https://www.astrosafari.com/threads/real-fix-for-astro-van-intermittent-brake-abs-light.16006

 

Since it just got done snowing ~6 inches, I will be postponing the work until the snow melts. Gives me enough time to watch the tutorial video and study it. I did read the post, I do have a solder gun. Thank you AstroWill!

 

Yeah, I would wait as well. Though your rear brake proportioning doesn't work without it, just be careful of the rear locking up in an emergency.

I am in the Chicagoland area. Should someone need a scan for any codes that my scanner can read, I would be more than happy to scan your vehicle. Just gotta setup a meet.

Very kind, awesome offer!

 

Service awd light has come on since. Once the service awd light was on i haven't moved the vehicle. Does anyone know if the bad soldering would cause that or am i looking at something else to troubleshoot? I did use my scan tool and saw the same codes listed above, nothing new. Thank you all!

 

Does your tool actually read the AWD codes, a lot of tools don't. I know one of mine will read the ABS, but not AWD. Most of the time it's the encoder motor, but always best to get the codes from it first.

 

Thanks for the response, I have emailed the manufacturer of the scanner I own for confirmation. A quick search-engine result says "yes." I do enjoy being thorough. I was also able to pull this screenshot from their website.

 

Looks like a good scanner, though I don't see AWD specifically mentioned it "should" cover it. Any clicking when you first turn on the ignition?

 

Yes to clicking when I start. sometimes the light is on sometimes it's off.

 

Clicking like the video posted here? Astro-Safari-Info - AWD Transfer Cases

 

Same clicking as the 5 second video, yes.

 

I would be willing to bet on the encoder motor provided the wiring/connector is in good shape.

 

Thank You for your expertise!

 

In the stupid questions category. Well, not really, more in the addled mechanic category.
I started this repair and read a post somewhere else, that said if the brake fluid was low that it could cause the BREAK light to come on and it would then have the ABS light come on after moving the van. Just exactly what mine does. So I went to the garage and got two bottles, DOT3 brake fluid and some ATF (my ATF reservoir was showing low also) Then proceeded to pick up the wrong bottle and poured about 4 oz of brake fluid into the ATF reservoir. I havent moved the van since or turned the wheel. So I can siphon out the reservoir and get all the DOT3. But is that necessary? In the 50s we often used brake fluid in the power steering....not the other way around.....with no harmful effects but the new cars are different so figured I better ask before I move on.

EDIT:No, my manual is all screwed up. I think the reservoir I poured the brake fluid into is for the brakes. I may be ok. But my manual doesent show the same layout as is under my hood for 1994 and later. I am pretty sure its a brake fluid reservoir because it had a rubber tube to the master cylinder. Power steering would not go to the master cyl....I dont think...?
Another failure of the Haynes Manual!!!!!

EDIT AGAIN! I dont care what it is, I just siphoned it out and went and bought a qt of new brake fluid and a qt of power steering fluid. Now when I figure out which hole to pour each into, I will finish the job and try the soldering trick. Next time I will let a sleeping dog lie. I am too old to be chasing dogs. Even sleeping dogs are too fast for me to catch!

 

Jim, post a good underhood picture and I can annotate it for you. Or just take a look in the owners manual, it should all be in there pretty clearly.

 

I think I figured it out. Its the power steering reservoir. But I still dont know why there is a hose to the master cylinder under it. The Brake refill is a rectangular pop off top below it.

 

Well not to the master cylinder, but to the brake booster, which is powered by the power steering pump.

Yes, the rectangular one is the master cylinder reservoir.

 

Well that is the most interesting inter connection between power steering and brake that I have seen since I had a 1966 T Bird that had an hydraulic windshield wipers! They were powered by the power steering pump!

 

If there is a diagram you need, lmk and I will do my best to find it. I was able to locate these for the 2001 2wd in your description. unsure if ac or non ac variants exist. I hope this helps.

Power steering:

Brake:

 

Thanks, that is the diagram I needed. Yes, the power steering reservoir is where I poured the brake fluid. But I siphoned it out and replaced it with PSF and if I missed any, it wasnt much.

 

I am going to keep the post up. Hopefully this assists someone else.

 

Yep, that's the one I have ordered in the past. Can get it cheaper though and with free shipping https://amzn.to/43vpZqs

I have never actually seen it where there is a light but lacking a code, have seen plenty of scanners that don't read everything though. So who knows.

LAPS code readers have gotten pretty advanced over the years as well, might want to swing by one of those and have them read it if you haven't yet, just to see what comes up.