The ABS and Brake dash trouble lights are on, always together, about 50% of the time. Took truck to 2 local auto parts stores and they said their "reader" can only read "engine" and not "ABS" problems. Took truck to dealer and they wanted $75 just to "read" ABS problem! Left as trouble lights had gone off away. A friend had a similar problem which he solved by replacing the ABS Brake Sensor located on top of the rear driveline differencial. Back at auto parts house, they said that there are front and rear sensors, but they can't get the front sensor anyway - but are happy to sell me the rear sensor for $35. Any suggestions? Hate to pay $35 only to find out that this is not problem.

 

Hi yammer, welcome to the forum! Although I am not familiar with ABS, I did a quick search of this forum and came up with all of these posts regarding ABS issues: https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...archid=3487301
You could get even more information depending on the variants of your own search input. Give readers some information about your truck, year and what's in your build.

 

Sorry for confusion. I thought my truck profile which I previously filled out,would show up automatically in posting. I have a 2000 Dodge RAM 3500, 4WD, extended cab, diesel. Several modifications including flatbed and performance items which I don't believe would affect ABS/Brake system.

 

yammer, I have an innova 3030 OBDII code reader that includes some diagnostics for the ABS system. I think I paid 70 dollars for the unit at my local auto parts store and it basically paid for itself the first time I used it. Have you thought about going to AutoZone and letting them do a free scan? Who knows, you might get some answers from it.

 

I had the same trouble on my '99 a couple of years ago.

The harness that runs down the frame rail to the rear sensor was rubbing on the driver's side emergency brake cable near the rear axle.
It had rubbed all the way through the jacket and the insulation of the wires so it was intermittantly shorting out causing the malfunction light.

A little electrical tape, and a slit piece of fuel line to cover it with a couple of zip ties to hold it all in place and all's well.

 

Thanks Shovelhead, I will backtrack from the rear sensor to see if I also have am intermittent short in the wire especially near the emergency brake line..

Littlebuddy - the local AutoZone is one of the two auto parts stores which told me that their scanner could not diagnose ABS and Brake Trouble Lights. I will however look to see if they have the scanner for sale you mentioned, and see if it will do the job and if it is still $70. Regards.

 

Littlebuddy - When I tried to follow the ABS link you posted in your first reply, I got "No Matches". What Gives? Excuse me if I overlooked an obvious action ( and yes I did allow "pop-ups"). :-(

 

Sorry, I realize now that you can't link to search results. It was a page of results to a search of this forum using "ABS Light". A lot of information came up so you might want to try it yourself. As far as any particular OBD reader not being able to read and diagnose ABS problems, I don't know. There are codes applicable to ABS problems listed in the program files but now that I think of it, does not necessarily mean the unit is capable of reading them. In other words, the list might be generic to a large range and types of code readers. Never having thrown a ABS code myself, I don't know. In any case, it is a very useful tool but I hate for you to go buy one with the expressed purpose of diagnosing ABS problems and not have it be helpful to you. This is an interesting thread and I sure hope more people step up to offer you advice.

 

Thanks Littlebuddy. I did my own search of ABS and Brake Trouble lights and got several ides. Will research these over the next week. By the way I grew up in Corvallis and got a degree from OSU before moving away. Now live in Arkansas and Nevada. Regards.