I have a 2000 DSII that I have owned for seven or eight years. During that time I have had the three Amigos three times about to start working on my 4th.

First time the dealer did the shuttle valve.
Second time it was the left front wheel bearing.
Third time it was the same left front wheel bearing. (did it myself and rented the ABS Amigo).

Now two plus years after the last left front wheel bearing I'm starting to see the three amigos again. I say starting because about three months ago they came on when I stopped the truck put it into reverse quickly to back into my driveway and they popped on. They cleared on there own when I went out the next day. Had a similar incident in a parking lot and they cleared when I came out of the store. Saturday I was backing out of a driveway down hill while turning and they came on again and stayed on through today. Took the truck to a friend with a scanner that indicates intermittent signal from the (you guessed it) left front wheel. He cleared the codes and I drove about 10 miles no issues.

From this I have a few questions.

Are there any thoughts around what I might look into that causes the left front to continue to be an issue.

With the error being intermittent signal is the proper approach to pull the sensor and clean it along with the tone ring. If so is there a recommended process for cleaning?

Thank you in advance for the help

PEter

 

It's a difficult one unless viewed. The tone ring and sensor should, in theory, have enough operating clearance not to be affected by a slightly worn wheel bearing. This then begs the question is the tone ring gummed up with muck or possibly loose or are the sensor and/or it's wiring defective in some way. It'll be a matter of illimination. I would start with the sensor as it's the most accessible before tearing down the hub to access the tone ring. Test out the sensor electrically first and then it's connections through to the SLABS. If this all proves OK then take a look at the tone ring and clean out with brake cleaner and a paintbrush but don't use it on the sensor use something like WD40 'cos it's plastic and may well melt. Check your hub at the rotor/disc for any free play before you strip it all down. Whilst at it, if it were me, I'd replace the shaft seals at the same time and disc pads if needed and also deburr the edges and measure the rotor thickness with a micrometer. Might as well do all the front end both sides whilst getting dirty in any case.

 

Thank you for the response I will start by cleaning the sensor.

What about using brake cleaner on the tone ring via the sensor hole?

Thanks
Peter

 

The problem in situ through the sensor hole is you cannot get the fluid out and it will dilute the bearing lubricant. The tone ring shares the same cavity and space as the tapered roller wheel bearings that is why they sell the hub as a complete module. To disassemble and reassemble the hub is difficult without a hydraulic press of at least 15-20 tons and the right press plates. If I were you I'd soak a rag in brake cleaner and try to carefully clean the tone ring with the rag first and then blow out with some compressed air all via the sensor hole. If you take a look at RAVE page 54-3 it will all become clearer. The front hub, I believe, is identical to the rear hub and is modular but without an 'O' ring seal. Splitting the hub apart is no mean task and not really for amateurs like us as they are factory assembled and tightly pressed together. Start with cleaning the sensor and connections with WD40 and spray the contacts with contact cleaner lubricant and then attempt to clean the tone ring but don't drop any rag, dirt or debris into the hole as it's also the wheel bearing.

Apologies, I was premature in assuming you splitting the hub in my previous post as I didn't think it through fully and I also have a fully equipped engineering workshop for such ops whereas I wouldn't expect everyone to be similarly equipped.

 

Awesome thank you for the response. Your description makes total sense to me.

I will start with the sensor and cross my fingers.

 

I would recommend buying an ABS amigo and reading your codes. These amigos will be around for the life of your vehicle in one way or another. I've dealt with them a few times in my 4 years of owning a D2. Sometimes it's just something simple like the squeaking of your breaks that sets them off. If the codes are not "hard" codes It might not be a big issue.
Any time i've had a real-fix issue with my Amigos they've stayed on until I fixed the issue or cleared the codes. They were not intermittent.
Good luck.