ABS light

2002 TRD Tacoma 200k miles. ABS light on, brought to shop to run codes and they did $800 worth of work > forget exactly what they did but it fixed it for a while > light is back on (goes off sometimes- but it’s usually on) and sometimes at very low speeds (under 5mph- not on the gas) the abs will activate/flutter briefly without me touching the brake. Thoughts? I’m hesitant to keep plowing $ into more diagnostics.

 

Do you have a brake leak Are you low on fluid? Keep in mind the master cylinder actually has two chambers and if you're checking the fluid you usually can only mostly see the chamber but the rear chamber could possibly be empty. I've encountered this before myself.


Also your 2002 is a first gen and you're posting in the second gen section You may get better responses in the first gen section.

 

Fluid is good just dirty. No leaks. I forgot the gen of my truck lol...thanks.

 

Are your pads and shoes worn at all?

 

Pads are new. Shoes haven’t been replaced in a while. I know the shop was working on an ABS ring. Are those only up front on the disks or also on the rear drums?

 

You need the codes first before you can even think about repair.

 

not likely the chase of your ABS light, but dirty fluid is not good.

 

They are in the rear also.

 

The rings are built into the wheel bearings. You probably have a bearing going bad. Yes they are front and rear.

 

The first generation tone rings are separate from the wheel bearings ( Passive Sensors ).

Second and third gens have magnetic tone ring built into the wheel bearings ( Active Sensors ).

 

Easy way to start is to visibly check all the wires to the sensors if you truck is modified a lot of times they get damaged from install or if someone worked on suspension or brakes and stretch the wires usually by being lazy and not unbolting the sensor harness, usually in that case u can’t see the damage then u will have to check the harness extensions with a voltmeter for continuity. But really need the code to pinpoint problem. Also I have seen were the sensors arnt all the way tight and this can cause intermittent problem. So make sure they are bolted and seated properly and no obvious wire damage, Also u can remove the sensors and clean them metal get stuck on them because they are magnetic.