General automotive discussion question with my 98 dodge dakota

[70charginglizard]

I know this sin't a dakota forum but I know a lot of you guys know your stuff here.
Well here it is,
I just had a shop replace my heater core in my 1998 5.7L V8 Dakota and after I left the shop (about 1 mile away) my ABS and Brake light turned on. Brought it back to the mechanic so he could hook his diagnostic tool up to the truck and his code reader isnt recognizing that anything is wrong. Can't find any codes. We checked all the connections on the engine bay and nothing seems loose or not connected. So what do you guys think might be making the dummy light turn on like that. It turns off when I shut the truck off but pops back on after I start and drive it about a mile again.
This ones wierd. It wasn't doing this before they replaced the heater core at the show so it most have been something they did but the guy at the shop is pretty stumped too. 

any guess's before I take it back to him to figure it out on Monday?

oh and BTY I did check the ABS fuse. It's good.

[Big Lebowski]

  Try banging really hard on the dash board, repeat procedure untill light goes off.

[chargerman68]

have u tried disconnecting the battery to reset the computer

[KMPX2]

have u tried disconnecting the battery to reset the computer

Would be my first step

[70charginglizard]

have u tried disconnecting the battery to reset the computer

Yep. Didn't work. Still light turns on. But only after driving about 1/2 to 1 mile. 

[Charger-Bodie]

I had a similar problem with the 95 Dakota I used to have . A mechanic budy of mine tapped on the area where the switch is mounted by the master cylinder and it went off and stayed fine after that appearantly the switch can stick sometimes. Not saying for sure that youre problem is the same , but its worth a shot.

[bordin34]

Do you still have ABS?

[70charginglizard]

Do you still have ABS?

It seems to be braking the same way it always has before. Just an idiot light dash problem I think as far as I can tell.

I supose I could really try to hammer on the brakes to see if they lock up after work but I've been driving it as is and havent noticed a change in the way the brakes are working.

[Badbob]

If the light is on the ABS is deactivated. If the fluid were low the brake warning light would come on as well as the ABS light. The ABS system needs to be scanned for codes, could be a problem with the sensors, pump, motor or circuitry. You need a good diagnostic techncian, might cost more initially but will waste less time in the end. Loose ground under the dash?

bob

[70charginglizard]

If the light is on the ABS is deactivated. If the fluid were low the brake warning light would come on as well as the ABS light. The ABS system needs to be scanned for codes, could be a problem with the sensors, pump, motor or circuitry. You need a good diagnostic techncian, might cost more initially but will waste less time in the end. Loose ground under the dash?

bob

"Loose ground under the dash?"

Id put good money on that one as it was fine before he ripped my entire dash out (including the guage cluster) to replace my heater core.

Wasn't a problem befoe he did that.

[68rt]

If the light is on the ABS is deactivated. If the fluid were low the brake warning light would come on as well as the ABS light. The ABS system needs to be scanned for codes, could be a problem with the sensors, pump, motor or circuitry. You need a good diagnostic techncian, might cost more initially but will waste less time in the end. Loose ground under the dash?

bob

"Loose ground under the dash?"

Id put good money on that one as it was fine before he ripped my entire dash out (including the guage cluster) to replace my heater core.

Wasn't a problem befoe he did that.

[Plumcrazy]

In the junction block (under the removable cover at the drivers end side of the dash)  Check fuse #3 to see if it's blown.
Then from under the dash look at the back side of the junction block and make sure all the electrical connectors are fully plugged back in.

If you don't find anything check the power distribution center (under the hood) make sure fuse #8 is okay

[70charginglizard]

In the junction block (under the removable cover at the drivers end side of the dash)  Check fuse #3 to see if it's blown.I looked at that. It was fine


Then from under the dash look at the back side of the junction block and make sure all the electrical connectors are fully plugged back in. Didn't think about that one. I'll check that tonight
If you don't find anything check the power distribution center (under the hood) make sure fuse #8 is okay didn't check that one either. I'll also be looking there tonight. Thanks...good stuff

[70charginglizard]

Well it wasn't any of those. I guys when I take it back to the mechanic it will just be all up to him to fix it. He broke it....lol
I was just hoping to find it before I have to bring it back into him.

Oh well.

Thanks Guys

[no318]

If he is using an aftermarket scan tool, it may not read ALL the codes that a Chrysler factory tool will.  I have seen that before.  It probably has an ABS code in it.  That will also turn on the red brake light.

[gtx6970]

ck for corrosion in the bulkhead connector at the base of the column - the big white connector
ck grounds at both sides of the dash frame to a-pillars - behind the kick panels
ck gounds at the left side of the transmission tunnel under the center dash frame - under the carpet

I agree, it seems some of the aftermkt scan tools do not pick up on some of the NON- engine related faults. so you may want to have it scanned with a DRB

[mikepmcs]

I still think it's a loose ground wire under the dash.  The Mech  is definitely gonna earn his money if he has to rip that thing apart again. 
Attention to detail.

v/r
Mike

[Plumcrazy]

See if you can get into the airbag module.  The ABS and airbag modules are both on the CCD bus.  If one of the CCD bus wires gets pinched, it will take down the bus.
If you can get into the airbag module, you at least know the CCD bus is working.

[70charginglizard]

It was the connection at the brake light switch. (they forgot to plug that one back in after changing out the heater core apparently....lol )

[mikepmcs]

Mint, something easy. Glad it's fixed. 

[Big Lebowski]

It was the connection at the brake light switch. (they forgot to plug that one back in after changing out the heater core apparently....lol )

   Duh!!! Give him the phone book..."Where do want it, where do you want it, left side or the right?"