rivman05

Morning folks,
My 01 WJ has decided to tell me that somethings up with the ABS system but no idea what. I have checked the connectors, checked fluid level, and done a reset in case something was water/ice based issues. Its thawing out in a shop at the moment. Last week I was forwarding through 8-14" of crushed ice, water, chunked up stuff. Things have not changed much, so Im curious if anyone has any words of advice? Is there a way to read the ABS codes? I am reading the manual but have not got very far through it yet. Thanks in advance.

dave1123

The crap you've been driving thru may have bent one of the wheel sensor brackets so it's not reading the tone ring. This is common on the front wheels. The rears are mounted in the backing plate and are pretty well shielded.

You can read the diagnostic codes with a DRB III scan tool.

I've had trouble with the ABS on my 00 WJ for the last 100K miles, have replaced all 4 wheel sensors and cleaned the tone rings, but still get a light regularly. The system seems to work, but that stupid light keeps coming on. I had it checked with the scan tool and it tells me the problem is inside the control unit. NY doesn't require it to work so it'll stay that way until I scrap the jeep! I put a piece of electrical tape over the light! If you take the bulb out, the red "brake" light comes on. That red brake light only tells you when the fluid is low or the e-brake is on.

rivman05

Thanks, what should I look for if I pull the tires off? This is the second rig that I have ever owned with ABS, and the first time its ever given me any issues. Are the rings on the diff tubes or on the hubs? Is there a way to relocate it to a place that is a bit more protected?

dave1123

They are part of the CV joint axle stub that butts up against the hub bearing. It looks like a gear that's lost all it's teeth. The sensor mounts over it in a bracket.

rivman05

Ah, I see it from the side. Ill check it on my next break as it has lost almost 200 lbs of snow and ice, and its not done yet. I need different bumper setup, and a snorkel..

dave1123

While you're checking, look at the front diff vent tube. Mine keeps getting pulled out by snowpack. It's just a plastic pressed-in fitting on the top, back side of the diff flange towards the wheel. My front inner fender liners are in shreds from getting caught on my aggressive all-terrain tires when backing up.

I use my WJ for delivering newspapers, generally before the plows come out to play! I was going to put a lift on it, but then I couldn't reach the mailboxes.

rivman05

The vent tube is still there. Is it ok to just bend the abs sensor bracket back over until it looks normal? I have a 2" budget boost lift in the back of mine right now waiting to go up on the rack at one of our schools.

dave1123

That would be okay, as long as it looks like the one on the other side. It's a Hall-effect switch that reads the notches in the tone ring and compares it with the one on the other side and the rear wheel speeds. When there is a big difference in the wheel speeds and the vehicle speed and the brake is being applied, it triggers the ABS pump to run.

I was always able to do my braking with my foot, not have the vehicle do it for me. Just my opinion. BTW, that photo shows my rear mud flaps the PO put on the jeep. I've taken them off since. Also notice the front license plate folded around the bumper? That's from pushing snowbanks! I bought it without a plate bracket. That pic was taken the day I finished applying the stripes.

rivman05

I just dont like the light on the dash, everything else on it I have fixed/replaced that needed attention. Its a particularly good rig for out here it seems.

dave1123

As far as driving it is concerned, I like my WJ better than my ZJ, I just find the lack of storage space bothersome. I had a guy at the newspaper garage ask me if I had jumper cables. I said "Yeah, but they're in the spare tire well under about 600 lbs of newspaper bundles!" He found someone else.

Keep an eye on the rear lower control arms. The bushings tend to wear out quickly and the arms themselves rust up. Well, I should say not really quickly because mine had 180K miles on them before the bushings went bad. Because I plan to keep this jeep for as long as she'll have me, I replaced all 7 control arms and the track bar at that time. My 4.0 has 205K miles on it and still running strong. Likewise with the transmission. Some people say the 42re is junk, but mine is still shifting solidly and never given me any trouble. No debris in the pan or on the magnet last time I changed the fluid and filter. AND, I haul heavy loads with it. If we get a 4 part Sunday paper, I could put 1200 to 1500 lbs in it!

rivman05

Im assuming if I pull the fuse till summer as were expecting another warm storm to come through it will kill the dash lamp and will act like a non abs rig? I have never had a use for abs as I know when to start braking long before I need to stop. My 72 Riviera was not fun to drive on ice.

Willys55

when the light is on, ABS is deactivated

rivman05

I know that, Im trying to figure out how to kill the light till April/May when its no longer safe to run trucks/suv's on the river. Then I can address the sensor bracket with no possibility of bending it for a bit.