Rear brakes locked and ABS light on.......

[rodeodrive]

I'm newbie here, and looking for anyone who has had a similar problem. I've owned my 1995 Rodeo for two years, I have 160k on it. Brakes were replaced about 15k miles ago.

Yesterday, as I pulled out of my driveway, it felt like the rear brakes were stuck or like I was towing something heavy. I looked down and saw the rear ABS light was on along with the brake light. I've never had issues with the ABS before. It feels normal when in reverse and rolls easily in Neutral. I tried jamming on the brakes forward and reverse, I pulled the ABS fuse (RWAL), but no change.

I was running short on time, so I didn't have time to pull the wheels, but I did check brake fluid level (full), and cycled the parking brake on and off, It feels like the P-brake is working, could it be partially jammed, and if so why does it roll easily in neutral (thinking out loud).

Hopefully, I'll have some time tonight when I get home to pull the wheels and take a look.

Any suggestions appreciated.

[Ramblin Fever]

Any other lights?

What's your volt gauge read?

[rodeodrive]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Any other lights?

What's your volt gauge read?

No other lights are on, voltage is 14v.

BTW, it's a 2WD, automatic.

[Ramblin Fever]

Hmmm, I'm not sure, honestly.

I've been running around with my brake/abs light on for over 3yrs, sensor went bad 4 times in less then 3yrs and I just said forget it.

If it was doing it ALL of the time, I'd say could be your calipers hanging up, and or e-brake stuck, but rolls fine in neutral, so I'm at a loss.

Hopefully someone else can chime in.

You have 4-wheel disc brakes??

[rodeodrive]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Hmmm, I'm not sure, honestly.

I've been running around with my brake/abs light on for over 3yrs, sensor went bad 4 times in less then 3yrs and I just said forget it.

If it was doing it ALL of the time, I'd say could be your calipers hanging up, and or e-brake stuck, but rolls fine in neutral, so I'm at a loss.

Hopefully someone else can chime in.

You have 4-wheel disc brakes??

Yes, I do have 4-wheel disc brakes, I'm not too sure how the P-brake works with disc brakes.. I haven't had time to pull the wheels yet, but I have off tomorrow and I'll get a look. I'm thinking that the p-brake is partially stuck. I'll keep you posted.

[rodeodrive]

It's not the brakes, they all look fine and the calipers are not hanging. It seems to be the transmission, I just took it for a ride and if I start off in Low it feels fine.

If I start off in Drive it is not going into a low enough gear and gives me the feeling that I'm towing something. Also, if I try to use the winter or power buttons, nothing happens. I haven't used those in a while, but they used to work.

I'm not too sure why the abs and brake light would be on? I don't have any other lights to indicate transmission problem and I am not getting any codes?

[trooperbc]

Originally Posted by rodeodrive

It's not the brakes, they all look fine and the calipers are not hanging. It seems to be the transmission, I just took it for a ride and if I start off in Low it feels fine.

If I start off in Drive it is not going into a low enough gear and gives me the feeling that I'm towing something. Also, if I try to use the winter or power buttons, nothing happens. I haven't used those in a while, but they used to work.

I'm not too sure why the abs and brake light would be on? I don't have any other lights to indicate transmission problem and I am not getting any codes?

your transmission is going into 'limp' mode to protect itself when it detects abnormal supply voltage, among other things.
it's probably your charging system: battery, connectors, wires, alternator. usually it's the alternator failing. any value above or below a rather narrow acceptable range of voltage kicks the sytem into limp mode. you can drive it that way 'manually', otherwise it's going to start you off in third.

the other dash lights are not an uncommon indicator also of charging system problems.

check from the easy stuff on...

//bc

[rodeodrive]

Update: I bought a new alternator, put in on and no change. I've spent the last few hours under the car double checking every harness and connection. No defects found. I'm debating what to do next and continue searching this forum for the answer and stumble across this thread: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbul...nator+part+%23

Rodawnritz had the same exact problem, changed the alternator to no avail and then found a blown tail light fuse. Changed the fuse and problem went away. I pulled my tail light fuse, damn its fine. I proceeded to pull every fuse and low and behold my stop light fuse is blown. Swap it, and the rearabs and brake lights turn off, and everything is back to normal.

I think my fuse may have blown last weekend when I had a trailer hoocked up. Still don't understand how that affects my transmission, but it did. Lesson learned: check every fuse even if it doesn't seem related to your problem.

Thanks for everyone's help, I'm glad I found a simple solution. And I'm glad I found this forum, now I'm going to change my oil and see if I can get rid of this tapping noise.

[surferfletch]

Thanks for posting your solution!