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Dashboard lights on - ESP/BAS, ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL

503K views 67 replies 35 participants last post by  MakkaPakka 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hi everyone,
I had a question. Does anybody know what having these four warning dashboard lights come on means?( ESP/BAS, ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL) I tried taking to my dealership (45 minute drive) early this morning and was turned away because they were "backed up", was told to try again Tuesday (4 days away). So I went to a second dealership, advisor was a little nicer but again was told to bring it back Tuesday. Neither one offered to at least dump the codes to let me know if my vehicle is safe to drive, or if more damage to the vehicle could result from driving it.

The 4 dashboard lights come on (every time) after I start the vehicle, put it in drive, and start driving a short distance. Does anyone know what might be going on? It's a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8 with 59,000 miles on. Thanks in advance if anyone has any input.

One side note: I tried pushing the Traction Control button (ESP OFF button located by the hazard button) this evening and have not had the Traction warning symbol show back up on the display after driving around a short block, only the ESP/BAS,BRAKE, and ABS warnings are now showing (but according to the owner's manual the Traction control, even if turned off, should turn itself back on each time the ignition is started, and in my case, it wasn't)
 
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#2 ·
All of those systems are tied into the ABS. You were able to park, so I would assume the calipers, master cylinder, and pads are all ok. It might be a speed sensor, or something else, but it is most likely ABS related. Be careful driving on slick roads or making sudden stops until you can get a code read from the computer/get it fixed.
 
#5 ·
#4 ·
I have this intermittently with my van as well. It is definitely safe to drive, you just won't have any of the electronic assist (including ABS and traction control). I haven't had it happen at a time when I could get it to the dealership so I haven't been able to get it fixed but based on advice received here it's probably due to a failing speed sensor. I replaced my front bearings with aftermarket units that had new speed sensors and the problem went away for awhile but it recently came back so maybe it's the rear speed sensors? I will watch this thread to see how it goes...if anything happens to mine and I can get it to dealership I will let you know as well.
 
#6 · (Edited by Moderator)
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#7 ·
Hi everyone,
I had a question. Does anybody know what having these four warning dashboard lights come on mean ?( ESP/BAS, ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL) I tried taking to my dealership (45 minute drive) early this morning and was turned away because they were "backed up", was told to try again Tuesday (4 days away). So I went to a second dealership, advisor was a little nicer but again was told to bring back Tuesday. Neither one offered to at least dump the codes to let me know if my vehicle is safe to drive, or if more damage to the vehicle could result from driving it.
The 4 dashboard lights come on (every time) after I start the vehicle, put it in drive, and start driving a short distance. Does anyone know what might be going on? It's a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8 with 59,000 miles on. Thanks in advance if anyone has any input.
One side note: I tried pushing the Traction Control button (ESP OFF button located by the hazard button) this evening and have not had the Traction warning symbol show back up on the display after driving around a short block, only the ESP/BAS,BRAKE, and ABS warnings are now showing (but according to the owner's manual the Traction control, even if turned off, should turn itself back on each time the ignition is started, and in my case it wasn't)
Scratch the side note. I drove a short distance around another block and the traction warning light came back on with the other three.
 
#8 ·
Oh freakin' just lovely! I am less than 6 hours from finally being able to take my vehicle in to find out why I am getting FOUR warning lights, and I decided to do a late night run for quick food, and THEY'RE GONE ! No more warning lights, you know, the ones I had since Friday night, the ones that were on the vehicle at the dealership when I got turned away Saturday! The dealership is about an hour away, what do you want to bet if I go I will waste a lot of time and gas only to be told they can't duplicate the problem now!

Does anybody know if the warning lights (which only come on after starting the vehicle and driving a short distance) will store codes anywhere even though the warning lights did not come on this last time I drove it?

The only thing that changed from earlier today when I drove it with the warning lights until now, was I decided to try and locate the ABS speed sensors while it was parked in the garage. I didn't want to pull it out of the garage, so I just started the engine long enough to pull the tires as far to the left as possible, then shut the engine off and let go of the steering wheel, that way I could get the best possible look behind the front driver's wheel. I felt behind there gently to see if I could feel the sensor, but realized it was a futile attempt and gave up. I didn't touch anything in a way that would have moved a sensor or knock debris off. I later started the engine long enough to straighten the wheels back to position, and shut it off.

