[V8] Intermittent ABS light and diff locking up

[Tony and Lillie]

The center differential locks electronically on the automatic V8's. It's signal comes from the TCU, which gets input from each of the ABS sensors. If it detects a certain percentage difference between the front and rear speed sensors (more so than turning a corner, for instance) it will lock that center differential. So, if one or more of the sensors is/are not reading, this is going to read as 0mph on that wheel, and will cause the center diff to lock. Turning on or off the ABS will not affect the locking, as the signal from the sensor is independent of the ABS being on or off.

As for the second question, I've never pulled trans codes. HOwever, if it's designed the same as the newer OBD2 cars, yes, it will tell you exactly where the problem is, then it's up to you to find the specific cause. It may be something as simple as a corroded connection.

Tony

>Subject: Re: [V8] Intermittent ABS light and diff locking up
>
>I'm only hitting the ABS switch to get the ABS light off. I wasn't expecting to unlock the diff. 
>Re: Transmission codes. 
>OK, I've done the flashing bulb thing for the engine codes, but never looked at transmission codes. Are transmission codes done the same way?
>And would transmission codes give me a nice "Hey buddy, ABS sensor on rear RHS is faulty"?  :)
>
>mark.