Your Dodge ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) light illuminates when there is an issue
in its system; it performs a self-check when starting up your car each day to detect
issues as soon as possible.
An experienced mechanic can use an ABS scanner to read ABS codes and pinpoint
what’s ailing the system. Common causes for ABS lights being illuminated include
blown fuses, damaged wheel speed sensors and low brake fluid levels.
Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
Failure of a wheel speed sensor often triggers an ABS warning light to illuminate. The
ABS computer uses these sensors to assess how fast each wheel is slowing down;
when inaccurate information is provided by these sensors, the ABS system acts like
its older traditional equivalent and applies pressure across all four wheels
simultaneously.
These sensors use coils of wire encased around magnetic cores. When connected
with a wheel’s ABS ring, the sensor produces an electric signal which increases in
frequency and amplitude as the wheel spins; this information is sent back to an abs
computer which uses it to determine how quickly a wheel is slowing and whether or
not brake pressure needs to be applied.
If your ABS sensor is malfunctioning, replacing the module is likely the only solution
to solve the issue. An OBD-II scanner can help identify it by reading trouble codes
from your vehicle.
Faulty ABS Pump
If the ABS light on your Dodge Ram illuminates and remains illuminated for more
than a few seconds, this indicates a malfunction. This usually means the module
isn’t receiving or processing data from wheel speed sensors or tone rings. Or
possibly that its pump has become defective and won’t activate when applying
pressure to the brake pedal.
If a quick test of the sensor or unplugging and reinserting of the main harness didn’t
reset the light, check your owner’s manual for a fuse diagram or listing of which
fuses are used by your ABS controller. If that doesn’t solve it, visit a professional
shop equipped with code readers capable of communicating with your ABS controller
directly.
At a reasonable cost, they’ll use their code reader to connect it to your ABS
controller and read off any trouble codes stored within. From there they’ll tell you
which sensors or components need replacing in order to save time and money in the
long run.
Faulty ABS Control Module
If your Dodge Charger, Ram, Challenger, Durango or Grand Caravan’s ABS light and
traction control light have both illuminated at once, this could indicate that its
sensor has failed – an easy fix you can complete on your own at home.
Sensors located within each wheel hub measure the speed of each wheel and
transmit that information to an ABS controller. If that controller receives inaccurate
or no speed information, it triggers dashboard ABS light illumination.
Resetting the sensor can often be accomplished using a code reader to access
diagnostic trouble codes stored in the controller, usually by pulling a connector and
connecting two pins with wire or paperclip. If this does not resolve the issue,
replacing the sensor is often cheap and straightforward job that can be
accomplished within an hour – failing sensors could even cause the speedometer to
display either 0 or inaccurate speed readings.
Faulty ABS Module
If your ABS light remains illuminated after inspecting wiring and sensors, it could be
time for an ABS module replacement. A failed control module cannot read data from
wheel speed sensors correctly, triggering dashboard lights as a result. Corroded
modules or damaged connectors could have dislodged from sensors completely
causing these lights to illuminate on dashboards.
ABS sensors send their data to a computer which then instructs hydraulic valves and
pumps to reduce pressure on any wheel that appears to be locking up while driving,
helping avoid skidding or losing traction that would result if one were to lock up
while driving. This prevents skidding or losing traction which would otherwise occur
if one were locked up while driving.
Fuse for ABS controller may have been blown, leaving your module without access
to all the information it requires. To check, consult your owner’s manual for a
diagram and list of what each fuse does.