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ABS and Traction Control lights on in my 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel

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Mike T. · rep 0 · May 22, 3:33 AM · 1 replies · solved · Question

Vehicle: 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel

Hi all,

I've got a 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel, and recently, both the ABS light and the Traction Control light (the one with the squiggly lines) have come on and stayed on. They usually illuminate shortly after I start driving, sometimes even right away.

I haven't noticed any immediate issues with braking, but I know these systems are important. I tried disconnecting the battery for a bit, but the lights came back on. I don't have an advanced OBD scanner, just a basic one that doesn't show ABS codes.

Has anyone experienced this with their Ram? What's the most common cause for both lights to come on simultaneously? Thanks for any help!

✓ Accepted solution

ClearTheCode Admin

ClearTheCode Team · rep 0 · May 22, 3:33 AM

0

ClearTheCode admin answer:

When both the ABS and Traction Control (TCS) lights illuminate simultaneously on your 2016 Ram 1500 Rebel, it almost always indicates a fault within the Anti-lock Braking System, as TCS heavily relies on ABS sensors and components. Here are the most common causes:

  1. Wheel Speed Sensor (WSS) Failure:

    • Each wheel has a sensor that monitors its rotational speed. If one of these sensors fails, becomes dirty, or its wiring is damaged, the ABS module can't accurately determine wheel speed. This is the most frequent cause. Common OBD-II codes associated with this include C0031 (Left Front WSS), C0034 (Right Front WSS), C0037 (Left Rear WSS), C0040 (Right Rear WSS), and similar codes for sensor circuit issues.

  2. Damaged Wiring or Connector:

    • The wiring harness leading to a wheel speed sensor can get damaged from road debris, corrosion, or rubbing. A loose or corroded connector can also interrupt the signal.

  3. ABS Module Failure:

    • Less common but possible, the ABS control module itself can fail. This is usually indicated by more persistent and varied ABS/TCS codes, or if all wheel speed sensors test good.

  4. Tone Ring Damage:

    • The tone ring (or reluctor ring) is a toothed wheel that the wheel speed sensor reads. If it's cracked, corroded, or clogged with debris, the sensor will get an incorrect reading.

What to Do:

  • Get the Codes Read: A standard OBD-II scanner often won't read ABS-specific codes. You'll need a more advanced scanner (often called an 'ABS scanner' or 'enhanced scanner') to retrieve the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) from the ABS module. This is the crucial first step to pinpoint the exact issue.
  • Visual Inspection: Once you know which wheel sensor might be at fault (if any), visually inspect the sensor and its wiring for damage, dirt, or corrosion. Sometimes, simply cleaning a dirty sensor can resolve the issue.

When to See a Shop: While your regular brakes may still function, the ABS and Traction Control systems are disabled when these lights are on. This means you won't have anti-lock braking in an emergency stop, and your truck won't prevent wheel spin under acceleration. It's highly recommended to have a professional diagnose and repair this issue promptly, especially before winter weather or any situation where these safety features are critical.

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