ABS light

[Bounder35R]

Just got my 2003 Bounder W22 inspected and fluids changed yesterday. Got it home and went to restart it and got an ABS light that wouldn't go out. I'm taking the RV back to the dealership later this week when he gets my Norcold refrigerator recall parts, but in the meantime, does anyone have any suggestions that I could check?

I know they have to pull some tires for the state inspection (PA), so I'm wondering if there are sensors down there that could have come loose/off, etc.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions.

[RottenRalph]

Oemy's Web Site - Tech Tips Follow Oemy's tips for cleaning ABS sensors. Take about an hour.

[wa8yxm]

What chassis is it on? With my Workhorse I had that same kind of problem and finally one other poster here (I thikn OEMtech but not sure) posted photos of how to clean the sensors.. Next time I fired it up the light came on 20 seconds, and went off just like it should.. I've only had one ABS stuck on since

One way to get the light to stay on is to put foot on brakes when starting on some units.

Do not touch brakes till 30 seconds after the engine starts or till the light goes out whichever happens FIRST1

[Bounder35R]

I'm out of town right now, but I had the wife go out and start it up without pushing on the brake pedal. She said the light came on at startup, and then the ABS light out for about a second, then came back on, then went off momentarily and came back on and stayed on.

When I get home I will try cleaning the sensors before taking it to the dealer. Thanks for that tip.

I hope it's not the dreaded caliper problem....I didn't feel any brake dragging so far.

[Full-Timers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R I'm out of town right now, but I had the wife go out and start it up without pushing on the brake pedal. She said the light came on at startup, and then the ABS light out for about a second, then came back on, then went off momentarily and came back on and stayed on. When I get home I will try cleaning the sensors before taking it to the dealer. Thanks for that tip. I hope it's not the dreaded caliper problem....I didn't feel any brake dragging so far.

I would say cleaning will NOT help you in this situation. Since your wife did not drive the motorhome and you had a light come on and stay on it’s not a dirty sensor problem. You might still have a sensor problem but since the wheels were not turning it’s not a dirty sensor.

[Bounder35R]

Thanks for all the suggestions folks. I'll let you know the outcome when I find out. Hopefully later this week or next.

[dieselclacker]

35R,

A dirty or out of adjustment wheel speed sensor WILL cause the ABS lamp to lite up, regardless of whether the motorhome is moving, or is at rest with wheels not turning. Try cleaning and putting a little lube on each sensor before reinstalling them, drive it for a mile or so and see if the lamp is still lit.

Dieselclacker

[troth]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselclacker A dirty or out of adjustment wheel speed sensor WILL cause the ABS lamp to lite up, regardless of whether the motorhome is moving, or is at rest with wheels not turning. Try cleaning and putting a little lube on each sensor before reinstalling them, drive it for a mile or so and see if the lamp is still lit. Dieselclacker

I second that motion. Make sure the "lipstick tubes" are fully seated as far in as they can go. Also, disconnect the negative cable from the engine battery for the 10 minutes it will take you to clean, lube, and replace the sensors. It resets the ABS module. TR

[Bounder35R]

Got home tonight and managed to remove, clean and apply some anti-sieze to the sensors in the rear tires, but couldn't remove the front ones. Before I go and ruin the sensors, does anyone have any hints on how to pull them out? I was able to twist them a little by hand, but that was all.

I briefly cranked the engine and got the same ABS light. I also disconnected the battery for awhile, but no help.

Thanks again for the suggestions folks.

[Full-Timers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R Got home tonight and managed to remove, clean and apply some anti-sieze to the sensors in the rear tires, but couldn't remove the front ones. Before I go and ruin the sensors, does anyone have any hints on how to pull them out? I was able to twist them a little by hand, but that was all. I briefly cranked the engine and got the same ABS light. I also disconnected the battery for awhile, but no help. Thanks again for the suggestions folks.

Good luck with that but like I said earlier, It may be a failed sensor but I believe it’s not dirty sensors that is turning on the light.

[dieselclacker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R Got home tonight and managed to remove, clean and apply some anti-sieze to the sensors in the rear tires, but couldn't remove the front ones. Before I go and ruin the sensors, does anyone have any hints on how to pull them out? I was able to twist them a little by hand, but that was all. I briefly cranked the engine and got the same ABS light. I also disconnected the battery for awhile, but no help. Thanks again for the suggestions folks.

I see by your signature you are from Allentown PA, salt country. I would try spraying some WD-40 or other penetrant around the sensors you are having problems with removing. Try moving them a little as you spray a liberal amount around each one, and maybe let them set over night then try removing them. Probably have rust holding them in. Be sure and remove any rust before lubing and installing them in thier bores.

Dieselclacker

[Bounder35R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieselclacker I see by your signature you are from Allentown PA, salt country. I would try spraying some WD-40 or other penetrant around the sensors you are having problems with removing. Try moving them a little as you spray a liberal amount around each one, and maybe let them set over night then try removing them. Probably have rust holding them in. Be sure and remove any rust before lubing and installing them in thier bores. Dieselclacker

Success!? Got some PB Blaster and sprayed that on the sensors. After about an hour, they came out relatively easy. So after all the cleaning, battery disconnecting....etc., I decided to give it a drive.

Fifty feet down the driveway the light went out and stayed out! I took it out for a drive and shut down and restarted the engine several times and the ABS light comes on for a second or two and then goes out. I took a quick temperature reading with the new Micro Temp MTPro infrared temperature gauge I bought, and all brakes were nice and cool (less than 140 degrees shortly after stopping.)

Hopefully things will stay this way and the calipers won't seize until Workhorse gets around to recalling them.

Thanks to all for your help!

[JC2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounder35R Success!? Got some PB Blaster and sprayed that on the sensors. After about an hour, they came out relatively easy. So after all the cleaning, battery disconnecting....etc., I decided to give it a drive. Fifty feet down the driveway the light went out and stayed out! I took it out for a drive and shut down and restarted the engine several times and the ABS light comes on for a second or two and then goes out. I took a quick temperature reading with the new Micro Temp MTPro infrared temperature gauge I bought, and all brakes were nice and cool (less than 140 degrees shortly after stopping.) Hopefully things will stay this way and the calipers won't seize until Workhorse gets around to recalling them. Thanks to all for your help!

Dad gummit. You gotta love it when these things work out. Kinda gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. It also gives OEMY some good press as we all know he sometimes needs it.

[SpursMVP]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RottenRalph Oemy's Web Site - Tech Tips Follow Oemy's tips for cleaning ABS sensors. Take about an hour.

This worked great for the front wheels; however I couldn't get access to the rear wheels. Is this sensor between the 2 tires on each side?

Thanks for any tips!