How to fix a ABS issue in a 2017 2500 RAM?
Asked by AustinMcGinnis May 27, 2020 at 06:17 PM about the 2017 RAM 2500 Laramie Crew Cab 4WD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
I have a 2017 RAM 2500. The abs and traction control light are flashing on
and off SEVERAL times each trip. It kicks my cruise off and sometimes stays
on which locks the diff and has destroyed my back tires from turning. Ive had
it in a shop and read the codes twice. They said replace the abs pump and if
it does it again put a new module on and re program the new module.
Exactly that was done and i didnt even get out of the parking lot and it
flashed it again and is continuing to go on and off. Ive checked fuses and im
asking if anybody has had this issue and what fixed it.
46 Answers
AustinMcGinnis answered 4 years ago
F_O_R i asked them the same question and there response was the code is showing the pump. We dont see any other electrical issues
I take it your truck is not under warranty anymore. I would want a better diagnosis before spending all that money on a new ABS pump.
AustinMcGinnis answered 4 years ago
truck is out of warranty. Its showing the same exact code and they charge for each diagnostics reading even when i show them a picture of the code before they even hook it up. :we need a good troubleshooting start point" is what ive heard every time.
Reading the codes is the starting point but clearly that is not the solution. You can buy a scanner that will read ABS codes for a hundred bucks or so. As much as I hate dealers this may be a job for a Dodge dealer. If this was a dealer you need to find a better one.
Did you ever find a solution? My '17 3500 4wd is doing the same thing. ABS & TC lights flash on and off. Front wheel bearings needed changing so I did that and the front sensors, but it didn't help. I don't like firing the parts cannon so I am hesitant to change the rear sensors. If anyone has any advise I would appreciate it.
I am having the same issue for the second time. It's the ABS Module AND the Hydraulic Control Unit. They both have to be replaced at the same time, according to RAM. These parted are located together mounted to the top of the left front shock assembly.
AustinMcGinnis answered 4 years ago
Albert that's what they told me. After the second time of them doing the same process I finally told them they were idiots and left. There is a real issue here and the program tells them to repeat this process. Let me guess they said we will replace the pump and then they said we will replace the module. They do that and come back and say "okay we have to repeat this process again"
terrelldspaulding answered 4 years ago
My 2018 Ram 2500 4x4 is doing exactly the same thing. The SEBS and ABS lights and alarm will start flashing and dinging when I hit a bump and continue off and on sometimes for several minutes and other times just a couple of times. I just cannot see the pump being the issue when it seems like it is some type of electrical short. My truck is also out of warranty so I don't want to start replacing expensive parts when it may not be the issue. Following post.
My 2017 Ram 1500 Big Horn was doing the same thing. Intermittent ABS and traction control lights, no cruise or 4x4. Mine ended up being the left front wheel speed sensor. It had somehow come loose from the clip that secures the wire to the brake line. It must have gotten against something and had rubbed the insulation off of the wire for the sensor. It would trigger the ABS and TC lights when it was damp, when turning, or when hitting a bump, intermittently. This made it difficult to track as the warning lights would go off and nothing would be stored. I purchased a code reader that would read ABS for $129 on Amazon. I carried it with me until the light came on, stopped and read the code, then, and only then, I was able to locate the issue. Might not be the same for all, but it is a place to look.
Guru95CDVY answered 3 years ago
I am having the same issue. I have an EzLynk tuner and the code is the same every time....
Guru9TP5FW answered 3 years ago
Have any of y’all that are having the ABS and Tc light issue did you put your truck on a diet to lose some weight?? I have the same symptoms but it’s looking to be a tune issue.
Guru9TP5FW answered 3 years ago
Have any of y’all that are having the ABS and Tc light issue did you put your truck on a diet to lose some weight?? I have the same symptoms but it’s looking to be a tune issue.
Guru9TPY7L answered 3 years ago
I had the same problem on my 2018 dodge ram 3500 I just used a rubber mallet and hit the pump in my light went off. I think that means to pump is going bad replace it and you should be good
AustinMcGinnis answered 3 years ago
The truck was tuned and deleted and had a few more mods done.
AustinMcGinnis answered 3 years ago
They also told me to replace the pump and module at the same time. So I told them to do it. They replaced both and as I was pulling out of parking lot it came right back on. They ran the code and it said do it again and if I’m lying I’m dying the mechanic said “we need to replace the pump and module”. They made me mad enough to buy a new 2500hd and say screw ram period
@austinmcginnis haha damn yeah I would be pissed also. I am running Into the same issue and I’m thinking it’s related to the tune. I have checked every other option possible. Of course the tuner says it’s not is fault. But none of the codes relate to each other.
So I wound up buying a used HCU and pump from a pull and pay installed it and got dealer to flash the computer. Solved my intermittent abs/tc light. Ive put about 10k miles on it with no problems yet.
@AustinMcGinnis what tune were you running?
