My truck suposidly has ABS. It has an ABS light that comes on when the key is turned to on before I start the truck but goes back off as normal. But on snow/ice I can lock up all 4 tires and the ABS don't kick in.

I personaly don't care if it works or not but I'd like to figure out why the light isn't on if it ins't working....

The truck in question is a 96 1500 4x4 sport.

Thanks...

 

Same here

*edit* Actually I think I remember seeing we have rear abs....am I correct???

 

I believe 99 and newwer do. I'm not sure if mine does. I never looked at the rear axle.

 

all the 2nd gens have rear ABS, and some were optioned with 4 wheel ABS. if the tone ring sensor in the rear axle isnt working correctly your ABS will not work.


and 5.9...are you sure you're locking up all 4 wheels and not just the fronts? the purpose of the rear abs is to keep the back end of the truck from sliding around under panic stops.

 

If you check the factory sticker on the underside of the hood (if it is still there) you can see if you have the optional all wheel ABS system.There are also several fuses and relays for the system to function properly. I believe that there is a fuse and relay in the box next to the battery (under the hood), as well as two fuses in the fuse panel inside the cab on the drivers side.

When you are on dry pavement and stand on the brakes, can you feel a pulsing in the brake pedal or do all four tires lock up?

 

I'm pretty sure I get all 4 wheels to lock up. I check slide marks in the snow and it seems to me that its a 4 wheel lock up.

 

Not sure how the ram ABS was designed to function but from my experience driving several2nd gen. rams, they've all worked the same. The ABS only engages on REALLY slick surfaces like icy snow pack,pure ice or wet pavement markings. Justplain snow does not always trigger it even though the wheels seem to lock. There must be just enough rotation to prevent it from engaging but still enough lock up for the truck to slide.

On the other hand, a couple third gen. rams i've driven will engage ABS in a firm stop on dry pavement. There must have been a significant ABS design change between the gens.