Abs light on 2004 workhorse

[Seighseer]

My 2004 workhorse sightseer 35N abs light is on randomly. When on the brakes seems to work normal, When off they seem to be a hard pedal and close to stop unbalanced braking and weird noise from front brakes. Fluid is about 1/2 inch below cap. Any Suggestions please. Thanks

[Mtn Charlie]

The function of the ABS system is to prevent brake lock-up by pulsing the hydraulic pressure to the brake cylinders. When ABS fails, the brakes don't pulse. When ABS fails, you have the same braking that cars and trucks had before ABS. About the only time that brakes would lock-up on a heavy motorhome would be on ice or heavy rain. The noise that you hear, when the ABS light is off is the brakes pulsing. The most common cause of ABS failure is a faulty speed sensor on one or more wheels. The ABS compares the speed of all the wheels and pulses the wheels that are out of sync with the others. Sensor failure can be from dirt, open wire or a defective sensor. The front wheels do most of the braking, because inertia shifts forward when you apply the brakes. Therefore the front brakes are most apt to lock-up or be pulsed. You should get a RED brake indicator (like when the emergency brake is on) if you have a major brake failure.
Hope this helps.

[Morich]

Originally Posted by Seighseer

My 2004 workhorse sightseer 35N abs light is on randomly. When on the brakes seems to work normal, When off they seem to be a hard pedal and close to stop unbalanced braking and weird noise from front brakes. Fluid is about 1/2 inch below cap. Any Suggestions please. Thanks

You have two items telling you there is something wrong with your brakes. One is the light and it may be explained away but when there is a difference and question about brake fluid, it may be telling you there is a leak in the system and you may not have full brakes the next stop if that leak totally splits and either the front or rear brakes are out.

Unbalance braking and weird noises?
One way to really run up the bill is to ignore weird noise that may be brake bands or pads worn out so that it is now eating the brake drums!

I don't have to be told twice when it involves the brakes going out!