newnthused

2001 Lexus RX300
ABS light is on
So are the VSC, TracOff and Check Engine lights.
I tried to tackle the ABS light situation by bleeding my brakes and putting new fluid. Didn't work.
It only happens occasionally, but the Abs light will turn off and the brakes will start kind of locking (not sure if that's the right term). It's kind of like a grind and a skip. But then the abs light will return and the brake stops locking/grinding/skipping. Changed brake pads recently so it's not that. Rotors seem to have good thickness.
Can someone help, please?
Thanks.

LeX2K

You have one or more bad ABS sensors, likely damaged during the brake job. Traction control relies on these sensors (that's why the fault lights are on) and will act up if they are not sending a reliable signal. First step is hook up a scanner and read code(s).

newnthused

During what brake job? The ABS light was on before bleeding and before brake pad replacement. It's been on for months.

LeX2K

Wires tend to get pulled/damaged during brake jobs. Either way, read the codes to see which sensor(s) are not working.

newnthused

Okay! Thank you.

maxSteel

Your ABS issues are not caused by fluid, pads or rotors. Many of us have experienced cracked and loose reluctors (tone rings). Some have had a sensor go bad.

The grinding/skipping feeling is low speed ABS activation. It won't happen when the ABS light is on because the system is disabled. When the light is off it thinks the system is ok, and because of the reluctor or sensor issues the ABS activates when it should not.

There are multiple threads about ABS, here's one: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...than-5mph.html

This procedure tells you how to read & clear ABS codes: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post9104458
There is a link there to the list of trouble codes which will point you to the wheel(s) with an issue

I have never been able to remove a sensor without breaking it. By now they are jammed in there very tightly.

Note in the second thread above Salim reported his ABS issues were caused by a bad alternator

chuc65k

On my 1999 RX300 with 80000 orig miles sometimes my Tracoff light would blink and my abs light would light up. Was on my way to dealer to have a spare key made and ask them to check for codes. NO CODES. Dealer said nothing they can do without codes. I could restart the cars and no lights. This happened about once every 2 weeks or so. Couple of months latter I had a Toyota mechanic replace my alternator, he said that was almost always the problem. The lights have not come on since.

newnthused

Thank you!