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
 
#41 ·
Usually there is a steering wheel position sensor in all the stability control stuff so if you turned it all the way a certain way may be that did something to clear the sensor . Don't you love all this stuff you don't actually need .
 
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#9 ·
Take a short test drive and try to see if you can get the ABS to kick in. Also, have you checked your brake fluid level? How about pad thickness? At 59,000 miles, are you on a new set of pads yet? Front and back?
 
#11 · (Edited)
On my way to the restaurant last night, I tried turning the "partial" traction control off by the manual button. I drove a distance like that, but it didn't cause any of the lights to come on (except for traction control) but that light went off as soon as I pushed the "ESP OFF" button again to activate traction control like it is supposed to. I drove it with a little "spirit" to see if I could get ABS to activate, but no warning lights came on. After I picked up the food and started home, there was a HUGE downpour of rain and streets were flooding over, so I thought "perfect, now to test the ABS system"! But after driving through the flooded roads, again with a little "spirit", the van cut through the water like butter and never failed to stop, never lost traction, never let me down (one of the reasons I love this van so much). The warning lights never came on.

I checked the brake fluid level yesterday, and it was half full. As far as the pads, I have had the front brakes rotors and pads changed at 20,035 (after a call to Chrysler they reimbursed me for that one), had the front brake rotors turned and front brake pads replaced again at 31,142 (this time under warranty since the pads were under a 12,000 mile warranty from the dealer) and the rear brake rotors resurfaced and rear brake pads replaced at that same time)( out of my own pocket for the rears ). I thought about that, wondering if the worn pads could cause any of this, so I tried to look at the pads but it's too hard to tell with the wheels on. I just had the van at the dealership within the last couple of weeks for an oil change, they never said anything about worn brakes. You know what, if anything, maybe I should take it in tomorrow and at least have them look at the brakes and tell me how thick the pads are, I am curious with the past problems I have had with the brakes (of course by now I am in the "don't know, don't tell me, don't want to hear it" frame of mind with the brakes, if I don't hear them grinding there can't be anything wrong with them, again :lol: ) . And I do have an inspection sticker due this month, I can have that done if they don't find anything else, that way it wasn't a completely wasted trip.

Besides, if they do find anything tomorrow, maybe it could help you, DogDude. That would make it worth it. Wishful thinking, I know, but I think I will take it in tomorrow after thinking it over. At least then DogDude can tell me "I told you so" :biggrin:
 
#10 ·
That's the same thing that's happened to me 3-4 times now...the lights will light up for days/weeks and as soon as I get a chance to bring it in, they disappear. I've brought it once anyway and they were unable to duplicate or find anything useful so I would save the trip and wait until it happens again if I were you. If you have sand/gravel to try an emergency stop in where you can get the ABS to activate, you may be able to get them to light up again if the ABS fails...when it was snowing here a couple of years ago, the lights would come on every time I tried to stop in the snow (I basically had one stop with working ABS, lights would come on, I'd pull over and turn the van off/on and repeat)...I haven't been successful in finding a place to activate the ABS when it's dry though. Good luck!
 
#12 ·
Get ABS to activate? I have a favorite deserted country road with a dirt/gravel shoulder. Traveling about 30-40 mph I get the right side on the shoulder and hit the brakes just to the point I can hear/feel the right side skid a tad. Almost immediately I feel the brake pedal rapidly pulsate and can hear the ABS pump activate. Works like a champ.
 
#15 ·
I wouldn't think pads would necessarily be the cause, but it was something to check that would be obvious if it was a problem. It is almost guaranteed to be something with the ABS (or speed sensors) given the nature of all the lights that came on.
 
