Abs Indicator

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2014 Dodge Journey. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The ABS indicator gives an indication to the vehicle operator when the ABS system, or a circuit or component of the system is ineffective. This indicator is controlled by a transistor on the IC circuit board based upon programming and electronic messages received by the cluster from the CAB over the CAN data bus. The IC will illuminate the ABS indicator for about three seconds as a bulb test each time the ignition switch status transitions to ON.

The ABS indicator LED is completely controlled by the IC logic circuit, and that logic will only allow this indicator to operate when the IC receives a battery current input on the fused ignition output (run-start) circuit. Therefore, the LED will always be OFF when the status of the ignition switch is anything except ON or START. The LED only illuminates when it is provided a path to ground by the IC transistor. The IC will turn ON the ABS indicator for the following reasons:

ABS Indicator Lamp-On Message - Each time the IC receives an electronic ABS indicator lamp-ON message from the CAB, the ABS indicator will be illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the IC receives a lamp-OFF message from the CAB, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
Communication Error - If the IC receives no lamp-ON or lamp-OFF messages from the CAB for five consecutive message cycles, the ABS indicator is illuminated. The indicator remains illuminated until the IC receives a valid message from the CAB, or until the ignition switch status transitions to OFF, whichever occurs first.
ABS Diagnostic Test - The ABS indicator is blinked ON and OFF by lamp-ON and lamp-OFF messages from the CAB during the performance of the ABS diagnostic tests.

The CAB continually monitors the ABS circuits and sensors to decide whether the system is in good operating condition. The CAB then sends the proper lamp-ON or lamp-OFF message to the IC. If the CAB sends a lamp-ON message after the bulb test, it indicates that the CAB has detected a system malfunction or that the ABS system has become ineffective. The CAB will store a DTC for any malfunction it detects. Each time the ABS indicator fails to light due to an open or short in the IC ABS indicator circuit, the IC sends a message notifying the CAB of the condition, then the IC and the CAB will each store a DTC and the IC will flash the brake indicator ON and OFF as a backup to notify the vehicle operator.

For proper diagnosis of the anti-lock brake system, the CAB, the IC, the CAN data bus or the electronic communication related to ABS indicator operation a diagnostic scan tool is required. Refer to the appropriate diagnostic information.