ABS Fuse

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tmills65 - 01 Sep 2006 14:34 GMT

The ABS light and Brake light are both lit on my 96 RAM 1500 4x4. I
have seen posts about the Rear Axle Speed Sensor. This seems to be a
common problem. I was looking at the fuse box in the engine
compartment. It has a bunch of hi-amp fuses and some relays. There is a
spot for a 40AMP fuse labeled ABS Pump. This fuse is missing.

I checked my Chilton repair manual and I couldn't find any mention of
this fuse. Does this fuse need to be there or is it used for some
optional accessory that I don't have on my truck? The truck is fairly
new to me and the ABS light and Brake light have always been on.

Don't want to buy the Speed Sensor if all I need is a replacement fuse.
Also, I don't want to energize a connector somewhere if there is
nothing attached to it.

Any help appreciated.

Thanks

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Tom Lawrence - 01 Sep 2006 17:05 GMT

> I checked my Chilton repair manual and I couldn't find any mention of
> this fuse. Does this fuse need to be there or is it used for some
> optional accessory that I don't have on my truck? The truck is fairly
> new to me and the ABS light and Brake light have always been on.

That fuse is for the then-optional 4-wheel ABS. You have rear-wheel ABS
only (also called rear-wheel anti-lock, or RWAL).

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tmills65 - 01 Sep 2006 18:18 GMT

> That fuse is for the then-optional 4-wheel ABS. You have rear-wheel ABS
> only (also called rear-wheel anti-lock, or RWAL).

According to the vehical options sticker (on hood, inside engine
compartment), my truck has 4-wheel ABS.

Should I get a fuse from the auto parts store, stick it in and see what
happens? Would the lack of this fuse cause the ABS and Brake lights to
come on?

I am concerned that someone has removed it for a reason and replacing
the fuse is going to be *BAD* (just a feeling).

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Tom Lawrence - 01 Sep 2006 19:22 GMT

> According to the vehical options sticker (on hood, inside engine
> compartment), my truck has 4-wheel ABS.

So in the engine compartment, on the driver's side fender, back towards the
firewall, there's an ABS pump module with brake lines coming in and out of
it, and two multi-wire electrical connectors on the side that faces the
firewall?

> Should I get a fuse from the auto parts store, stick it in and see what
> happens? Would the lack of this fuse cause the ABS and Brake lights to
> come on?

If you identify the above-described pump, then yes, stick a fuse in there,
and test the brakes in a safe location (empty parking lot would work well).
Get on them hard enough to lock them up. If the system is working, you
should hear the pump come on, and feel a vibration in the brake pedal. The
wheels should NOT lock up.

> I am concerned that someone has removed it for a reason and replacing
> the fuse is going to be *BAD* (just a feeling).

One of the added benefits of buying a used vehicle... :)

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