I noticed this for the first time yesterday and it slightly concerned me.

(If you're going to say us the Search function, then link the post I obviously overlooked! )

Last night, my roomate's Dodge turbo-diesel couldn't pull his big-ass trailer out of the back yard. I hesitated to think I'd be able to pull it up that muddy hill with any luck, but did so anyway (with no trouble, I might add). BEFORE I even pulled the trailer, I noticed that the ABS (red dash light) came on when I engaged the rear differential locker (factory installed) while in 4WD low.

The only other time I've ever used the rear locker I didn't notice this problem. Exactly how worried should I be? Any suggestions for self-repair?

 

I'd imagine that is normal, since mine does the same thing.

It basically turns off the ABS, which is actually a good thing for offroading. It pisses me off when the ABS turns on when your going down a hill or whatever. Instead of just locking up, I get that trippy vibration feel in my foot.

The first time I got to wheel in mud with this ABS equipped rig, I was getting a little angry trying to stop... haha. Who knows, maybe I would have slipped further if I just locked up.

 

That's a reasonable excuse.

I just don't recall it the last time I had the truck in 4WD low with the rear differential locked. The light only appears when the rear is locked, not in 4WD low...

But either way, I guess I won't sweat it. I just get paranoid with my baby.

 

Read your owners manual.

I read this awhile back out of my '98 Taco book "The anti-lock brake system does not operate when the rear differential is locked. It is normal operation for the "ABS" warning light to be on at this time.

I wondered the same thing the first time I activated my locker.

 

when the e-locker engages, it sends a signal to the ABS computer to disable the circuit....normal operation..