#16 ·
Update : I took my van to the dealership early this morning. The advisor told me there was something wrong with the ABS system, that it would be an extensive effort and take some time to troubleshoot the problem (the warning lights never came back on, so I am not sure yet what brought them to that conclusion - maybe just the fact the warning lights had come on, or stored codes somewhere, I'm not sure). Anyway, he set me up with a rent car, told me that the maximum protection warranty I bought for the van did cover this repair and rent car, and sent me on my way. So I am waiting to hear what they do find. I asked if the Lifetime Powertrain Warranty covered it, and he told me that part of the system was not part of the powertrain, so I am out just $100.00 for the deductible for the extended maximum warranty (I'm not complaining, the covered rent car alone could cost me more if I hadn't got the extended warranty).
Anyway, I will let you all know what they find, especially since DogDude is having the same problem. Til then.....
 
#17 ·
Thanks for the update. Good thing you had the extended warranty. As for troubleshooting, it isn't a brake line issue (no leaking fluid), it isn't the master cylinder (or you wouldn't have been able to stop), and it isn't pads/rotors (again, you wouldn't have been able to stop). If they're keeping it with no lots currently showing, it probably stored a code, and they know exactly what was causing the lights (brake booster, speed sensor, something else). Hope you get you ride back soon!
 
#18 · (Edited by Moderator)
Ok, I finally have the problem solved! It turns out the ABS module had an internal failure. They tested and replaced the module. I was told the module sits under the hood, but I never got to see what the part looks like.

The part number is 68030939-AB (Module AN 8035030). I need to call to see how much the part cost. It was covered under the extended warranty I got on the van, but NOT the powertrain warranty (so it cost me $100.00 deductible).

I also asked if this is a common problem, and the advisor said "no, it's not", but they also told me that when I first had problems with my front brakes at 19,000 miles and we all know how that turned out (Chrysler recall...etc. etc.).

So hopefully this helps someone else out. DogDude, could this be your problem? Do you know if they tested the ABS module? Anyway, has anyone else has had problems with this part, I'm curious about how common it really is?
 
#19 ·
Thanks for the update. Glad you got your van back in working order. I looked for the part number you posted, but I can't find it on the Mopar site. I did find a few others that list it at about $150 for the module. Brake work never seems to be inexpensive, does it?

An ABS module failure isn't quite the same problem as premature brake wear due to poorly designed components, like the brake issues some of these vans have experienced.
 
#21 ·
I finally got the van to the dealership while the problem was occurring and they could replicate. As you can imagine, it was the ABS module and also the wiring harness leading to it that needed to be replaced. Both are being done under warranty (at 128k miles). Considering there's 3 of us on this board that have gone through this and I've had to wait 2+ days already for parts since they're on backorder, it's probably safe to assume this will be happening to more people going forward...
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
The 5th gen vans use a Continental Teves Mk25e (Mark25e) electronic brake control system.
It appears the module is not repairable, unlike the 4th gen ones.
There are a lot of different manufacturers using this system besides Chrysler.



Continental page:
Home | Continental



I have used ModuleMaster in the past to repair the ABS module in my 2001 T&C
Module Master - Module Rebuilds done right.

-------------------------
The system includes ABS (Anti-lock Brake System), EVBP (Electronic Variable Brake Proportioning), TCS (Traction Control System), BAS (Brake Assist System) and ESP (Electronic Stability Program). These system work together to enhance vehicle stability and control in various driving conditions and are commonly referred to as ESP. ESP is standard on this vehicle.

This electronic brake control system uses the following components to operate:

  • Integrated Control Unit (ICU) - Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) (2) and Antilock Brake Module (ABM) (1)
  • Wheel Speed Sensors (WSS) - Four sensors (one sensor at each wheel)
  • Dynamics Sensor - The Dynamics Sensor includes the Yaw Rate Sensor and the lateral Acceleration Sensor.
  • Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) - The steering angle sensor is located in the Steering Column Control Module (SCCM) mounted on the steering column.
  • Brake Pressure Sensor - The brake pressure sensor is located in the HCU and is not serviceable separate from the HCU.
 
