Tow truck caused ABS problems?

**TRPLXL2** · 03-06-2009, 03:08 PM

I was driving my 2001 S-10 a couple weeks ago, when It suddenly died on me. There were no dash lights no nothing, they tried to jump it and nothing happened. They towed it 10 miles back to my house, when the guy dropped it off and left. I went out and bought a brand new battery for it, and I also had the alternator bench tested and it was shot so I bought a brand new 105 amp alternator and a new serpentine belt for my 4.3 V-6. When we got everything back together and started the truck the ABS light came on, we haven't driven it since it was towed. Has anyone ever had an ABS light come on after there vehicle was towed, I am wondering if some how the shift in weight on the truck caused some kind of valve to mess up in the braking system. BTW-I also had 600 lbs. of sand in the bed if that matters, 2wd doesn't agree with the snow too good!

**ct9a** · 03-06-2009, 03:14 PM

Was it flat bedded or was it the kind the lifted just the front or rear while the other two wheels rolled on the ground? If it was the latter, it's possible that the sensors may have been damaged. I know on some newer vehicles if the car is towed like that the ABS sensors (for whatever reason) are still taking voltage readings and get all out of whack since they're the only ones moving. I would have the codes read for it, then you should have a better idea.

**wpnsgy** · 03-06-2009, 04:19 PM

never had a problem towing one more likely the problem in the electrical system caused a code to set you will need to find some one with the correct obd II scanner to reset them and then go from there

**TRPLXL2** · 03-06-2009, 06:05 PM

Originally Posted by ct9a

Was it flat bedded or was it the kind the lifted just the front or rear while the other two wheels rolled on the ground? If it was the latter, it's possible that the sensors may have been damaged. I know on some newer vehicles if the car is towed like that the ABS sensors (for whatever reason) are still taking voltage readings and get all out of whack since they're the only ones moving. I would have the codes read for it, then you should have a better idea.

It was pulled behind the tow truck, with the front end in the air and the rear wheels dragging it.

I have an Auto X-Ray 6000 I scanned it with, and it didn't pull any codes. But there aren't any scanners on the market right now that scan ABS codes, so I had went out and bought a scanner SPECIFICALLY for ABS codes on the OBD II systems. It didn't pull anything either, and the reason for that is it is only compatible for MOST not ALL OB II systems. I called ACTRON about this problem, and they told me that it unfortunately is one of the vehicles that it won't scan. Figures

These wheel sensors how much do you think those go for, and is that a job I can do with normal tools or does the ABS have to be reset at the dealer by that fancy $20,000 machine that they have. Thanks for your guys help so far, I will take the front wheels off to see if I can see any obvious damage from the tow truck.

**Z71_guy** · 03-06-2009, 10:13 PM

I know at our shop (goodyear) we will clear codes free of charge and we can do abs codes, so i would look into that.

**TRPLXL2** · 03-06-2009, 11:38 PM

Well I wish it was for free to check codes around here in Ohio, unfortunately the big come on is they will check it for free BUT if you decide not to have the work done at a certain shop then you have to pay the $125 analyzing fee. They started doing that because people like my uncle would use those shops to check his stuff, and then he would turn around and not have anything done at their shop. I will check around but I doubt it, thanks for the suggestion though!

**ct9a** · 03-07-2009, 04:07 AM

Honestly, I have no idea how much a sensor would be or whether or not the dealership has to reset it. If you find out, let us know.

**Jimmiee** · 03-07-2009, 10:05 AM

Go out and disconnect your battery and let it sit for a while. Before you connect it touch both battery cables together. Than step on the brake pedal. Then clean the cables and reconnect them.

**TRPLXL2** · 03-07-2009, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by Jimmiee

Go out and disconnect your battery and let it sit for a while. Before you connect it touch both battery cables together. Than step on the brake pedal. Then clean the cables and reconnect them.

That is definately a new one on me, the battery stays disconnected all the time because of the amount of off-road lights that I have on there. My dad put a quick disconnect on there to keep the battery from draining because the truck sits a lot, I will have my dad check out what you said and I will let you know how it goes. I am scared to touch batteries after I had one blow up in my face, I was installing a billet battery top on the battery and I touched the screwdriver to the fender and that was all she wrote!

I always thought that it wasn't good to touch the hot and ground together? But I will check it out anyway, thanks for the advice Jimmiee.

**Z71_guy** · 03-07-2009, 10:11 PM

Originally Posted by TRPLXL2

That is definately a new one on me, the battery stays disconnected all the time because of the amount of off-road lights that I have on there. My dad put a quick disconnect on there to keep the battery from draining because the truck sits a lot, I will have my dad check out what you said and I will let you know how it goes. I am scared to touch batteries after I had one blow up in my face, I was installing a billet battery top on the battery and I touched the screwdriver to the fender and that was all she wrote!

I always thought that it wasn't good to touch the hot and ground together? But I will check it out anyway, thanks for the advice Jimmiee.

its a way to reset the computer seems to work on many occasions