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98 Durango ABS / Brake Light Problems Continue

8K views 5 replies 5 participants last post by  99surangoslt 
#1 ·
Alright guys, I've been lurking around these forums for quite a while trying to figure out to do with my brake problem on the Durango.

Almost every post on this forum regarding the ABS and Brake lights coming on is related to a wheel speed sensor. I'm not so sure that's what my problem is.

The problem - my 98 Durango (5.2 V8) randomly illuminates the ABS and Brake lights, always together. ABS then quits working until I restart the truck. Sometimes they will stay off other times they come right back on. Regardless they always come back on, it's just a matter of when. Something that may or may not be related - when I turn the truck to the on position (not started) I hear a quick "grind" noise coming from near the ABS modules under the hood. From what I read it performs a test at startup, this may or may not be related to my problem but thought it worth mentioning. This happens on every start up regardless of whether or not the dash lights come on.

Rear speed sensor - My speedometer is working fine. Most reports I read state that the speedo will quit working under 20MPH and that is in fact what happens when I disconnect this sensor. I have not checked the resistance in the sensor as I have no specs to compare it to.

Front speed sensors - I checked each of these individually. They both read approximately the same resistance (I don't have that number here with me but can get it if it will help). Also with my multimeter hooked up and I can spin each tire and get AC voltage coming from the sensors.

CAB Module - Not much I can check here on my own I don't think. I wiggle the wires, tap it with a screwdriver and nothing I do can make the lights come on.

I pulled the OBD-II codes with the scanner at Advance Auto Parts, and it comes back clear. However my understanding is that the brake codes are stored in the CAB controller and can't be accessed with a standard scan tool.

Thus is my dilemma. Ever since I took my first car (1988 Chevy Beretta) to the stealership for them diagnose and fix a miss problem and charge me $800 to replace an injector to still have the problem, I have vowed to stay as far away from these places as possible. (Ended up being a coil pack which I found myself by checking resistances, one of my first car repair endeavors.)

But I don't know what else to check / do. I need to get this problem fixed. My wife drives this truck and I don't feel it is safe for her to be driving with the ABS randomly shutting off. I could handle it, she can't.

Any ideas would be appreciated. I guess if I can't come up with anything I will have to go to Dodge where they are going to charge me $75 just to hook it up to the computer and tell me what MIGHT be wrong. If the sensors weren't so stinking expensive I would just replace all of them.

Anyway, sorry for being so long winded. Thanks in advance.

Tom
 
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#2 ·
My abs and brake lights were on with no speedo issues. Replaced the rear wheel speed sensor and the lights went off. I think the part is only $40 or so. I'd replace that first.
 
#3 ·
I guess because of your post and all the documented problems with the rear speed sensor and because it isn't very expensive I think I am going to go ahead and swap it out. It is pretty easy and Dodge has it in stock. I will update everyone on what happens!

Thanks again,
Tom
 
#4 ·
The speedo may or may not be affected. When my sensor went bad, the speedo stayed working.
 
#5 ·
But it is a hit or miss, I had this problem people on these forums said to change rear wheel Speed sensor, I did, it worked for, maybe, a week. light came back on at random time, eventually the lights stayed on. Finally came down to changing the ABS module (a year or so later) out, no light since. Driving w/out abs is no biggie, cars of years past never had abs. just understand that in a skid, you will skid. with ABS you have a pulsing skid.
 
#6 ·
I replaced the RearSpeedWheelSensor and then reseted the computer, and lights went off, then came back again, I reseted again over and over until lights went off permanently. I think I finally deleted the code, and also the ABS works perfect.
I reseted this way: with the key on the off position, press and hold the odometer button and turn power to the on position without starting the engine, keep holding the button for 5 seconds approx. and the instruments will start to move like crazy, then disconnect the battery -and leave the key on the on position- for a minute. then turn off and reconnect the battery.

this procedure will reset the computer and ABS light will go off for a couple of startups, then will came back again and repeat this procedure again, and do it over and over again until the lights go off 4 ever.

ζΞΔ
 
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