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ABS, ESP/BAS and skid control lights came on?

Tiny
SPIRITO43
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 CHRYSLER ASPEN
  • 5.7L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 110,000 MILES
There is a ground strap hanging loose in the left front wheel well. The end has been sheared off so I don't know what kind of connector it had. I need to know where it should be attached.
I recently had new ball joints and front brakes and rotors installed.
Shortly after this work was done my ABS, ESP/BAS and skid control lights came on and have been on ever since.
I was wondering if they could have broken the ground strap when they were working on the car and if that might be the reason the dash lights came on.
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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 6:53 PM

10 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,315 POSTS
Hi,

Is it possible for you to get a pic and upload it for me to see? Usually, the ground straps will run to a secure place on the body or frame of the vehicle.

As far as the ABS, they would have been working all around the sensor wiring, so it is possible they left something disconnected or broken. It could be the ground strap, so lets get that fixed first and see if the light goes out.

Let me know.
Joe
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Monday, September 7th, 2020 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
SPIRITO43
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Hi Joe,

Thanks for the quick reply. I was a little inaccurate in the position of the ground strap, it's actually just behind the wheel well. I've taken a few photos and will try to attach them to this reply. I'm not really good with this stuff; but, I'll do my best. The one photo is looking straight up at the strap and the other is on a bit of an angle looking towards the back of the vehicle. The photo of the dash shows the warning lights. The brake light is because of a problem with the emergency brake system. I was told by a mechanic that it was probably caused by sensor and didn't affect the function of the EB.
Thanks in advance for any help.
Pat
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Friday, September 11th, 2020 AT 1:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,315 POSTS
Hi,

The ground most likely went to the engine block or transmission housing. Check along the side of it for the other end (connector). I don't think that is causing the ABS issues, but anything is possible.

As far as the ABS and traction control lights, it is likely a sensor. Since work was done on the front, check to make sure the wiring wasn't damaged or disconnected. The actual sensor is located behind the brake rotor, but the wiring come through the rear of the backing plate. Check to see on both front wheels if anything happened. See pic 1.

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe

Update: I just walked out and crawled under my truck (2009 Dakota). The ground on my truck is located at the same place, but looks a little different. I can tell you that it attached to the floor pan in front of the body mount.
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Friday, September 11th, 2020 AT 8:11 PM
Tiny
SPIRITO43
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Joe,

Very sorry for taking so long to get back to you. We've had some issues with this flu thing and are finally getting straightened out.
Everything on the car is still as it was when I spoke with you. I haven't been able to get back to the ground strap problem; but, hope to do so in the next week or so. I will get back to you as soon as I do. Thanks for your help on this.
P.S. In the picture you sent me, it looks like the ground strap is attached to something very near the wheel. Is that correct?
Pat
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Thursday, January 7th, 2021 AT 12:32 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,070 POSTS
The image is for the ABS sensor. Can you see the other end of the ground strap? It will go the body or engine/transmission.
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Saturday, January 9th, 2021 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
SPIRITO43
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
The end that is attached is just before the front strut on the left side (drivers side) and is attached to the frame. Freezing weather here in N.E. PA, haven't been able to get back out to look at it. When I checked in September I couldn't find where the other end was supposed to go. Did Joe post the picture with the idea that it should be connected to the ABS sensor?
Thanks for the quick reply.
Pat
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Saturday, January 9th, 2021 AT 6:43 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 43,070 POSTS
The grounds strap it does not go to the ABS sensor, you will need to look around to find the other end. If you can upload more image of the area we can help you better.
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 11:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,315 POSTS
Hi,

The ground comes from a black/dark green wire (left front of the engine compartment). Take look at pic 1.
It is indicated by G114. You have a loose wiring harness. See if there is a black/dark green wire in it.

Let us know.
Joe
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Monday, January 11th, 2021 AT 11:52 AM
Tiny
SPIRITO43
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Joe and Ken,

Thanks for your help. It turned out to be the ABS Control Module. The problem with that is it costs between $550.00 and $750.00 to buy a new one and then you have to have it reprogrammed. I'll have to live without the ABS.
I foolishly tried to take it apart to see if there was anything that could be fixed and made things worse.
After messing it up I found out that there are places that would have rebuilt it for between $200.00 and $300.00 plus shipping.
It was an expensive lesson.
The problem is there were only about 60 some thousand of these Aspens made; so it isn't worth it to the rebuilder's to make the parts like this.
Again, thanks for trying to help.
P.S. The ground strap was originally attached to the top of the engine. It took a bit of searching; but, I finally found a piece of the strap still attached at the top.
Turns out you were both right on that issue.

Thanks,
Pat
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Monday, August 9th, 2021 AT 7:41 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Good morning,

I attached a website for you to view for the module.

www.car-part.com.

They have pages of used modules for you. You will still need to have it programmed but it costs a lot less than what you were looking at.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-abs-controller

Roy
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Thursday, August 12th, 2021 AT 3:09 AM

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