ABS Light

[ROYBUCK]

My ABS light stays on all the time, I just dropped it off a couple hrs ago at a heavy duty truck service center to get it checked , just received a call they could not get a connection I don't know if he meant he couldn't get any codes or what, told me I would need to take it to a dealer, does any one know what he is talking about, I will ask him tomorrow when I go to pick it up, in the mean time he is going to un-hook the battery and let it re-set it's self, the center has a good reputation they have worked on the MH before. Just thought I would ask on here to see if any one had any information. Thanks. Roy

[Kidoo]

Thanks for the info manual, allway nice to have.

[Scrooge39]

I have a 2000 HR Ambassador. On mine, the procedure to read out the ABS codes is to remove the ABS bulb from the instrument panel, then turn the key to the “ON” position, reinstall the ABS bulb and read the blink codes from the ABS bulb. There is about a 1.5 second delay between the first code digit and the second, then a about a 4.5 second delay before the code is repeated (or a second code stored).
I was able to get, online, a manual that explained the codes. The manual I got is available at www.meritorwabco.com/MeritorWABCO_document/mm39.pdf.
This manual is for my MH, so you might want to check which manual is applicable to your MH.
Hope this helps identify your problem.

[Dale_Traveling]

You'll need someone with a better code reader capable of interfacing with the ABS controller to find the problem. Usually, as most posts have stated, a wheel sensor has failed but which one since there are three or maybe four. Not difficult to replace but you will need a bit of physical flexibility to reach the sensors and associated connectors.

Give Freightliner (assuming the they are the chassis builder) a call so they can direct you to a local chassis service center with the capabilities of testing the system. They might charge you a bit to run the test but will save you lots of time, effort and frustration swapping out good sensors.

[conceptumator]

I'll second what C-Leigh said. Fixed mine. Should return a code to tell you that's the issue. Five minute job to replace it.

[Pass42]

actually, at the risk of igniting a huge debate, I prefer to NOT have ABS.. I'm old enough that I actually like to have control of my vehicle.....as my son has said "the more they try to make the world idiot proof, the more idiots they create" To me, ABS reduces my sense of control & awareness of my vehicle... in my car I have had ABS activate... not a worse feeling for a driver!!!

[doxiemom11]

Ours light has been on 4 yrs now. Needed special appointment at truck/brake shop as dealer couldn't work on the chassis. Stated sensor probably just loose. We haven't bothered with it and we are fine with no abs. Up north they are advertised as helping on slippery wet surfaces which we do not drive on. Drove for many many years before ABS was ever invented , and can continue to do so.

[1SG]

When was the last time your brakes were adjusted? Even with auto slack adjusters, which you should have, you have to check them. An out of adjustment slack adjuster can also trigger the ABS light. I have had it happen to me.

[rgatijnet1]

When the ABS light stays on, you DO NOT have ABS. Your brakes will still work, but the anti-lock feature is off. IN other words, your wheels can lock up and skid.

[Pass42]

my ABS light is always on in my Tradewinds... I asked a truck fleet mechanic I know how to fix....he said a properly placed 3/4" x 3/4" piece of black electrical tape will solve the problem.......... my braking is fine, no issues..

[C-Leigh_Racing]

If you had a F53 Ford, all you would need to do is replace the censor on the top of the rear diff to cure the ABS light problem.

Mine would come on after a short distance driving, replaced that 12 dollar censor & light not came on since.
Neil

[ROYBUCK]

I didn't have any luck with the ABS light, the guy at the truck center said you need to pull the wheel off to get to it, I don't think he wanted to fool with it, if it had of been a Freightliner chassis probably would have been fixed. Can any one tell me where the sensor is, I am limited to any repairs due to my Disability but if it is somewhere where I can reach it by being on a creeper I will give a try, I live in a place where repairs to a MH is none existing.

Thanks
Roy

[Kidoo]

I had a sensor replaced and it fixed the problem. Just in case they are looking for the computor connector, my Monaco Cayman has a connector under the dash for the MH and one over the engine, you have to remove the room panel to get at this one.

For the ABS, they have to connect to the one under the dash, driver side, might have to remove the under dash panel to see it.

[johnsonbert]

Our 01 Ambassador w/similar chassis did that on a regular basis. If the wheel bearings have worn a little allowing some slack, on a rough road, the wheel would wobble very slightly and push the sensor away. The remedy was to park and shut it off, go underneath and pull the sensor out a little and firmly push it back in. Start and drive for .5 miles plus and the light should go out if that was the difficulty. Once I had the wheel bearings re-torqued to 80+ ftlbs, did not have that trouble any more. This is only one of many possibilities however. Hope this may help, happy trails Bert

[rgatijnet1]

Each wheel sensor has only one wire with two contacts. Just disconnect the connector, which is usually within two feet of the sensor itself and measure the resistance of each wheel sensor with an ohmmeter. A good wheel sensor will read between 800 and 1200 ohms. A bad one will usually read either zero ohms or infinity, as in an open circuit.