Ok car guys I need some help.

[CAP1]

I've been trying to figure out a problem I've been having but doing searches on the internet has just led me in circles.

On my old 1998 Dodge Ram the ABS amber light has started flashing every so often when I drive the truck. It doesn't do this all the time but it's started to become more frequent and I have no idea what it means. The brakes on the truck aren't that old and we had the master cylinder replaced a couple of years ago, also the fluid is good and I haven't seen any leaks.

Does anyone have any idea what this warning is?

4WHEEL ABS, OR  REAR WHEEL ONLY?

 the rear sensor is in the diff....they tend to get metal filings on them. the front sensors are either part of the hub bearing, or mounted on the spindle.

 do you feel anything funny happening? like a vibration, or "kicking" in the brake pedal when you stop? has it gotten spongy, or in any way feeling different?
 how about when the light flashes? does there seem to be a certaincondition when it does this each time?

[CAP1]

check your fuse... cant imagine its the fuse, but try the cheap things first. if your fuse is good, check the wires from your ABS doo-dad to wherever it connects to your engine (CAP can explain that better). a wire may be loose. if all else fails bring it to a mechanic.

 generally, the fuse being blown should(although not always) bring the light on constant. it is still a good idea to be here first, on virtually ANYTHING electrical.

[CAP1]

I would take it to a mechanic who can hook it up to a computer and figure out what is going on...  But I'm extra careful with brakes.  About 15 years ago, the brakes on the small truck I was driving failed and I only narrowly got stopped with the hand brake before crashing into a car in front of me which would have probably pushed him into a very busy intersection.

I don't take chances with the brakes.

 wait? you mean you used the PARKING BRAKE to stop? unheard of!!! that's not what it's there for. 

[CAP1]

It's cheapest to top off the master cylinder and see if the light goes away before trying anything else.

I think that year ram can display codes on the odometer....if it's digital.....or another information center if it's a higher trim level truck.

Turn the key from off to on (not start)...then back off three times each 1 second apart and leave it in the "on" position on the third cycle.

It should spit out codes but abs often needs a dedicated scan tool to get real information other than "abs failure" which is a catch-all for "something is not right" rather than a code that details what is wrong.

 low fluid would bring the red brake light, with a possibility of the abs light.

 continuing on what you said about the key cycle......i can't remember if that still works on OBD2 dodges. if it does, then follow ice's directions. then count the flashes of the cel light. long flashes are 10's. short flashes are 100's. so a single long flash would equal 1. 2 short flashes afterwards would equal 2, giving us a code of 12. i used that example, 'cause all dodges begin with that code.
 if there's multiple codes, then there'll be a long pause between each code....i think that pause is either 2 or 3 seconds, then the next code will start.

[CAP1]

Probably a wheel speed sensor going bad.  They're not terribly expensive, so get it checked out!  There's nothing worse than not being able to stop.

 lack of abs will not inhibit his ability ot stop. it will only not function, when he gets himself into a situation that requires it.

[CAP1]

if you need ABS outside of bad winter or emergency conditions your doing something wrong. having it is obviously better than not having it but...really how often do you need it?

of course, as mentioned it might be a symptom of actually serious issues and it should be checked out.

 shouldn't need it in winter driving either. otherwise, i suspect a bunch of us here wouldn't be here, offering advice.

[CAP1]

i forgot.....i think these use the rear abs sensor to feed speed info to the computers. if this is that setup, and your speedo is working properly, even when this happens, then it's not gonna be that sensor.

[Beefcake]

4WHEEL ABS, OR  REAR WHEEL ONLY?

 the rear sensor is in the diff....they tend to get metal filings on them. the front sensors are either part of the hub bearing, or mounted on the spindle.

 do you feel anything funny happening? like a vibration, or "kicking" in the brake pedal when you stop? has it gotten spongy, or in any way feeling different?
 how about when the light flashes? does there seem to be a certaincondition when it does this each time?

You know I'm not sure if it's 4 Wheel ABS or 2 Wheel, I'll have to check.

There is no vibration, no pulling to one side, no kicking that I can tell. The brakes seem to be working and feeling just fine like they always do.

[CAP1]

You know I'm not sure if it's 4 Wheel ABS or 2 Wheel, I'll have to check.

There is no vibration, no pulling to one side, no kicking that I can tell. The brakes seem to be working and feeling just fine like they always do.

 how about the speedometer? does it "jump" or drop out? or possibly not read any speed till you're around 20mph or so?

[Beefcake]

how about the speedometer? does it "jump" or drop out? or possibly not read any speed till you're around 20mph or so?

I haven't paid complete attention to the speed-o when I'm at low speed but I haven't noticed any jumping or it falling dead while driving.

[MaSonZ]

generally, the fuse being blown should(although not always) bring the light on constant. it is still a good idea to be here first, on virtually ANYTHING electrical.

thats what i was thinkin as i was typing my comment, but as you said check iot first. itll take 30 seconds..

[CAP1]

thats what i was thinkin as i was typing my comment, but as you said check iot first. itll take 30 seconds..

 to be honest.,.,,,,,i don't care what it is i'm diagnosing. if it uses electricity, and isn't doing what it's supposed to be doing,.,,,,or doing something it shouldn't be.......i go to all of the fuse blocks, and i check EVERY fuse. not just the onse that are labeled to the area where i see a problem....i check em ALL. i've been burned one too many times by not doing this. funny thing is, that i was burned exactly one time. 
 
 i also check relays. it seems that a lot of cars/trucks, 95 and newer, they're using "new and improved" relays. they take up less space. the problem is that they also have smaller blades, and accordingly, smaller connectors on the female end. this gives way to excessive heat, which weakens the spring tension on the connector.....causing a loose connection, which will in turn burn out the relay, as the circuit tries harder to pull the amperage it needs to keep running.

 i still kinda wish that they'd put up an automotive forum here.......it'd make it easier for bunches of us to help bunches of you all. 

 it would also give us a place to bicker on the ford/chevy arguments, without making everyone else in the o-club putting up with it. 

[MaSonZ]

CAP, i like how you think.


its days like this i wish i could get a job at your shop

[CAP1]

CAP, i like how you think.


its days like this i wish i could get a job at your shop

i like explaining things to people. i spend a LOT of time making sure that my customers know exactly why they need what they need. even if they never come back to me, they go away with some knowledge, and hopefully it will help prevent them from getting screwed, or ripped off. especially women. mechanics see them walk in, and it's like daffy duck with the dollar signs in his eyeballs. they assume that women are stupid. the ones that've dealt with me......well......they may not be interested in cars, but if something happens that causes them to need to get work done elsewhere, they know enough to avoid the bs lines. 

 i am gonna get an apprentice from a local college soon. i feel i'll get a guy with just enough brains/experience, that he'll be good with basics, and he'll be like a super absorbent sponge whenever i teach him something........so in the long run, i'll end up with a great tech.

[MaSonZ]

 i am gonna get an apprentice from a local college soon. i feel i'll get a guy with just enough brains/experience, that he'll be good with basics, and he'll be like a super absorbent sponge whenever i teach him something........so in the long run, i'll end up with a great tech.

name of college? i may apply there just to harrass you if i get accepted