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2 problems need urgent fix.

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Old 07-29-2010, 01:30 AM
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2 problems need urgent fix.

So i got pulled over for a tail light being out the other day.
they gave me an inspection notice and i have to get a whole list of things fixed in 2 weeks or im off the road.

The first one is the ABS and park brake light have been on since i got this truck. and have been on as long as the previous owner could remember. i know theres a lot of posts about this and ive done a lot of reading but most others problems seem to come with some symptoms. but my breaks are fine. ive bled them and had the shop inspect them and everything checks out. Where would be the first place to start looking to fix these lights?

the second is that i have no tail lights, marker lights or dash lights. and also no horn. (this is very recent and and i had the ABS/park brake light on befor this happened)
ive read that the headlight switch is know for going bad. is there some other test i should do befor throwing and new switch at it?

thanx in advance! I really appreciate all the help you folks offer.
Old 07-29-2010, 03:00 AM
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There is an ABS brain box behind the glove box, if you disconnect / reconnect the connector it should clear your ABS/Brake warning lights on the message center. They come on my 1993 when I drive above 80 for a sustained amount of time up a long grade.
Old 07-29-2010, 05:45 AM
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Or just unplug the message center from behind your dash. And both your brake lights and taillights don't work? Or just your tailights when you turn your lights on? What about blinkers?
Old 07-29-2010, 09:47 AM
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i have headlights, blinkers, brake lights and four ways. just no running tail lights and no dash lights.

and ill try uplugging the ABS box
Old 07-29-2010, 11:17 AM
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unplugging the ABS didnt work. lights cam right back on.

i read somewhere about how to run the ABS codes. if im reading it correctly it just keeps flashing the code 9 over and over. and then after i started the check over a whole bunch of times i would get 7 and 8 but only on 1 or 2 tests out of about 7.

so in the sticky it says code 9 is the speed sensor wiring / resistance.
is this reffering to the vehicle speed sensor? my speedo wasnt work and i just replaced the speed sensor which fixed it, but the brake lights were on befor and after the fix.

ill try unplugging things and check some wiring and see what that shows.
Old 07-29-2010, 11:27 AM
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Yea that sounds like the switch to me or a lose wire somewhere
Old 07-29-2010, 12:39 PM
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If the code is referencing an ABS problem then the speed sensor it describes is the one in the differential. Could be a shorted or cut wire running to it if it's finding resistance.
Old 07-29-2010, 12:44 PM
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Your running light problem is probably just a fuse. Mine does that from time to time and its always a shorted wire on the trailer or license plate light on the truck. Also I left the abs box unplugged which kept light off and it stops okay.
Old 07-29-2010, 12:55 PM
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im not blowing any fuses/dont have one blown so its not that.

im checking resistance in the abs speed sensor. should the sensor itself have any resistance? im gettting an unmeasurable amount of resistance.

if i leave the abs box unplugged with the abs light come on and off as the test upon startup? i need that to happen to pass my inspection.
Old 07-29-2010, 01:18 PM
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Would it be legal to remove the ABS system?

Find the feed for the taillights and put a toggle on it.
Old 07-29-2010, 01:59 PM
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Just take the ABS bulb out Problem solved ?
Old 07-29-2010, 02:04 PM
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no because they require it to light up upon start for the test. then it must turn off on its own.

anyone know what the proper ohms are for the ABS sensor in the Diff?
Old 07-29-2010, 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by grim
no because they require it to light up upon start for the test. then it must turn off on its own.

anyone know what the proper ohms are for the ABS sensor in the Diff?
Try pulling it out and cleaning it, it is a real easy 1 bolt job. Where do you live? They have 1 tough test... Mark
Old 07-29-2010, 04:04 PM
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man im having some bad luck with this truck.
tried taking it out. its completely seized. and it broke off almost flush with the diff case.
any ideas to remove it?
Old 07-29-2010, 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by grim
man im having some bad luck with this truck.
tried taking it out. its completely seized. and it broke off almost flush with the diff case.
any ideas to remove it?
If you take the cover off the rear end it looks like you can drive it out from below. The good news is I think you found your abs light problem. When I wrote that it is an easy job, I forgot that the rest of the world has to deal with rust and corrosion ..Mark


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