Daughter's 2008 XD abs light on, how do I check fault codes?

[carlsonp4]

Good day all
My 17yr old daughter is driving my 2008 XD. ABS & BRAKE light both come on simultaneously [sometimes they turn off simultaneously] I checked abs function on a snow covered road [while lights were on] and I can confirm that the ABS was not functional.
I was hoping someone out there knows how to pull ABS fault codes on this car.
I'm a bit worried about letting my daughter drive as is and cannot afford to take it to the dealer.
Can you help ??
Thanks

[arabianobsession]

Welcome to Toyota Nation!

There are some scanners that will check ABS codes as well as CEL codes. They're pretty expensive and not many people have them outside of repair shops and dealers. You mentioned a snow covered road....I've found that the ABS and BRAKE lights always come on in the winter. My 98 Sunfire did it, my 00 Maxima does it, and even my brand new 2011 Camry (with 2100 miles!) does it. I've always found that come spring, when it gets warmer again, the lights go off.

[carlsonp4]

Thanks for the welcome!!
The ABS & Brake lights are on and stay on even when the brakes are not being used. I was hoping that there was a poor boy method of pulling abs codes from this car [like jumping terminals at the OBDII connector then watching for the abs light to start blinking [flashing codes]

The abs system is for sure not working as I am able to lock up the brakes easily on a slick road. Many years ago I was a mechanic and I'm pretty sure I can handle this repair but I need a code to get me started in the right direction

[ShawnM]

Theres no easy way to pull codes on newer cars without a scan tool. Best bet is to let a shop diagnose it, and then decide if you want to replace whatever is at fault on your own. You could see if they will just scan it to let you know the code but some codes can be vague and not necessarily point to the real problem.

[TrailDust]

Welcome to the nation! Glad to see some of the members responded to your request.

[arabianobsession]

Originally Posted by carlsonp4

Thanks for the welcome!!
The ABS & Brake lights are on and stay on even when the brakes are not being used. I was hoping that there was a poor boy method of pulling abs codes from this car [like jumping terminals at the OBDII connector then watching for the abs light to start blinking [flashing codes]

The abs system is for sure not working as I am able to lock up the brakes easily on a slick road. Many years ago I was a mechanic and I'm pretty sure I can handle this repair but I need a code to get me started in the right direction

Unfortunately you're kinda stuck getting it diagnosed somewhere else, and like ShawnM said, you can decide at that point if you want to tackle it yourself or not. I've had a couple cars in the past that when spring came around and the lights didn't come off, I found that a bunch of drit and grime and salt got packed in around the wheel speed sensors and I ended up having to replace one.

Just strictly IMHO, but I kinda like having the ABS not work, lol. When it kicks on I feel like I'm sliding further and taking longer to stop as opposed to just stopping it on my own.

Originally Posted by ShawnM

Theres no easy way to pull codes on newer cars without a scan tool. Best bet is to let a shop diagnose it, and then decide if you want to replace whatever is at fault on your own. You could see if they will just scan it to let you know the code but some codes can be vague and not necessarily point to the real problem.

+1

[carlsonp4]

Thanks to all,
I agree with AO and wouldn't mind driving this car indefinitely with this problem but the women in my house do not agree

Thanks Shawn but I'm not ready to give up yet on trying to retrieve these fault codes. Only bad things can happen $$ when you take your car to the dealer.

Thanks again


---------------------------
2008 Scion XD
2010 Ford Escape
2000 Ford Focus [I get to drive the POS]

[arabianobsession]

^ If it's any consolation I'm a woman
Some of us like living life "on the wild side" so to speak.

Good luck, and keep us posted on how it turns out!

[Kiwi-Corolla]

to Toyota Nation!

Looks like you've had some helpful replies . I'll move this thread to the XD forum in case anyone else experiences the same problem in future.

All the best, and enjoy yourself here at TN

[HATEnFATE]

My initial thought would be one of the rear speed sensors having some kind of contamination in it. My xB had the same issue.

Om my xB, there was a relay that sometimes went bad causing a CODE in the system but your D doesnt' have the same part so doesn't fall under that same possible issue.

I would be willing to bet that you have a bad speed sensor on the back of the xD.

[carlsonp4]

Originally Posted by Kiwi-Corolla

to Toyota Nation!

Looks like you've had some helpful replies . I'll move this thread to the XD forum in case anyone else experiences the same problem in future.

All the best, and enjoy yourself here at TN

Thanks so much
Looks like i've stumbled into a great community here

[carlsonp4]

Originally Posted by HATEnFATE

My initial thought would be one of the rear speed sensors having some kind of contamination in it. My xB had the same issue.

Om my xB, there was a relay that sometimes went bad causing a CODE in the system but your D doesnt' have the same part so doesn't fall under that same possible issue.

I would be willing to bet that you have a bad speed sensor on the back of the xD.

Thanks alot HnF!!
My new found community at TN has given me the courage/info to dive in and start with some visual inspections and maybe some pinpoint testing
Paul C >>>

[HATEnFATE]

Now the downside of your xD is that the speed sensor is built into the rear hub assy. Those aren't cheap at 360 dollars each but on the back of the hub assy, you'll see a number stamped into it(stamped into the black metal piece). That black piece is your speed sensor. Get that number and see if you can get it by itself. some of them can be had separately but can't be looked up by the me(the dealer).

If I can get it separately(provided that is the issue) I'd be happy to help.

P.S. go to your local parts store and see if they will pull the code, then hit me up and we'll see what it is.

[carlsonp4]

Thanks HnF for offering critical info
This weekend I'll launch operation "Fix XD without dealer help"
Thanks again
Paul

[arabianobsession]