ABS LIGHT ON hardly any brake pedal

[Threedognight]

ABS light is on but I can’t get a code on it. Brake pedal at times goes to the floor and barely stops the truck. Other times it feels ok but not strong. Brake fluid level is fine. No clue what to do. At this point I’m afraid to drive it. Any ideas? Would be greatly appreciated

 

[SenorNoob]

What are you using to get codes? IIRC around that time ABS codes were a problem.

Did the fluid level ever get low that you know of?

I'm sure other will have more questions. Wishing you the best of luck...

 

[Threedognight]

I don’t know if the brake fluid ever ran low. I’ve only had the truck for a month.

 

[pentode]

What year is this truck? I'd suggest starting with the basics first. Look for leaks, everywhere from the master cylinder to the rear brakes.

Edit: good idea to check the adjustment of the rear drums, if they're way off you'll get a bad pedal.

If all the lines and hoses are in good shape and dry, I'd probably bleed the brakes next before looking at anything bigger than that. Unless of course you can find someone to read the ABS code for a good price (free)...

 

[Threedognight]

What year is this truck? I'd suggest starting with the basics first. Look for leaks, everywhere from the master cylinder to the rear brakes.

Edit: good idea to check the adjustment of the rear drums, if they're way off you'll get a bad pedal.

If all the lines and hoses are in good shape and dry, I'd probably bleed the brakes next before looking at anything bigger than that. Unless of course you can find someone to read the ABS code for a good price (free)...

It’s a 2003 3.0

 

[pentode]

2WD? Really soft pedal isn't something I'd immediately associate with ABS. Sounds more like air in the system to me. The air could be in the ABS module, of course.

 

[Threedognight]

2WD? Really soft pedal isn't something I'd immediately associate with ABS. Sounds more like air in the system to me. The air could be in the ABS module, of course.

Yes 2nd.

 

[Threedognight]

2WD? Really soft pedal isn't something I'd immediately associate with ABS. Sounds more like air in the system to me. The air could be in the ABS module, of course.

Where is the ABS module? I don’t have anyone to help me bleed the brakes so I’m kinda sol on that

 

[Threedognight]

Yes 2nd.

2WD

 

[SenorNoob]

Brake bleeding can be done by yourself with the right tools. I'm not entirely sure how ABS plays into that though. Haven't had to do one yet.

Something like this:

https://www.harborfreight.com/brake-bleeder-and-vacuum-pump-kit-63391.html

 

[pentode]

Where is the ABS module? I don’t have anyone to help me bleed the brakes so I’m kinda sol on that

Help is useful but there are ways to do it solo. It can be done with a glass jar and a piece of tubing but more tools do make it easier.

 

[pentode]

Brake bleeding can be done by yourself with the right tools. I'm not entirely sure how ABS plays into that though. Haven't had to do one yet.

I think ABS only really comes into play if air got into the master. I usually like to go for the simple stuff first and then work my way up. Brake fluid flush never hurts anyway.

 

[SenorNoob]

I try to start with the cheapest thing first. Not necessarily the simplest. I'll put in plenty of time to check something before I spends money. Usually anyway.

 

[pentode]

I try to start with the cheapest thing first. Not necessarily the simplest. I'll put in plenty of time to check something before I spends money. Usually anyway.

Agreed!

Check my tagline.

 

[Uncle Gump]

If there were air in the system... the pedal would always be low. It's not something that would be fine this time and not fine the next the brake pedal is applied.

Do you hear an associated noise when this happens... like a buzzing and clicking sound? The ABS module... when it sees a wheel speed sensor stop while it see movements on the other sensors will fire the ABS motor and start pulsing solenoids to try and allow the stopped wheel to catch up to the other wheels. It's a weird feeling in the driver seat... because you keep pushing the brake pedal... but the truck keeps moving under the controled stop by the ABS system. There is always the buzzing and clicking sounds when this happens.

Not all scan tools will read ABS codes and/or ABS live data. If the ABS light is on... its got a code. I would find a scan tool that will read the code before moving onto other things. Viewing live data will show you wheel speed sensors... and its easy to see a failed sensor.

That said... low brake pedal is really only caused by two things. Air in the system and/or rear drum brake adjustment. Both of those are constants... and the pedal will always feel low.

This is why you need to look into the ABS system codes first.

The only thing I've ever seen that will allow the brakes to work fine this time and go to the floor the next is a master cylinder.