ESP BAS ABS Lights On

graycenphil · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 11:47 am

Just driving along a couple days ago, and the three lights came on: ESP/BAS, ABS and the skidding icon. Ran through a few stop start cycles, hoping it would go away but it hasn't.

From searching, I see it could be a brake switch problem, or maybe one of the wheel speed sensors. No codes on the OBDII. Anyway to diagnose this, before I star throwing parts at it?

Thanks.

Silverdiesel · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 1:56 pm

Had same problem few months back.
Could be a wheel sensor, mine was wiring in rear to the sensors bad. Moparpartsamerica had harness. You start at a connection under the passenger seat driver's side.
When you are at that under seat harness one can find that fuel pump 12v line as it ends there as a prong on the jeep side and no prong on the repl wire harness. I had spliced into that wire and ran it along new harness then wrappped it up for later above the diff as I subsequently installed an after market lift pump.

Roland

graycenphil · **Posted:** Fri May 03, 2013 8:46 pm

Thanks Silverdiesel. How did you decide it was one of the rear sensors? Is there any way to diagnose these things, other than replacing it?

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

You have to find a shop that can read and pull the ABS system codes. Dealership wanted $129 for diagnostic so I found a shop that did it for $25. Once code is read, replace that wheel sensor (about 12-20 bucks), if that doesn't fix the problem, then you have a wiring issue.

My money is on bad wiring to right rear wheel sensor. No need to buy a new wiring harness, just splice a new wire parallel to the bad one once you track it down.

Good luck.

graycenphil · **Posted:** Sat May 04, 2013 7:05 am

Thanks Drewd. I might be just as well off replacing them one at a time until I find the bad one; better than going to the dealer anyway.

I'll start at the right rear wheel...

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

No, because if you have a wiring issue, you won't know where to look assuming sensor replacement doesn't fix the issue.

I've had two wiring problems since 06. First time was right rear wheel harness wire and next time was wire break to right front wheel.

Most shops won't charge you a dime if they can't read the code.

Ask TJK (he works at a Firestone) if they can pull ABS codes.

graycenphil · **Posted:** Sat May 04, 2013 10:03 pm

I went to Advance Auto Parts today - they have an ABS scanner. Didn't pull up any code.

I also looked at the parts on Rock Auto. The picture looks like the sensor comes with the wiring, unless that is just a generic picture. Also - they didn't list separate sensors for the right and left rear, just one for the differential. That isn't right, is it?

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2013 7:13 am

Correct. That is info for '05. '06 has two in the rear.

DOC

graycenphil · **Posted:** Sun May 05, 2013 7:16 am

Thanks.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

The cheap handheld scanners that you find at Advance or any auto part store are not going to be able to read the ABS codes.

The shop I go to has a tough time getting into the system to read the codes and it often takes repeated attempts with multiple errors reading before they can pull the codes.

Strongly suggest you go to a shop or a dealership. If ABS/ESP lights are one and they can't pull codes, go elsewhere.

graycenphil · **Posted:** Tue May 07, 2013 6:12 am

Thanks Drewd. I just hate going to the dealer....

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

I hate the dealership too but you should be able to find a shop that can pull the codes with something other than a $99 handheld scanner.

graycenphil · **Posted:** Thu May 09, 2013 9:04 am

Took off the rear wheels and started checking wires. Everything looks good in the back, so I took off the plugs, and the connections are clean. I tested the two rear sensors with an ohm meter. Left rear was about 460, right rear was infinite. So I think I have a bad sensor there. Ordered a new one from the dealer ($18) and it should be in this morning. We'll see if that fixes it.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

FYI, rockauto sells them too.

graycenphil · **Posted:** Fri May 10, 2013 3:12 pm

Yes, I like Rockauto. And even with the shipping, they were half the price of the dealer. But I wanted to get it right away, and it was only $10 more.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

Did the new sensor fix your problem?

graycenphil · **Posted:** Sat May 11, 2013 6:50 am

Unfortunately, no. Same situation. But I did figure out my mistake. The sensor has a + and a -. If I put the ohm meter on one way, it shows bad. If I reverse the leads, it shows 460. So I must have had the leads on backwards when I tested that sensor.

I guess I'll pull the front wheels and test the sensors and check the wires.....

BTW, for anyone else doing this, I found on the rear wheels it is much easier to remove the sensor with the wire attached (10 mm bolt) and then remove the connector.

Drewd · **Joined:** Mon Feb 06, 2006 12:24 pm **Posts:** 902

In my experience, the sensors rarely go bad... they are just sealed magnetic pickup sensors. I hope it turns out to be a sensor. The front sensors are a little harder to get to.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Sat May 11, 2013 3:03 pm

Keep in mind that an internal and possibly intermittent break in the wire to the sensor inside the insulation has been known to happen and may be your problem

graycenphil · **Posted:** Sun May 12, 2013 6:37 am

That's what I'm afraid of - so much harder to find.

ESP BAS ABS Lights On

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