ABS Problem diagnosing?

Question

I unhooked the ABS wire from the pass side rear wheel. It no longer locks up on me, but of course ABS light is still on. Has not locked up since I disconnected it. This side also has a leaking rear brake cylinder. Is that enuf to cause the ABS to go goofy? Or is it a sensor? what can be cleaned or fixed before a new part has to be built. Dealer will scan if I come with ABS light on, but wants $37.50 just to hook up scanner. Of course, I would re-connect terminal wire to rear first. Advise? thanks I have to get this fixed before winter, or I will be sideways alot of the time !!!!

Answer 1

Chances are that the leaking cylinder has been leaking long enough to allow for the collection of debris on the sensor and / or tone ring.
Use some BRAKE CLEANER manufactured and sold for this purpose to clean the entire brake area, and if the lining on the shoes or pads is contaminated with the brake fluid or axle grease, replace the lining on both sides. Replace the cylinder(s) or at least repair the leak, if not for the ABS system, then for the brakes. It is likely that it is the contamination is the cause of the lock-up, and your having accessed the brake assembly (and perhaps cleaning the area) is the reason that it hasn't locked up lately.
The sensor only counts the pulses on the tone ring, and most likely hasn't anything to do with the malfunction.
If you repair the cause of the leak, and repair or replace the necessary parts, the ABS light should go out and the cost of the dealer's scanner will be unnecessary.
(AND your car will be safer as a benefit!)

Good Luck

Answer 2

Some chain auto parts stores will loan you a scanner or scan a car for you. Call around and ask. My Kragen will do a full charging system check for you at no cost. Of course they are hoping you buy your parts from them. If all else fails, buying a scanner is not a bad investment. Especially if the car is about out or is out of warranty and you plan to keep it for a while. My son bought a new Durango a while back. He bought a scanner at the same time. He plugs it in and checks it on the first Saturday of the every month. In about 18 months, he has caught two problems before any of the on-board systems were indicating anything. BTW, check the price on the scanner and compare it to what the shop wants. How many times must you use it to have it pay for itself. Remember many times the first test only shows the first problem and you may have to run several tests to correct one check engine light indication.

Answer 3

Fix the leaking wheel cylinder first, no mater what it has to be fixed . It could cause the sensor to give false reading causing the lock up problem. After fixing leaking wheel cylinder you will also have to replace the brake shoes, once soaked with brake fluid there no good. Have your brakes fixed, how much is your or someones life worth.

Answer 4

i own a repair shop,and its possible its both causing the light to come on,a leaky cylinder will cause the brake not to work right on it,and it may also cause the sensor to go wacky on it also i have seen them do some weird things before,id say you,ll need a new sensor on it and we already know you need a new wheel cylinder on it,and auto zone can clear the trouble code off of it for you once you get it fixed ,and you,ll save the 37.50 they can also scan it to see if it has any other bad sensors on it,good luck,i hope this help,s.

Answer 5

iron hand is giving you a better answer then dodge man that owns a repai shop. fix the leaking brakes replace the shoes and hook the abs back up and you will be good to go



cert. master ase tech

Answer 6

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF ABS IS TO NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER TO "LOCK UP THE BRAKES" BUT ALLOW THE COMPUTER TO APPLY THE BRAKES IN PULSES AND SLOW THE VEHICLE SAFELY. THE LEAKING REAR WHEEL CYL. IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE LOCK UP PROBLEM. AS BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKED AND ABSORBED BY THE FRICTION MATERIAL, IT SWELLS AND APPLIES THE BRAKES DIS-PROPORTIONALLY ON ONE SIDE. REPLACE ANY LEAKING BRAKE PARTS "NOW".