CBDenver

Hey all,

I did search and didn't find much on this, but have a question about my ABS light in my 4Runner. I have a 1997 4runner 4WD and have had no brake problems up to now. Everything works w/ exception of ABS.

ABS light is coming on/off intermittently and I'm wondering how to troubleshoot or get codes off of it? I don't think a normal code reader will help. I have removed all (4) speed sensors and have (to the best of my ability under dirty truck) inspected the wiring to each wheel and all looks OK. I tried cleaning each sensor and putting them back in, but same result. I did check and brake fluid levels are filled to where the line is at on them.

Any pointers on what to check next or something? Was hoping to avoid an expensive dealer trip and at lease check some of the obvious potential problem areas before I resort to that. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Chris

CBDenver

Hey all,

Anyone with ideas? Well, do you guys think I need to take it to a stealership to have the problem checked, or can a place like Brakes Plus do it?

Thanks,
Chris

Elton

i would have it looked at asap im sure Brakes Plus can do a few test to see whats going on

Jcod12

hey did you ever figure out why the light was intermittently going on and off? If you figured this out, let me know. Thanks,

midiwall

Wow... Mildly old thread alert.

In my experience ABS lights are usually from things like blocked sensors. There's one in each wheel hub and they can get clogged with mud and grime.

There's a procedure in the FSM (Factory Service Manual) to get the ABS light to tell you the error code. Check my post here:

https://www.yotatech.com/forums/show...38&postcount=5

CBDenver

Hey Guys,

I wanted to follow up on this one. I have 128k miles now, and just replaced my alternator myself (not too bad by the way) and this stopped some of the freaky electrical stuff going on with the truck. I also have a relatively new battery too.

A while back I cleaned all 4 ABS wheel sensors, and this did help, but as of today I am still getting the ABS light coming on sometimes. Wierd. Brakes Plus, and Autozone (I think) could not find any codes to read. I don't think the techs knew what the heck they were doing, but that's another story!

I'm going to try the diagnostic procedure he gave, and will post back if I can get a code to come up for it. Anyone have the list of ABS codes so I can look it up as soon as I "read" it?

Thanks and good luck if you've got the same thing going on.

CB

mkgarrison5

check fluid levels

midiwall

They're in the FSM, but I'm at work and my arms aren't that long. I took a quick look online and couldn't find 'em.

CBDenver

Thanks for the follow up on the code thing! I should have mentioned that the fluid levels were fine months ago, and also yesterday when I checked them again. No leaks at all or anything that I can find, and I've never had to add more brake fluid since I bought the truck new in 1997.

Thanks all.

CBDenver

I read the code using the FSM procedure you gave me and it worked perfectly. The code the ABS light gave was a 32. Any idea what that one is and how to go about troubleshooting/repairing it?

Thanks a lot for your help.

midiwall

Yeup!

DTC (Diagnostic Trouble Code) 32 is...

The left front speed sensor.

• [*]

The sensor works by the Hall Effect. Basically there's a magnet in the hub and a coil of wire in front of it. There are "teeth" on the wheel rotor that spin in front of the coil. Each time a tooth goes past the coil, it causes the magnetic field to break down and that generates an electrical pulse. The ABS ECU counts these, and that's how it knows how fast you're going and which wheel is spinning.

There's not a lot you can do to test it... Basically check to see if there's a short or an open in the sensor or wiring; check to see that it's clean; check to see if there are any teeth missing on the rotor. (pull the wheel, pull the rotor...)

btw, since there's trouble in the system, ABS ECU will _disable_ ABS. If you like ABS, or find that it's saved your butt a couple of times, then beware that it's not there right now.

CBDenver

Thanks for the quick reply! I'll take it out and clean it and also put a meter on it and see if it open/shorted/ or reading some resistance that is correct. If it is busted I'll be ordering a new one. Just glad its not the actuator or whatever the expensive thing is called!


Thanks and enjoy the rest of your weekend.

midiwall

Good luck Christopher! And enjoy your weekend as well!

(fwiw, I've been driving on a DTC 31 for months. I actually LIKE not having ABS. )

jwbehm

I got the same problem, I probably just need to clean my sensors though. The light came on when I got stuck in a very deep goooey mud pit

YotaFun

Yeah, it wasn't on Tess, But I took my olds wheelin once (don't ask...) and the sensor got dirty with mud and the abs light came on...

I really was curious to see if the ABS had disabled itself or not, so i found a straight road and gunned it to oh 50 mph.

Then i tightened my seat beat and slammed on the brakes...
Needless to say, I made one long skid mark....

I fixed teh problem byu driving through some water puddles lol!!

genec220

can anyone help with code 41? thank you.

kball

code 41 points to the IG power source circuit. From what I can tell looking at the manual it's most likely a problem with your charging system not keeping voltage between 10-17 volts for 10 second intervals. Otherwise the ABS ECU is messed up or there's a short leading to it.

If you really want the ABS to work (most 3rd gen owners don't it seems) I'd take it to a shop and have them figure it out.

genec220

Thank you kball! since my battery light comes on momentarily when the ABS light comes on, that makes sense.