ABS/Traction Control disables on low traction surfaces

[Isan]

I'm reaching the point where I'm about to drop a few hundred dollars on a guessing game and I'm not a very gambling man. Whenever I stop on a low traction surface (ice, snow, even gravel if I stop hard enough), the abs/traction control lights come on and abs stops working entirely. This will also happen if my tires start spinning, which on a vehicle that barely passes as 4wd without that system is very annoying and has gotten me stuck more than once. I have replaced all 4 wheel speed sensors on a whim, didn't help. The code it throws is C2200 "Internal ABS Module Error". I've also replaced all of the brake pads on that same whim, no change. There is also a grinding noise when the abs kicks in. My next stop is replacing the abs module entirely, but given that the part seems to be impossible to get new I don't really want to do that. However, if I have too, should I save some money and replace just the pump or the module, or should I replace both. Also, do I have to get the module flashed at a dealer for it to work?

TL;DR: ABS lights when I loose traction, C2200 code, sensors and brake pads replaced, if I buy a new module do I have to get the dealer to flash it?

 

[u2slow]

I think you're putting too much reliance on a finicky system. Our '05 has no ABS or traction control (factory) and it's been an excellent offroader and winter-road-tripper.

 

[Isan]

I think you're putting too much reliance on a finicky system. Our '05 has no ABS or traction control (factory) and it's been an excellent offroader and winter-road-tripper.

Do you have open diffs? Because the whole reason for the traction control system is to be a "replacement" for actual locking diffs, or more specifically limited-slip diffs.

Other issue is, while I would be fine I suppose without it, having an unreliable system is far worse than not having it, because if my abs suddenly fails while stopping not only do I not have abs, I lose a system i was expecting to have. It's like slipping down the stairs. While you totally could walk down the stairs while skipping a step, suddenly being forced too means you have to recover, which is not something I want to be doing while trying to stop my car. And I can't remove the system because I lose my speedometer and rpm guage without it.

 

[u2slow]

Do you have open diffs? Because the whole reason for the traction control system is to be a "replacement" for actual locking diffs, or more specifically limited-slip diffs.

Factory limited slip.
I would prefer a locker actually - but would prefer either one over electronic traction control.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Its tough to diagnose anything over the internet... First step would be putting a scanner on it and seeing if all wheel speed sensors are showing up. Could also check that the module is getting good power and grounds. Maybe when the motor kicks in, the voltage is dropping too low, causing it to kick off.

Idk much about KJ ABS systems since thankfully mine doesn't have it, but back in the day, ZJ's were plagued by bad ABS modules. The solder joints cracked and would cause random issues like that.

 

[KJowner]

So it goes into fault when it's asked to function. JeepJeepster has some good advice, I'd check the ground cable very carefully, maybe even run a temporary lead direct to the battery and test it.
I don't think the ABS is coded, it certainly isn't on mine but mine is quite a bit older.

 

[Desert Doc]

Check your wiring harness on the drivers side near the back seat where the harness goes through the body from the inside to the outside and to the left rear brake.

We had a similar problem when we'd hit a bump or going over RR tracks with the ABS system. It took our mechanic (specialized in electrical issues) over a week to find it. Check your wiring schematic and identify the ABS wire in the harness. You'll have to check every inch of the wire especially where it goes through through a potential stress point. The wire had broken INSIDE its plastic jacket...just enough to stop the current signal when we hit a jerk or bump. He had to basically gently pull and flex the wire inch by inch until he found the INTERNAL BREAK. Then cut and spliced it back together and made sure everything was properly protected at the stress points. Hasn't given us a lick of trouble since then.

GOOD LUCK!!

 

[Isan]

Its tough to diagnose anything over the internet... First step would be putting a scanner on it and seeing if all wheel speed sensors are showing up. Could also check that the module is getting good power and grounds. Maybe when the motor kicks in, the voltage is dropping too low, causing it to kick off.

Idk much about KJ ABS systems since thankfully mine doesn't have it, but back in the day, ZJ's were plagued by bad ABS modules. The solder joints cracked and would cause random issues like that.

My scanner won't do it, I've tried. Though to be fair it's a relatively cheap one from harbor freight. I've been thinking about getting a better one, but I have no idea which one to get. If you could help with that, that would be amazing. I'm going to manually check all the connections when I get a chance later.