Deadpoolmax answered 3 years ago
I had the same problem and found the HCU motor to not have an electrical connection. Replaced HCU working fine now.
Guru9B17HN answered 3 years ago
I have a '17 3500 4wd that had the same problem with the ESC and ABS warning lights coming on and off, especially when on a rough road. This happened at 24k miles. I replaced the HCU and module - had to have the dealer program it. That solved the problem for 20k miles. Now I'm at 44k miles and the same thing is happening again. If I slam on the brakes, the ABS works.
Husker8923 answered 3 years ago
Same problem here. Need a fix. This random chime & Abs light constantly going on and off is driving me nutts!!!!!!!
Guru9L4LK1 answered 3 years ago
I have my 2018 2500 tuned with ezlink. My ABS TC light keeps flashing on a off. Am I reading correctly that the tune could be setting it off. Ive had the tune for about 40k miles with no issues. If the ABS and HCU module is going out and I replace them, does the dealer have to flash my cpu and if so will that erase my tune? Thanks
avengerman14s answered 2 years ago
I’m having same issue now twice on 2017 with less than 30000 miles. First one replaced completely in 8/2019, now doing it again. Trouble code is C0020-01, this only started after the factory service recall work was done on the front steering rod was welded (by dealer). My suspicion is they connected the welder ground clip to brake lines for easy ground and might have surged the computer. I had a bad computer in my Ford F-250 and it did weird issues until it finally died. That said has anyone found a bad wire or connector on there Ram ABS Module before?
I’m having the same issues on a 2018 ram 2500. I saw on another thread that none of the fuses were pushed in all the way down. After they pushed them down and seated correctly certain issues went away. Are y’all still having the same abs light problems? I’m seeing a lot of posts where they replace the abs pump, module, and hcu but lights come back eventually.
Guru9NGWDL answered 2 years ago
2017 Ram ABS and Traction lights on, 4wd flashing and shuts off 4wd. One of the rear speed sensors not communicating. Removed the sensor to find metal dust collecting on the sensor magnet. Cleaned the sensor and it works for a while. I clean the sensors off every time I have the truck on the lift now. Another word of advice is shorten the speed sensor bolt to minimize the thread length as the bolt will break off easily. Anti-seize the bolt. Apparently something is rubbing causing metal dust to collect on the magnetized speed sensor. These trucks go nowhere without 4wd
Guru9F1RZ4 answered about a year ago
i have a 2018 dodge 4x4,doing the abs light & traction and that ding ding about 60 times a minute . took it to dealer this is third time since new well in October 2022 they told me they wont have the part until after December 31 ! my fix is ; if they fix it , im stopping at the Toyota dealership price LaBlanc in baton rouge & trade it in on a new Toyota truck & be through with this piece of crap ! this is the first & my last dodge !! Toyota im coming back & i refuse to buy anything else !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The problem isn’t the module or the sensors etc. The harness that plugs into the module, the terminals inside are “loose”. There is a horrible connection. I figured this out on mine by wiggling the connector. I’m currently on the road and I am going to get a big badass zip tie and see about either using it as a wedge or using the zip tie and try and sandwich the plug into the module as tight as I can.
bricklayer1 answered about a year ago
Dont believe the code when its says it is an electrical problem !! It was air in the ABS hydraulic control . Had to do an ABS bleed 3 times to get the tiny air bubbles out Mine is a 2017 ram 5500, 4x4 motorhome . When they stretched the frame they had to lengthen the brake lines My guess is that is when the air got in ,they may have bled the brakes, but not the ABS. mine had been intermittent from about 3000 miles to now 24,000 miles If there is air in a brake line it can take a long time to reach the ABS hydraulic Control . And is probably more like foam then actual air bubble.
bricklayer1 answered about a year ago
Also i bought a hydraulic control valve ,and a right front speed sensor line thinking that must be the problem So those parts are for sale cheap ! THE CODE LIES ! It was not an electrical problem ! A vacuum bleed system works incredible !
bricklayer1 answered about a year ago
The scanner i used was from autozone An innova 3170 rs . It is a little hard to get into the ABS bleed function ,but its there .
@ED, any luck with that? I really feel you are on the right track with this. Mine will sometimes be off for a day or two, then come on 15 times in a row...It can't be anything besides a loose connection the way I see it.
Bricklayer1 is this still working for you? Has the light come back at all? I'm desperate for a fix
bricklayer1 answered about a year ago
It worked , for quite awhile !! Lol each time i did it ,it got better . My scan tool has me only open the right side front ,and right side rear and says done ! Im going to do both sides front and rear next time . Im on a long trip and will do it when i arrive . The drastic change when i did the bleeds leads me to believe im on the right track
Guru9373DP answered about a year ago
I am having the same ABS issues AGAIN on my 2017 3500HD. The hydraulic module and controller were both replaced under warranty on 4/2020 @ 15K miles. Now seeing the same warnings 3/2023 @ 26K miles. This truck only tows a goose neck trailer and has low miles. Going back to dealer tomorrow to see what is going on. My scanner reports code C002001-ABS Pump Controller General Failure. NHTSA has an open investigation for this all too common issue with 2917 and 2018 2500/3500s. If you all have a few minutes, please go to the site, https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem#index, and report your problem. The more reports the better.
