ABS Light on 98JGC

Or the dealer doesn't know what the real problem is.

------archive copy------- Before you go fixing bits... If your ABS computer is up by the front like mine

the connector is probably full of dirt and road salt/debris. This will cause all sorts of problems. Including a code 30 among others.

Best to do this with the battery disconnected, but I've done my simply by pulling the ABS fuses and relay.

Take the connector off. Take the air filter cover off and the filter out. (your going to use this as a sink) Put a plastic bag in the "sink" and some news paper.

Take the ziptie off and open the shell. Knock out all the crud that is in there.

Then with some contact cleaner, (wear gloves it's bad on the skin and even worse on the paint) spray the connector clean. Toothpick, cotton swaps, toothbrush.

Then take a small emory file to the contacts on the computer. clean also with solvent, toothpicks, swabs, etc and let dry.

Apply a liberal amount of dilectric grease to the connector (back and front, it keeps the moisture out) then reassemble the whole thing.

I put a plastic shield over my abs computer to keep future debris from getting in there. Seems where Jeep put the thing is also where the hood drains and where road junk comes in past the air box intake.

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brakes, not breaks... (petty gripe!) But the real comment is did this 'dealer' scan for codes on the ABS system? If so, what codes did they get? I'm getting the feeling, reading your post, that the dealer you are going to is not quite as good as one would hope.

Yes, they will work, without the ABS. In some states you will fail the safety inspection if the ABS light is on. (stupid rule, since so many cars do not have ABS anyway...)

Who knows? But, not only do the sensors go bad (and often, too) so do the harnesses, and connectors. Again, without codes you are shooting in the dark. But if this dealer works on the premis that since the customer is paying why not, he'll always come out ahead. I'd go to someone who has an ABS scan tool, and get the code first. Then fix the problem.

Probably many places. Try eBay if nothing else.

From what you describe on this dealer, probably not. I don't trust 'em, based on your comments. Likely they'll 'replace it' and the problem will still be there, and they'll say "Not our problem..."

Do what Doug says below... Good advice.

I dont know where the ABS computer is. I dont have a service manual, and I dont think I want to buy one at this point. We have been thinking about getting a new vehicle- and I'll keep the Jeep for now. There was a website that had detailed instructions on how to remove door panels to replace speakers, I dont know if they have info on the ABS computer location.

Easy enough to do, once I find the computer. AT least I will know the intermittent light wont be due to a bad connection. I haven't been off raod with my Jeep much but there could still be old dirt there from the last time.

Thanks

I didn't ask for the codes, since I wouldn't know what to do with them, and this all happened about 2+ years ago. (although the light just started coming on again recently.

Where do I find someone with an ABS scan tool? There can't be many of those around that aren't at the dealers.

Is there a Jeep repair referral service somewhere that you guys use?

I'll try Doug's advice also.

Thanks!

mine

Then the connector is probably full of dirt and road salt/debris. I dont know where the ABS computer is. I dont have a service manual, and I dont think I want to buy one at this point. We have been thinking about getting a new vehicle- and I'll keep the Jeep for now. There was a website that had detailed instructions on how to remove door panels to replace speakers, I dont know if they have info on the ABS computer location.

Easy enough to do, once I find the computer. AT least I will know the intermittent light wont be due to a bad connection. I haven't been off raod with my Jeep much but there could still be old dirt there from the last time.

Thanks

Yours is actually part of the ABS pump. Follow the brake line from the master cylender till you run into a block with a harness attached to it. That is the computer. There is a tab at the end that has to be pulled out in order to lift the connector. It's not the same as my mine that uses a lever)

To get at it you have to remove the air cleaner housing and move the windshield washer bottle. Might also have to move the steering gear shield. It's burried in there.