#27 ·
I have 2008 with 124000. Just bought it about a month ago with 121000. There were no lights on when I bought it and I scanned it before I bought it and there was nothing. The front wheel bearings were loud. So we replaced the front hub assemblies and wheel sensors with Timken replacements. While installing the hub assemblies I installed new ceramic pads and rotors. There were no lights for a week or 2 after the hub assemblies were replaced. Then one day out of the blue I stopped at a stop sign and turned right, These lights came on and stayed on until I got to my destination. Turned the van off and when I restarted it the lights were on for about 5 seconds and went off. They never returned for a few days no all of sudden they are coming on here and there. Sometime while driving on the highway with no turning, sometimes after starting the van I will let it idle while I am getting situated and they come on. It is just really random now. But every time I reach my destination and restart the van they will not be on. Now tonight I am driving and going down a straight road and the lights all came on along with the ding. At the end of the block I turned right as I was approaching the turn the I hit the breaks to slow down for the turn and I got the roaring of the ABS. This is the first time that has happened. I guess I will either have to take it to the dealer or bite the bullet and replace the module myself. I do not have a warranty on the van so anything is all out of pocket.
 
#29 ·
Yeah I am figuring it is coincidence or maybe a bad wheel sensor which both front sensors were replaced with the new hub assemblies. I am going to call the dealer tomorrow to see if they can diagnose it. I am figuring with all I have read it is probably a bad ABS module. I can get one for about $170 so I am not horribly worried about it. But I figure the dealer diagnosing it will cost more than the part. I thought about just buying the ABS module and replacing it to save the diagnostic charge. But my luck it wouldn't fix it. THe good thing is when I bought the van fro ma private party I got them down a few hundred dollars to replace the hub assemblies. I had a 2002 Caravan before this one and I certainly like this one a lot more. Just the Stow n Go alone is worth the price of admission.
 
#30 ·
I have an '08 grand caravan sxt. On 12/24/13 while driving straight and not touching the brakes these lights came on. The vehicle is under warranty. An appointment has been made to have this checked out. I will post the results.
The van has 80,000 miles on it. On 11/11/13 both front wheel bearings were replaced at the dealership.
 
#31 ·
my guess dirty or loose connection at wheel sensor...


Hi everyone,
I had a question. Does anybody know what having these four warning dashboard lights come on mean ?( ESP/BAS, ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL) I tried taking to my dealership (45 minute drive) early this morning and was turned away because they were "backed up", was told to try again Tuesday (4 days away). So I went to a second dealership, advisor was a little nicer but again was told to bring back Tuesday. Neither one offered to at least dump the codes to let me know if my vehicle is safe to drive, or if more damage to the vehicle could result from driving it.
The 4 dashboard lights come on (every time) after I start the vehicle, put it in drive, and start driving a short distance. Does anyone know what might be going on? It's a 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan SXT 3.8 with 59,000 miles on. Thanks in advance if anyone has any input.
One side note: I tried pushing the Traction Control button (ESP OFF button located by the hazard button) this evening and have not had the Traction warning symbol show back up on the display after driving around a short block, only the ESP/BAS,BRAKE, and ABS warnings are now showing (but according to the owner's manual the Traction control, even if turned off, should turn itself back on each time the ignition is started, and in my case it wasn't)
 
#32 ·
Those indicator lamps are pulsating braking are related primarily to the Steering Angle Sensor which is part of the Clockspring. Remove J6 & J7 fuses until you can get it repaired. They don't shoe on most scanners because they are ABS CAN Specific and no loss of communications to the PCM and ABS has occurred. Connect the unit to a wave form scanner and see if the Steering Angle Sensor Module increases or decreases with the tuning of the wheel while running. Should be a maximum of -721 and +721 on the wave form. Any less and the unit fails it's test. If it does perform as described, replace the ABS Module.

Hope this helps.

Tom
 
#33 ·
I had my van diagnosed and it ended up being the passenger side front wheel sensor, which was just replaced with the new hub assembly. After getting that replaced I am now getting a C2205 - Steering Angle Sensor. Which like previously noted it is part of the clock spring. I am really not liking the idea of almost $200 for a clock spring to fix that light.
 
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