1996 Ram 1500 regular cab with the RWAL. Both the ABS light and the brake light are on and I could use some guidance determining exactly what the cause is.


I have watched numerous videos and read as much as I can on this topic on forums and such, but I can't seem to find out exactly what's going on.

Perhaps a clue is that I had reset the codes by disconnecting the battery for a time, and the lights came back on just from turning the key to the on position ( not even starting the vehicle or pressing the brake ).


I've watched videos on how to trigger the system to start blinking to display the code, but I can not locate the ( wire ? connector ? ) to ground out the pin / wire to trigger this behaviour. The videos are not exactly clear where that connector is. I'm not even sure my truck has it.


I'd like to know if there is a way to test the electrical ABS valve body. I've found the ABS ("CAB" ) controller in the dash, but I don't know how to test that either.


But perhaps I'm barking up the wrong tree anyway ? I'm trying to pinpoint the problem without just throwing parts at it.

Thanks for any guidance here.

 

Watching.

I have a similar issue with my truck with the brake light coming on periodically, but the brakes work fine. I need to obtain the brake/ABS code to help determine what may be going on...

 

The brake warning comes on with the ABS warning but there are other faults that can trigger the brake warning alone, e.g. unequal brake pressure between the two circuits. The RWAL "service diag signal" is on pin 13 in the DLC/OBD2 connector, should be a black wire. For older pre-OBD2 trucks there is a connector under the dash.

 

https://dodgeforum.com/forum/2nd-gen...ode-count.html

 

From my experience, ABS & Brake lights has either been a bad ABS sensor, or a poor connection at the connector.

 

Ok. Thank you for that clarification. My truck definitely has the OBDII reader so I should short pin 13 in order to trigger the ABS light blinking, and I should stop looking for that other singular connector.

And you agree that shorting pin 13 to ground with the key in the "ON" position should cause the system to start blinking the ABS light ?

 

Also very helpful for some information, thank you.

 

So in my case .. the ABS sensor.. are you referring to the reader at the top of the rear differential ? That is the only wheel / movement sensor that my vehicle is equipped with. Unless you are referring to something else ?

 

OK --- I have done it ! I have shorted the pin 13 on the OBDII (OBD2) and the ABS light did start to flash. If I am reading it correctly, it is flashing 1 long one and 2 short ones ... so .. THREE shall be the number of the flashes, and the number of the flashes shall be THREE.

https://photobucket.com/share/a7e175...5-ed3b024b990d
Please, if you can watch the above 20 second video to concur.

Assuming that THREE flashes is correct :
3 Open Dump Valve wiring or Bad Control Module

So .. it is possible that the ABS valve body under the master cylinder / proportioning valve has one of the the valves "stuck" ?

UPDATE : I was wrong .. the video shows TWO flashes !!!! One long, then one short, and then back to long again restarting the flash cycle. Thanks to @DerTruck for pointing that out !!

 

Watching

When shorting pin 13 to ground, would it be jumped to pin 4 (Chassis Ground) or just jump to dash frame?

I’ve tried shorting pin 13 before with my 1998 1500 5.9l, with no luck