I went out 4-wheeling today, and about 3/4 the way through I noticed the ABS & Brake lights were on and the speedometer wasn't working either. The check engine light is also on, but that has been on since we bought the truck (bought it many years ago, 2001 Dodge 1500). My brake lights are also permanently on (even if truck is off). I looked on this forum, and a few others (I also Google'd it) but couldn't find anything quite like my problem, they all talked about sensors in the brake drums/rotos/calipers and then the rear diff, but I am pretty sure none of that is my problem.

I tested the brakes and ABS doesn't work anymore. I figured it was just some wiring the got screwed up because I didn't do anything except drive on dirt, didn't go through water or anything like that.

So, I looked around under the drivers side and I found a plug that was just hanging down, and I found that it had like a button on it, and when you push the button down the brake lights go off, also if you unplug the whole connector thing with the button the brake lights stay off. I was looking around for somewhere that could go, and I found a place, if you look at the brake pedal and follow it up there is this piece of metal and there is a little hole shaped like
==( )==
and then surrounding the button (at the base) there is a thing that looks like this (ignore the dots)
.....||
==( )==

So, I'm guessing if I can get the plug back in that hole the brake and ABS lights will go off (and maybe ABS will work again, I dunno). But what about the speedo? Any ideas what happened there? I've gone 69mph and the speedo never got off 0. The RPM meter works fine though.

Sorry for the really long post, but I really need to get this fixed, but I don't really have the money to take it to the shop. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Do you have 4 wheel anti-lock brakes? If you only have 2 wheel anti-lock brakes, which are standard in all of our trucks except maybe the very early models, it is most likely the sensor on the rear differential. I maybe wrong, but if the speedo isn't working and your BRAKE and ABS light is on your rear anti-lock brake sensor is out.

 

Well I am 90% sure it's 2-wheel ABS. Do you have any articles on how to replace the rear diff ABS sensor? I read that the part is only like $40, is that accurate?

 

Is this thread still accepting questions or comments? I am having a similar problem with my 19996 Dodge RAM 2500 4x4.

 

Yeah, I suppose so as long as you brought this old thread up.
What specifically is your problem?

 

I am having the same issues as Ryuske. This thread ended without a resolution.

 

Changing the rear ABS sensor worked for me. That was the resolution to this thread.

 

Thank you