ABS

ELSIEMARSHALL

MEMBER
2002 DODGE DAKOTA
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
151,000 MILES

While driving my 2002 Dodge Dakota, the brakes work well under normal conditions - planned stops such as at a stop sign or while parking, but if I have to stop quick, the ABS will just click in, do three jerking motions and I am no where near the point of them locking. A car pulled out in front of me (I was going 25 mph) yesterday and I slammed on the brakes - the brakes jerked 3 times, but I thought for sure I was going to hit the vehicle. I missed it by inches! I totally freaked out.
Today I took it to our mechanic and could not find anything wrong with the brake system. He drove it and it did the same thing to him. Diagnostics did not show anything at all either. The ABS light is not coming on either. We are at a loss. I need my truck to work! Help!

1 Reply

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,408 POSTS

The way the ABS system works is to prevent the wheels from locking up. When a speed sensor sees a wheel locking up the ABS will actually release the brake on that wheel so that you have control of your steering.

When the brakes lock up you loose the steering function because now your vehicle can skid all over the place. Once the ABS kicks on you will feel the brake pedal pushing back and making noise. So what you are feeling may actually be normal.

You should take it in to another shop for a second opinion just to be on the safe side, but without actually driving the vehicle or no ABS codes it will be almost near impossible to diagnose. Let us know if you take it in to another shop and let us know what they say.