 

[Isan]

So it goes into fault when it's asked to function. JeepJeepster has some good advice, I'd check the ground cable very carefully, maybe even run a temporary lead direct to the battery and test it.
I don't think the ABS is coded, it certainly isn't on mine but mine is quite a bit older.

If by coded you mean that it has to be programmed to the vehicle, I'm pretty sure this one does unfortunately, and I've heard rumors that the dealer won't do it anymore.

Now that you said it, that actually makes a lot of sense. The abs system doesn't get used unless under harsh braking conditions or for traction control, so I dont get a fault until then. Thank you lol

 

[Isan]

Check your wiring harness on the drivers side near the back seat where the harness goes through the body from the inside to the outside and to the left rear brake.

We had a similar problem when we'd hit a bump or going over RR tracks with the ABS system. It took our mechanic (specialized in electrical issues) over a week to find it. Check your wiring schematic and identify the ABS wire in the harness. You'll have to check every inch of the wire especially where it goes through through a potential stress point. The wire had broken INSIDE its plastic jacket...just enough to stop the current signal when we hit a jerk or bump. He had to basically gently pull and flex the wire inch by inch until he found the INTERNAL BREAK. Then cut and spliced it back together and made sure everything was properly protected at the stress points. Hasn't given us a lick of trouble since then.

GOOD LUCK!!

I actually found this exact issue while researching this problem posted somewhere else. That will be the second thing I check, first being going through all the connections with an ohm reader and seeing what I find. Thanks!

 

[KJowner]

To get the system checked it would be much cheaper to ask a garage with a decent scanner to do it than spend a lot of money on buying one to use once, a high end one should be able to code a replacement ABS unit too.

 

[Isan]

To get the system checked it would be much cheaper to ask a garage with a decent scanner to do it than spend a lot of money on buying one to use once, a high end one should be able to code a replacement ABS unit too.

I thought about trying that, but I would actually like a higher quality scanner, because I would be using it alot more that just once and I feel like it would be easier to find a scanner than a shop lol.

 

[u2slow]

I could have found, bought, and swapped in an LSD rear end in less time than this thread has gone on.
No scan tools or shop visits to pay for. The 3-key-cycle trick spits out the essential OBD2 codes just fine.

 

[Isan]

I could have found, bought, and swapped in an LSD rear end in less time than this thread has gone on.
No scan tools or shop visits to pay for. The 3-key-cycle trick spits out the essential OBD2 codes just fine.

Hey there! Thanks for the totally backhanded comment! If you had taken some of that time to read my original post in full, you would have seen that I actually already have the exact same code that the key trick would have spit out, and it told me next to nothing besides what the other 3 lights on my dash told me which was "there is a problem with your abs system". And yes, while i could drop the money for a lsd system and install it, that still wouldn't solve the problem of not having a functional abs system, which is an issue for a reason I mentioned in another reply that I will not be repeating. And if I end up going through all that trouble, I'll probably just get actual lockers instead. Thank you for your input though!

 

[u2slow]

Sorry to sound 'backhanded' - wasn't my intent.

I get to the same point sometimes where I can't see the forest for the trees. Need to take a step back and re-assess what actually matters to keep the thing driving.

Edit: also have dealt with 90's Chevy ABS systems that had no place in a vehicle - only a dumpster.

 

[Isan]

Sorry to sound 'backhanded' - wasn't my intent.

I get to the same point sometimes where I can't see the forest for the trees. Need to take a step back and re-assess what actually matters to keep the thing driving.

Edit: also have dealt with 90's Chevy ABS systems that had no place in a vehicle - only a dumpster.

Yea I probably didn't need to be that aggressive either, sorry. I'm a little frustrated with the thing to be honest. I could ignore it, swap out the differentials, put tape over the lights and treat the car like it doesn't have abs in the first place, but it's kinda just a quality of life thing at this point. It's a nice thing to have, its supposed to be there, and leaving the vehicle with a whole part of it missing just doesnt sit right with me. Plus, thinking about it now, that system saved someone's life once, which is a bit of a story but basically a guy was laying in my lane at the top of a hill, I had very little time to react, and if I had to worry about my tires locking up in that situation it probably would have ended very differently. So if I have to spend a couple hundred dollars for peace of mind, so be it I suppose.