94 Dodge 2500. I got into an accident a couple weeks ago. I was pulling my trailer w/ cruiser and I smashed up my passenger side front end up pretty good. I took my truck to the body shop to have it fixed. When I took it the truck didn’t have the ABS light on. When I picked it up it was constantly on. They told me that they took it to the Dodge dealer and ran codes on the computer and came to the conclusion that it was an actual wiring harness problem and then continued to blame it on my trailer wiring harness. But they assured me nothing was wrong with the brakes. My brakes lock up now and the ABS light is always on. Like I said I didn’t have this problem before the accident or before I took it into the shop. They told me if I want them to check it out further that it is going to cost me money out of my pocket for troubleshooting and on top of that I have to pay for a rental car. I don’t have the money or time to let them fool around with it a couple more days (probably been too long ago anyway).

So is there anything I can/should check?

 

The ABS warning light on '94 & '95 stays on for something like 50 on/off cycles of the key even if the trouble code was only recorded once. Just a broken wire or running the truck with the ABS relay removed will throw the code. Disconnecting the batteries works on newer trucks to clear the code but not on 94 & 95. When this happened to me I just got used to the light being on even though everything was working right till one day the light went out and never came back on. I assume I had reached the required number of on/off cycles to clear the code.
Your brakes locking up sounds like you may have a real problem though.

 

From my book...

-- This is for the 4 Wheel ABS ---

"A system fault, such as the loss of speed sensor signal, or solenoid failure, will cause the amber light to come on. The most effective procedure here is to check for obvious damage first. Beyond this, the system will have to be checked with a DRB II scan tool, or equivant tester."

So on the side of the vehicle that took the damage make sure they haven't damaged the speed sensor wiring to the front rotors.

--- RWAL (Rear wheel Version) ---

"The stored code can be displayed by grounding the RWAL dianostic connector and counting the number of flashes on the ABS lamp. To clear a fault code disconnect the control module or disconnect the battery for 5 seconds.

--- Note: the book doesn't tell where the connector is at???

--- Flash codes ---
1. Not used
2. Open isolation valve or bad control module
3. Open dump valve wiring or bad control module
4. Closed RWAL valve switch
5. Over 16 dump pulses generated
6. Erratic speed sensor
7. Electronic control module fuse pullet open, isolation output missing, or valve wiring shorted to ground.
8. Dump output missing or valve wiring shorted to ground.
9. Speed sensor wiring / resistance (usually high)
10. Sensor wiring / resistance (usually low)
11. Brake switch always on.
12. Not used
13. Electronic control module phase lock loop failure.
14. Electronic control module check faliure.
15. Electronic control module RAM failure.

 

Check your wiring sounds like it may have a damaged or a loose or open wire/connection. If you have 4wal Ckeck the front sensors to see if the got moved away from the tooth ring wheel, It may not be getting a speed signal. When the abs light is on abs is inop, but should not effect your braking. Sounds like you have a problem if it is looking up.

 

First of all you need to tell us what system you have. (4 wheel or rear wheel anti lock). Most trucks only have the rwal, but 4wal was an option. Easy way to tell is to look for any wiring leading to the front hubs. No wiring=rear wheel only. If its indeed rear wheel you can jump a wire in the diag connector to ground and it will flash codes. From there we can see which direction to go.

 

Find out whether the body shop had to do anything that required a line bleed or removing a caliper. On the '94 pushing the pads in to remove a caliper will (may) cause a problem with the proportioning ? valve and result in the light coming on.

Make sure that the fuse for the RWAL is not blown in the panel.

 

Thanks for all the help guys.

It is 4w ABS. I checked the front wheel sensor and it looks good to me.

They allegedly ran the codes at a dealership and thats where they came out with the idea that it is just my wiring. I dont agree because I have not installed anything nor did I have any problems until I took it into the body shop for repairs.

Fuse is not blown either

My thoughts are that the dealership or the body shop that SAID they took it to the dealer were full of crap. I guess my best bet from here would to be to take it back to another dealership and see what they say. I just dont want to spend anymore money then I already have and the principality of the whole thing being taken care of by my insurance.

Is there a way to get the light to just turn off? Is it a single wire going to the back of the light that I can cut? I tried pulling the fuse but it controls other things too.

 

I think that the light may well go out by itself after a while. My has done this twice now.

 

MOPAR1973MAN
I've heard that pin 13 is the correct pin to ground to get the diagnostic codes from the RWAL module; is this correct? I am getting the Brake and ABS lights on intermittently and want to get the codes. When I ground pin 13 the ABS light doesn't flash.

My truck is a 1996 Dodge Ram 2500.

 

is your cruise workin if not check your vaccume lines leaks will make brake and abs light come on