Hey all! Was out driving today with my Chrysler 300c V6 diesel on the highway and I was going 100kmh with the cruise control on. Suddenly it stopped accelerating and it kind of felt like it was going into neutral even though I had it in drive, so it went down to idle and the car started to slow down so I had to stop on the highway, put the parking brake on and restart the car. Then it went BUT the cruise control doesn't work now, the abs light is on and the traction control light is on. It also says EPS bas. What should I do to turn off the lights so this doesn't happen again? yes, they mean it's not fun to drive on the highway and notice that the car is losing speed, pure danger to life.

 

The cruise control will not operate if there is an issue with the abs system. There are diagnostic codes set in the abs control module that will help to determine why the abs, trac control, and esp bas lamps are on. You can pull these codes with a OBD scanner that reads the abs module. My first suspicion is an abs sensor has stopped responding. The diagnostic codes will point you to a wheel. I would also expect there to be engine and transmission diagnostic codes as the ESP (electronic stability control) and traction control involve both the engine and trans,

What is the year? If it is RWD and a rear abs sensor is being reported, it may be the tone ring on the axle shaft is damaged rather than a failed abs sensor itself.

 

Thanks for quick reply! It is a 2007 model year. Yes, I've read around a bit online and many people write abs sensor, maybe I should start there. But the big question is which wheel they are about and to see them I need an OBD scanner, right? and they're not supposed to be cheap...

 

You can get a handheld OBD scanner that pull ABS codes for about $100. The important part is the ability to read the ABS control module.

There are two apps that can pull diagnostic codes from all computer modules, appcar-diagFCA and alpha OBD. The apps costs about $50 and require an OBD dongle, The dongle can be bought for $50 to $100 depending on your need and preference

You may want to ask at an auto parts store for a diagnostic code scan or possibly a loaner scanner. Some may pull the abs codes. My suspicion is a rear abs sensor because the TRAC and ESP lamps are lit. Traction control relies on drive wheel spin rates. The front abs sensors do not light the trac control lamp unless you have FWD or AWD (all wheel drive). Also note a rear abs sensor will also set codes in 3 areas, PCM, TCM and ABS as the wheel speed from both rear wheels (from abs sensor) is used to regulate engine speed and trans gear selection in low traction conditions (aka spinning wheels).

I also note that if a rear abs sensor code is set it may be the tone ring on the axle shaft is damaged. I ran across this on an '06 charger that had a right rear abs sensor code. Replacing the abs sensor did not clear the code and closer inspection revealed a damaged tone ring. This required replacing the axle shaft itself as the tone ring is part of the axle shaft.

 

I had to buy an OBD scanner cheaply from a friend and it says rear right abs sensor so I ordered a new one. Hopefully it's the one that's wrong and nothing else so I have to take the car down to pieces.