'99 Ram 3500 CTD 2WD and new to the site. Can you help with dash light problem? My instrument panel ABS & Brake light stay on all the time. Scan indicates no codes. All systems work fine, except lights stay. I have disconnected the brake controller and no change. Thanks!
RedRam

 

MAybe your Scanner not picking up the ABS Codes Sounds like you have some Antilock Break Issues Man


DM

 

check your brake pedal switch. i've heard that'll happen when it goes bad...... maybe others will chime in. try to to a full system reset by disconnecting the batteries for a few minutes and then reconnecting them. that didn't work for mine but it's worth a shot. when did the lights come on for the first time? do they flash?

 

you're getting the system scanned while the lights are on right? not after they've gone off? i ask because many abs system don't retain the code once the module turns the light off.

i would guess it's the ebcm if the lights are on and there are no codes.

oh yeah,

 

On each wheel that is anti lock equiped, in your case the rears, there id a sensor on each of them. When my light stuck on this sensor had corroded on one of mine and I just needed to replace it. On the top of the rear axle gear housing there is also a speed sensor. I've never messed with it myself but some folks have reported that this sensor going bad has also tripped the light. You can use an ohm meter to check the speed sensor to make sure it's gettin juice.

 

Thanks for the replies. It does provide me with some direction for I am at a loss here. I did scan the system with the key on which showed no code errors. My speedometer works just fine for I have heard that when the sensor goes TU the speedometer will not register until reaching 30+ mph. That is not the case with mine.

I will check the connection on the rear end housing to see if that helps. Following that I will disconnect the batteries to see if that helps. Just want to do one thing at a time so I know what corrects (hopefully) the problem.

Don't ya just love these electronic systems subject to all kinds of conditions? "give:
Dave

 

Well, tried cleaning the sensor connection on top of the rear end housing. No change. Disconnected the both batteries for an hour. Cleaned the terminals and put the cables back on. Only change is the clock is off.

Can one of you smart electronic guru's suggest another course of action prior to a dealership visit? I am stumped and would appreciate another possibility that is causing my ABS and Brake lights to stay on all the time.

Thanks!
Dave

 

try pulling the ABS fuse with the key in the on position for ~30 seconds or so and see if that clears them. i'm searching for some more info i know it's out there let me see if i can find it.

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have you tried to replace the brake light switch? it's only 11.99 at autozone. part number for your truck is CR4834. also is your truck 4W ABS or 2W ABS? if 4 wheel then look at all the wires to the front sensors. also look at the driver's side sway bar link for the rear bar as some times it will be SEVERELY rubbing on the emergency brake cable AND the harness for the rear Wheel Speed Sensor. some people have had it rubb through the outer harness, and through the insulation on one of the wires exposing the copper conductor, allowing it to short out on the sway bar link. you can slit a piece of fuel line and (after coating the exposed wire with RTV), zip tie it over the wire, secured the E-Brake cable and harness to provide clearance.
i hope this helps.

Benjamin

 

Not sure on the newer ones, but mine are on in my '89. I think the mastercylinder is bad. That's what was wrong with my buddy's '89 when his one on. Probably a dumb question, but r your brakes good? do you have plenty of fluid in them? I've seen on Fords, when the abs light was on because the brake lights were not working.

 

your speedometer can still work fine and still have a bad sensor, I know it happened to my 99'. Also the comment about checking your pedal is very good also I cant remember what exactly it was (I will try to find the info) but something on the pedal was causing the light to go off for some reason.

If I remember right the sensor was something like 30 dollars instead of racking your brain atleast try replacing that first. Try out the small cheap things before you start pulling your truck apart it always sucks to find out after you have destroyed your truck that it was really only a 10 min fix.

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Here it is, I copied it from another forum.

I posted a similar response to the same problem that i had with my 1993 diesel dodge, what i found was that the brake switch under the dash at the brake pedal mounts to a clip, and when the brake pedal is applied it allows the switch to open the circuit, in turn that signals the opening of circuit and brake lights go on, I purchased a new switch assuming it was the switch but no luck, what i did find out is that the button was not contacting the pedeal all the way, so after a few miles of driving my brake warning and anti lock lights would go on, because the circuit was opened it would send a fault to my computer, after the adjustment I have had no problem any more, also the brake switch controls a few other function like the cruise and antilock brakes, I also noticed that everytime I put my anti theft pedal lock on I would push the brake pedal up to far, and the lights would go on, I have to figure a way to keep the brake pedal from pushing the switch out of the clip, it is not bolted down and it also acts as the brake pedal stop, so brake pedals does not go to far up, other vehicle have a medal stop. I hope this is informative and works. let me know?