ABS/Slip Indicator/Brake Lights On & Tach/Speed Needles Jump

This is my first post after lurking for a few years. I have a 2013 Tacoma and am the only owner. I’ve searched so much but haven’t been able to find my exact issue. I apologize for the very long explanation that follows.

The current issues are:

• ABS and Slip Indicator dash lights stay on.
• The Brake light comes on every once in awhile.
• When the Brake light comes on, the Tachometer and Speedometer needles jump up and down.
• Once the Brake light turns off (usually after 10 seconds), the needles work as usual.

And the backstory is, Mobile One Auto Sound installed a Viper remote start in May 2019. No issues whatsoever. In August 2020, my husband purchased a Pioneer radio with Apple Play and the steering wheel wire harness from Mobile One. He performed the install himself. After this install is when I noticed the ABS and Traction lights staying on. Two days later is when the Brake light, Tachometer & Speedometer issues started. Mobile One then removed everything and reinstalled all the stock items back but the issues remained. The truck has now been at the dealership where I purchased her for almost two weeks. They haven’t been able to find the issue after an initial $400 diagnostic fee with extra labor. The mechanic told us yesterday he now believes the issue is being caused by the remote start. They want another $400 to take the remote start out to further investigate. My husband has also researched and spoken to Mobile One multiple times but no one is able to pinpoint the cause.

Has anyone out there encountered something similar after an aftermarket remote start or radio install? I’m at wits end and we’re about tapped out on costs. I appreciate the help!

 

There is usually a coded associated with the ABS Light.
You need a scan tool to read the code. The dealer should be able to read the code.
Once you know what is turning the ABS Light on, you can then start looking at what is causing it.

Basically, we need to know what codes are being shown.
If no codes are being shown, it can be huge pain to figure out.
99% I’ve found there is always a code.

Kind of strange the dealership hasn’t figured something out by now?


Now for the honest part, you may not want to hear.
When it comes to Remote Starters, I would never recommend an aftermarket one.
I wouldn’t even want the OEM, unless it was on it when it was new from the factory.

 

Yes, people that add non-factory items have wiring problems in many cases.

Sometimes right off the bat, sometimes later.

Yours is a bit of a combination but it seems to be the radio.

 

Yes, since it started AFTER the radio install.
The odd thing is that once the factory radio was put back in, the problem remained.
It’s never good to jump to conclusions. But I’m willing to bet, it’s a wiring issue.

If it were NOT for the fact it started from a radio install, I’d say look at the speed sensors, gauge cluster, ABS / Skid Control, or ECM. However this isn’t a typical ABS issue, seeing as it started with aftermarket accessory installation.

 

You're brake light/ABS/Slip are all tied in together. All for one and one for all.

 

I love this community! Thank you for all the replies. I’ll send this thread to my husband and see if I can post additional info or can get a resolution.

 

How did you make put. My truck does the same exact thing. I even have the same remote starter