there are no more fluid leaks (the fluid level has been fine since the fix).

I replaced the rear-wheel speed sensor (RWSS) this past weekend, but the code remains, even after driving for several miles (in case the ECU needed to see the sensor reading a varying signal before clearing the fault and turning off the light - which it didn't).

Thanks for any help!

 

One way to clear the code to see of it comes back is to disconnect the battery for a few minutes.

 

+1 on the battery disconnect. if you still get the codes after that then there is still a problem

 

I did a little more digging on another site and found the details again. For 1994-1996 RAMs, the ABS codes can be read without a diagnostic tool. Short pin 13 (black wire) of the Datalink connector (above the driver's feet) to ground, and the ABS light should blink out the trouble codes.

It also confirmed that disconnecting the battery for 30s should clear the ABS trouble codes, too (assuming I fixed them all).

 

This all worked out last night. I read the codes (I read 3, and then 10), then disconnected the battery ground cable for ~30s. When I reconnected the battery and started the truck, the ABS and Brake lights turned off after their power-up function check. I drove the truck to work this morning and the lights have remained off! So, replacing the rear speed sensor on the differential was the fix for my problem.

Here is the list of the ABS-light blink codes for the 1994-1996 system:
1 Not used
2 Open Isolation Valve wiring or Bad Control Module
3 Open Dump Valve wiring or Bad Control Module
4 Closed RWAL Valve Switch
5 Over 16 dump pulses generated in 2WD vehicles
6 Erratic Speed Sensor reading while rolling
7 ECM fuse pellet open, isolation output missing, or valve wiring short to ground
8 Dump output missing or valve wiring short to ground
9 Speed Sensor Wiring (high resistance)
10 Speed Sensor Wirign (low resistance)
11 Brake Switch always on
12 not used
13 ECM PLL failure
14 ECM Program Check failure
15 ECM random-access memory failure

 

Although those rear sensors are notorious for going bad. The leaking line was most likely the problem. A lot of people replace the sensor and still have the lite on, before they find the leak.

 

I need helping fixing my 1994 dodge
it has the abs code 5 flashes.. it's over 16 dump pulses how do I fix it??

 

2 or 4 wheel ABS?