@lance, no this did not work or do anything. Still having the same issue etc. sorry for the late response. But I could have sworn I posted back on here. I did receive and email to report this problem. Link https://www.nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety- problem#vehicle/incident-information The dealer replaced the module once before supposedly and of course that warranty has timed out. I’m just tired of the random dinging on and not being about to use the CC.
Please see link and copy and paste in your address bar and submit the information. More people the better
Hi I hope this can help others. I I encountered an ABS light a couple of days ago and I browse online to find help. Luckily, i found the article of YOUCANIC about ABS light in a Dodge. I found out that i have a bad FLH wheel speed sensor. Thanks to YOUCANIC. i saved a lot of money and time! Hope this help others too!
Yell_For_Help answered about a year ago
I had replace both rear FLH wheel speed sensors. Problem went away for about 45 days. Then having the same traction control error. Scan tool said replace ABS module "A". So I read online in several places to clean the grounding connections and another said to ched the fuse connections. I had an issue with the HVAC fan working intermittently and online vid said to push down on the fuse loose issues. I will try to do this next and check connections. I will update if this has worked.
GuruDDG63T answered about a year ago
i am having the same problem and just today the traction and ABS light is back on after having the pump changed 2 years ago, and then replaced it two years before that. So now I am lookin at another pump and this is out of warranty now. I think I will try to look at these wheel spped indicators. Mine is 2017 2500. Cant believe these pumps only last 2 years! Something else is going wrong.
bricklayer1 answered about a year ago
Hi guys Bricklayer 1 here , mine is a 2018 5500 This is so hard to diagnose , but i think i hit the jackpot this time . Each time i try something it fools me ,so not guaranteeing anything . But . If i release the parking brake and let it slam up , rather then put my foot on the pedal and let it come up slow it has a direct affect . Trouble is once a code flashes from bump or pot hole i have to pull over erasee the code , put the parking brake on and let it slam up again , If you look up under the dash you see a flat piesce of cooper THAT IS THE SWITCH ! It looks like a caveman designed it ! The lever of the parking brake has to touch it !!! Sorry i havnt taken iit apart yet , to redesign the switch . You will notice you can push the pedal down a little ways before the dash signals that the brake is on that is what happens when you hit a pothole . The whole ABS syaten is designed to check voltage levels and im sure this is screwing it up ! Like i said the design is terrible , something a farmer would do in his barn/ shop to get by . I still havnt gone to a dealer on this , and im not going to . And i have the valve assembly bought and paid for , but refuse to go that route till i absolutely diagnose this . My rig is a 4x4 motorhome on ram 5500 chassis so isnt a daily driver .
Ok so I've seen some info over on Ramforum that indicates there's a spring that gets jammed inside the HCU that is causing this. Ram has redesigned the HCU but currently has not started production on the part, production is expected to start March 2024. In the meantime, everyone please report this to NHTSA. THey have over 100 complaints already and have opened an investigation, but every squeaky wheel helps. Also if anyone has replaced the parts, what they really need is the old parts for testing.
I am having the same intermittent ABS and TC warning lights and audible warning now. Of course my 2017 is out of warranty. And has 43000 miles. I have submitted a complaint to NHTSA.
nighthawka32 answered 10 months ago
*FIX...2018 Ram 2500. In June 2021 had the "Service Electronic Brake Unit" and ABS light flash intermittent, and Ram replaced the HBU under warranty. In August 2023, the same issue occurred. This was exactly 1 month after the 2- year part warranty ended. Vehicle warranty refused to pay for another replacement because it is a faulty part (68143491aa anti-lock brake HBU), and Ram refused to replace even if I paid cash because it would just happen again. The issue is still under engineer review (1.5 years running); however, there is a new part that should fix the issue. The part number is 68143491AB (anti-lock brake system HBU), which replaces the OEM part number 68351453aa. The issue is that Ram can't get their hands on the part through their parts dealers. You can find them on ebay ranging from $200 to $500 (depends on the greed of the seller). Ram will install the replacement unit even if you buy it separately from the dealer. Hope this helps.
GuruDTQGLB answered 4 months ago
I have a 2017 Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. ABS light has been coming on intermittently for the last month or 2. After watching a video about this I accessed the main electrical connection on the ABS Hydraulic unit and cleaned it with electrical cleaner as best I could. Still had the ABS light on. Watched a YouTube video about a guy who pulled the motor off the ABS Hydraulic and discovered that the brushes on the motor were too big for their housing and weren't touching the armature. He sanded the brushes down a bit then reinstalled them. No ABS light. After watching that I tapped my ABS Hydraulic Pump motor with a wrench and now my ABS light is off. We'll see how long it lasts but that may be the issue with a lot of these.