Fixing the 3 Amigos?
#2
#3
The following users liked this post:
Sixpack577 (04-25-2018)
#4
#5
Option B is a breeze and the Wabco Unit itself no matter how new/old is always going to be an issue with that internal connection. I’d do Option B (meter your old switches) and if in doubt replace them. I’ve done plenty of Option B Fixes and the 3 amigo’s only show up for sensors after that. I’ve yet to ever have to replace the entire Wabco Unit. Normally 3 Amigos is sensor or shuttle switch/internal connector.
Last edited by Best4x4; 04-25-2018 at 06:30 PM.
#7
Sad little fact, but I bought a D2 back in my much younger days once for 2.8k less than the asking price. It was at a small town dealer who acted like it was a super rare SUV. I opened the hood and saw someone had done the Option B Fix. I simply unplugged it, and then we went on our test drive. I was quickly greeted with the 3 Amigos which I pointed out to the bounty hunter of the car salesman world lol. Got back & told em the ABS being messed up could be costly. I left & said I’d think about it, but with the ABS and HDC inop I wasn’t going to pay the full price. They called me back 3 days later and said they’d take 2.8k off of the price due to the ABS. They said their tech couldn’t figure it out lol. I went down bought it popped hood before I left & drove off for 2.8k less and no 3 Amigo’s lol.
Was I 100% honest, nope, but neither was that car dealer for asking 3K more than they should have. I got it back down to the normal price range for a D2 & they still made some $$$ on it lol.
Last Option B Fix I did took me less than 30min from start to finish. Big key to making it go smoothly is to have a very good 4mm allen wrench so you break them free without rounding out the head. After that install your auto/boat 2 wire connector into the shuttle valve (I replace the shuttle switches and have it already set to install) so I just quickly swap it out, cut the yellow/green back about 6inches from the Wabco Unit tap into it with a 3M butt connector, install the ground on the HVAC line bolt (secures it to the inner fender), and re-install the Wabco Unit and call it a day.
Was I 100% honest, nope, but neither was that car dealer for asking 3K more than they should have. I got it back down to the normal price range for a D2 & they still made some $$$ on it lol.
Last Option B Fix I did took me less than 30min from start to finish. Big key to making it go smoothly is to have a very good 4mm allen wrench so you break them free without rounding out the head. After that install your auto/boat 2 wire connector into the shuttle valve (I replace the shuttle switches and have it already set to install) so I just quickly swap it out, cut the yellow/green back about 6inches from the Wabco Unit tap into it with a 3M butt connector, install the ground on the HVAC line bolt (secures it to the inner fender), and re-install the Wabco Unit and call it a day.
Last edited by Best4x4; 04-25-2018 at 07:01 PM.
The following users liked this post:
JUKE179r (04-25-2018)
#9
The 04 I just purchased had a flickering Brake light (indicating a fluid level problem) and the seller reported to me that it needed brakes all around. While on the test drive I gave the brakes a firm application and was greeted by the three amigos. The brakes themselves worked ok, although I wouldn’t call them confidence inspIring. They stopped the truck but barely. I cycled the ignition and the amigos went away, only to come back on again a little while later. I went to pick it up a few days later and the amigos were on full time for the 25 minute ride home, and by the time I got into the driveway I was a bit nervous that I would plow into my other cars due to REALLY poor brake performance. The pads were spent and the line to the passenger rear was ruptured but once I corrcted those issues and bled the system the brakes work great, the amigos haven’t returned, and there are no codes in the OBDII. I’m adding this anecdote for anyone who’s struggling with the amigos and finds this thread. First ensure your brakes themselves are up to snuff, as that alone can trigger them.
#10
Aftermarket pads/rotors “used” to do it as well, but LR tinkered with the SLABS firmware shortly after the D2 was released, 03-04 firmware was the best of the best & I’ve swapped all my 99-02 D2’s over to newer SLABS Units. Performing Option B has pretty much become a standard thing I do with any of my D2’s to rule out the weak link inside the Wabco Unit.