So, i have a 1997 ram 1500 5.9L magnum sport

I just bought it from an uncle, as it was being unused and sitting for around 4 months. Upon the first drive of the vehicle i noticed that the front drivers side brake was locked up and pinching. I drove it for about five minutes on the property and it broke free. i later noticed that when i turn off the truck, when i come back in the morning the abs and brake light is on and the brake is pinching again. Im currently in the process swapping the t case drive chain so i havent been able to do much in the way of diagnostics but i was wondering if anyone had any idea of what this could be or some sort of suggestions on what to do


THANKS FOR READING!!!!

 

1st find out if there were brake problems Before the truck was parked. If it sat for 4 months the brake parts may be rusted and siezing up. Dissasemble and clean up the brakes on each wheel. Replace parts as required you may have broken clips or springs when things "broke" free. Proportinal valve may not be releasing the pressure on the caliper.

Either way Brakes will be part of safty check so need to be looked at.

 

Would this explain the abs and brake light being on?

 

Not really.

is it 2 or 4 wheel ABS?

 

4 wheel

 

4 wheel

 

You Do have a known issue(s) with your brakes and you don't mention if the parking brake is causing a light and don't know if a pre existing brake or ABS problem was there when your Uncle parked the truck for 4 months.


You have to start somewhere and be methodical or you will just go in circles. Brakes are life and death matter ABS not so much as long as you know they don't work.


When I got on my 98 Ram the orange ABS light AND Red Brake light was on too. Because I was preparing for a safety inspection, I did all the brake work 1st because they needed doing. It did not clear the either of the lights.


In Canada, no mechanic will pass a safety with a RED brake indicator light on which normally indicates a brake component failure. But the amber ABS caution light can be on and still pass a safety.


My pads, shoes, pistons, calipers Master cylinder, lines and E brake and master cylinder were all looked at and fixed as required and now KNOWN to be 100% ok.


Since I then knew, at that for a fact, nothing in the brake system was a failed state the 2 lights had to be caused by the ABS system.


Sure enough when I replaced the ABS sensor, on the rear Differential, both lights cleared.


CAUTION: The ABS sensor should be an easy swap out. BUT They tend to snap off and leave the unit in the differential! then you have to open the differential pull the gears and remove the magnet and bits of plastic of the broken sensor.


Google removing rear ABS sensor (lots of solution hits)
Google removing broken ABS sensor lots of questions not many GOOD solutions


If the sensor beaks, DO NOT ATTEMPT to pound the stuck sensor into the differential thinking it will fall to the bottom of the pumpkin and you can just remove the bits when you open the cover! All you will do is pound the sensor in to The tone gear! Now you have a truck you can not move with out risking breaking teeth on the ring gear.

 

With 4 wheel ABS, you need to get codes read, to see why the lite is on. Much more to go wrong on those. Otherwise, you can throw parts at it till the cows come home, and still not fix it.