1998 Gen 2.5 - Brake Failure!

[nwoods]

Okay, not truly a failure, but I am having some braking issues, and do not have a clue how to trouble shoot this, so I'm hoping you all can help.

Issue 1: No Rear Brake Lights! All three brake lights in the rear are non-operational. No errors on the dash. The only fuse I can find that might be related says "Stop" on the interior fusebox under the driver side dash. It's a 15 amp fuse, and it was good. I replaced it anyway, but nothing changed. Still no brake lights. Tail lights, turn signals, reverse lights all work.

Issue 2: ABS works when in Low Range. I am under the impression that the ABS is supposed to turn off when in 4 wheel Low Range. Almost killed myself on Saturday running fast down a sandy segment of Macedonia Canyon. The trail took a hard right to avoid a house sized rock pile, and I stomped the brakes confident that I could slide down slow enough to pitch it into the turn, but the damn ABS kicked in and on sand, I had essentially zero stoppage. Ran right up the rock pile, but fortunately I did NOT splatter myself into it. Still, I went about 30 yards farther past the corner than I would have without ABS in that terrain.

I want to get my brakes lights working, and I want the interconnect between the transfer case and ABS system fixed so that its off when in low range.

Any thoughts?

 

[billygoats]

Nathan. My abs has always functioned in 4low. I guess that's how it works. As for your brake light problem, it might be a loose or malfunctioning brake light switch. There should be a switch near the brake petal that activates the brake lights.

 

[vanatee2000]

my abs shuts off in 4low i believe. 99 montero

 

[Clem]

my abs shuts off in 4low i believe. 99 montero

Does the ABS dash light come on to indicate the ABS is shut off? Or do you know it shuts off because you can lock-up the tires? Just curious.

Thanks,

Clem

 

[vanatee2000]

the dash light comes on. all i have to do is put it in 4low once, and it says off until i turn the car off and back on again. in other words, if i go 4low for an obstacle then back to 4hi or awd, i still dont have abs...not until i shut it down and restart

 

[billygoats]

the dash light comes on. all i have to do is put it in 4low once, and it says off until i turn the car off and back on again. in other words, if i go 4low for an obstacle then back to 4hi or awd, i still dont have abs...not until i shut it down and restart

Very odd. My 99 sure doesn't do that. My abs is on for all modes all the time. If yours is a 2000, maybe it is a 2000 specific "feature"

I think it is pretty easy to disable the abs if you want. I tore an abs sensor, abs light stayed on and I didn't have abs. Once replaced with a new sensor, abs back on. Leave one sensor unplugged if you want to disable abs. Although maybe you can just pull a fuse.

 

[limp_noodle]

Nathan. My abs has always functioned in 4low. I guess that's how it works. As for your brake light problem, it might be a loose or malfunctioning brake light switch. There should be a switch near the brake petal that activates the brake lights.

I had the same problem with my brake lights. Billy is right about the switch. It's an easy fix and costs less than $20.

 

[Eric M]

The ABS should never switch off, that's the benefit of the MultiMode ABS system.

 

[mapper]

The ABS should never switch off, that's the benefit of the MultiMode ABS system.

When searching info about monteros I learned this. The ABS has multiple modes to function while in 4 wheel drive.

I second, third or whatever it happens to be, the brake light switch for your brake lights. Switch is usually on the arm of the brake pedal. May be as simple as a connection, mount or adjustment issue so look it over before you order a new one. It is a simple switch so I'd be more surprised if it failed as opposed to got bumped around accidentally.

 

[Toasty]

This is an interesting topic that keeps coming up, although the ABS works in all modes it should turn off when you're in 4Hlc or 4Llc based on what it senses at the wheels. If it doesn't i suggest "exercising" the function like you would to "fix" the 4wd dash lights and CAD system. You really don't want to be barreling down a steep grade on gravel or loose dirt and find out ABS it going to try to work at the bottom before you turn down a switchback.
Try putting the T-case in 4Llc and push your R/D lock button, then drive a little (make some slight turns if needed) if the ABS light illuminates your ABS is now disabled until you key cycle. Do this a few times and make it a habit before hitting the trail, if you want to be stubborn and prove me that it can in fact run ABS in all modes that's fine but i'd rather look like a ******** to get my point across than anyone get hurt out there.

As for the argument of if the system is supposed to turn off in 4wd, in the manual it basically tells you both things. I used to have a scan of the part that says ABS will be inhibited or something like that, what it boils down to is that yes ABS works in all ranges but it should know when it's defeated and turn off on it's own. For example if you drive all day on hardpack dirt forest road and only lock it in to drive through a rut or some tiny obstacle your ABS will stay engaged (four wheeling like your owners manual says you should). If you drive like most of us do (4Hlc or 4Llc and burn trails all day in these ranges) your ABS should have turned off within 20 feet tops.

My personal experience with Gen 2s and ABS is that my first Gen 2 didn't like to come out of ABS mode (1994 SR 3.5 DOHC) it was scary but i got good at making it turn off pretty quick. Every other Montero i've had has been good about disabling ABS almost right away except my '99 which took maybe two trips to get it to do the right thing every time. So my second '94 SR, '00 LS, '98 LS and my long standing '99 SR all disable ABS right away like clock work. Just sayin'

 

[nwoods]

Brake switch swap completed this morning. Most difficult part was removing the air duct below the dash that obscures all view of the switch assembly. How on earth you are supposed to undo the pushpin clip holding the air duct in place I'll never know. The pieces of of mine are now held together with zip ties

$27 from AutoZone for a new switch (it was in stock), a bit of trial and error to set it to the right throw, and it was all done. Three working brake lights again.


As to the ABS issue, SneakyNinja, if I understand you correctly, I should drop into 4low and turn on the locker, and that should tell the ABS to hibernate until next time I start the truck?

 

[nckwltn]

I've been thinking about adding a dash switch to break the circuit on the fuse to the ABS, so that I can force it to turn off. My ABS seems to be hit or miss when it deactivates. Some of the time, it does disable, but I've had times when the ABS is off after going to 4 low and using the rear locker a couple of times. I'll turn the montero off and start it back up, and the ABS will be re-engaged.... seems to happen mostly when I'm about to hit a tricky downhill section.

I figure it shouldn't be too difficult to break the circuit for the ABS system and cause it to turn off on-demand.

I will also add, there is a process that can be read in the FSM where you pull a relay for the ABS under the hood, ground out Pin1 of the OBD2 port and the ABS light will flash to indicate specific faults. If I recall correctly, I think it even helps diagnose 4x4 flashing lights, and/or center locking light flashing issues.