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ABS and Brake Dummy Lights


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Hey gang, just finished my little RMS/FMS and TB project and just for kicks threw some new pads up front. Within a week, my ABS warning light came on along with the red brake light. Upon start up, the ABS light goes out but comes back on after self check the. Just to be sure, I put new pads on the rear but the light(s) must be indicating something more severe.

 

My Pathy friends say it's no big deal and one of them simply took the inidicator lights out of the dash.....

 

The brakes are a tad spongy and may have a very small amount of air in them, but I'm thinking the warning lights are for some else all together.

 

any ideas??

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Usually it's a bad wheel speed sensor.

 

Really? ok thanks

 

My next question (and you had to know I was going to ask) is what is a wheel speed sensor and how difficult/expensive is the repair.

 

and thanks again

Edited by BajaBound
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Really? ok thanks

 

My next question (and you had to know I was going to ask) is what is a wheel speed sensor and how difficult/expensive is the repair.

 

and thanks again

 

ABS = Antilock Brake System

Locked brake / wheel = a wheel/break that is no longer spinning. If the vehicle is still moving this means the wheel is skidding or sliding

locking up = a wheel / brake approacing the locked brake condition

 

ABS control module uses a wheel speed sensor on each wheel so it knows that all wheels are traveling @ the same speed. when you hit the brakes (mostly on slippery condidtions or when you hit them hard in good conditions) it makes sure that none of the wheels lock up. so if you need to stop and one wheel rolls over and oil patch the wheel speed sensor will see that wheel slowing down and the ABS will reduce brake preassure to that wheel while increasing brake preassure to the other wheels. because that wheel did not become locked the vehilce was able to slow down without swerving or pulling. rubber stops you best when its just below flirting with that fine line between slipping (locked) and gripping pavemtent. the ABS controls your bakes to keep you close to that line while trying not to let you cross it. You may have noticed the light comes on (when it was working properly) while brakeing really hard, then again maybe you didn't notice the light because of the reason you were braking really hard. (damn j-walkers)

 

anyway I helped a friend whith is pontiac, the wheel speed sensor was integrated into the wheel bearing, we were actually chaning the bearing but it comes as one unit can do one without the other. For your sake I hope it is simpler than this since I'm gessing changing a wheel bearing on a pathy is a little harder thatn a pontiac G6

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Okay......first off....

 

A WD21 has NO wheel speed sensors. The ABS is rear only. The ABS sensor is on the rear pumpkin. No sensors at the wheels.

 

 

Secondly, if your brake light is on, and it's NOT because of the e-brake being engaged, you've got a problem. The ABS light simply means that the ABS system is malfunctioning, but regular brakes will work fine, except in the case where you've got an accompanying brake light.

 

You definitely have air in the system, and I've got a suggestion as to where...

 

halfway down the truck, on the passenger side, inner frame rail is the proportioning valve for the braking system. IT needs to be bled when you bleed the system.

 

Start from the rear, bleed the passenger side rear brake, then the drivers side. Then the proportioning valve. Then the front passenger side brake, then the front driver's brake.

 

Always bleed from furthest away from the reservoir, to the closest.

 

 

By the way, your friend who simply pulled the light, is a moron. Any friend who will tell you to do that on something as important as brakes isn't much of a friend. :rolleyes:

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By the way, your friend who simply pulled the light, is a moron. Any friend who will tell you to do that on something as important as brakes isn't much of a friend. :rolleyes:

 

x2

 

When you bleed your brakes you might as well get a big bottle of fluid and flush out all the old fluid in the lines. Brake fluid looks like whiskey, not coffee :aok: .

Edited by GrimGreg
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fluid?

 

I thought it was brake paste. Last time I pulled the calipers to see why they were sticking, I could clearly see the black brake paste. Looked good to me... not like that thin runny sh!t in other cars.

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A WD21 has NO wheel speed sensors. The ABS is rear only. The ABS sensor is on the rear pumpkin. No sensors at the wheels.

 

umm, i have all wheel ABS as far as i know. at least im pretty sure thats what the manual said?

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standard features on teh 95 LE 4WD:

 

Bucket Seats Center Console

Fog Lights Power Heated Mirrors

Keyless Entry System Limited Slip Differential

Power Antenna Power Brakes

Rear Window Defroster Sunroof

3.0L V6 SOHC 12V FI Engine 15 Inch Wheels

4-Speed Automatic Transmission Automatic Locking Hubs

Tachometer Alloy Wheels

Rear-Wheel ABS Anti-Theft Alarm System

Leather Seats Cruise Control

Power Steering Remote Trunk Release

Tilt Steering Wheel Leather Steering Wheel Trim

Air Conditioning Intermittent Windshield Wipers

Power Windows Privacy Glass

Rear Window Wiper Power Door Locks

Roof Rack AM/FM/Cassette/CD Audio System

Rear Spoiler Chrome Bumpers

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Check that manual again my friend. Rear ABS only on WD21's.

Or slam on the brakes on a gravel road and have someone tell you.... :lol:

 

Wow k9, the le's came with a cd player? Thats awesome.

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Or slam on the brakes on a gravel road and have someone tell you.... :lol:

 

Wow k9, the le's came with a cd player? Thats awesome.

Yep. A double DIN stereo. Same head unit for the XE/SE/LE in 95, but the LE came with the 2nd unit that was a CD player that plugged directly into the stock head unit.

 

I gave mine to SkinnyPedal.

Edited by Simon
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Check that manual again my friend. Rear ABS only on WD21's.

 

Well damn i thought i was special or something lol

at least that explians y my front tires lock so well when im doing burnouts. :laugh:

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Well damn i thought i was special or something lol

at least that explians y my front tires lock so well when im doing burnouts. :laugh:

 

 

Mucho thanks folks!!!!!

 

(sorry if that was a remedial question)

Edited by BajaBound
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Mucho thanks folks!!!!!

 

(sorry if that was a remedial question)

No worries. It only becomes remedial if it's been asked 46578 times, or if YOU have to ask more than once. :lol:

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No worries. It only becomes remedial if it's been asked 46578 times, or if YOU have to ask more than once. :lol:

Like the questions about suspension lifts :tired:

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Or any other question you, Kit or Missyota ask.... :nono:

Hey, at least i don't come up with like 26324653 excuses not to post pics :shiftyeyes: like someone else.

Edited by redfinder
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