Chrysler Repair: 99 Sebring convert: abs light on, abs brakes, pin plug

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
I have a 99 sebring Convt. new brakes in front . The abs light does not go out. I bought the car this way, (103,000 miles) I did take the car to Midas for their analysis. They connected their computer  and determined that the sensors are ok , but then said it was beyond their ability to diagnose further. They said it was either a bad ground on the computer that regulates the abs brakes or perhaps a bad abs unit entirely. They said i should go to a dealer form more testing . So, I don't have any codes from them on this and since they said the sensors were ok , maybe i could look for this bad ground they spoke about. I do not know where to find the computer to check on this? Do you have any suggestions on how best i could proceed to trouble shoot?
Thank you for all you do.
Tom

ANSWER: Hi Tom,
I would try for a better code readout either for free at Autozone or at a dealer. The reader has to access the ABS controller via the reader socket under the dash by the steering column, but not all readers can access the ABS controller. The controller is under the vehicle attached to the ABS hrdrualic control unit. It has a mult-pin plug and pins 8 and 24 should show a short to chassis ground. Without a code to go on that is about as far as you can go to correct the situation. There is no self-readout technique that can be done without a plug-in reader. I have the troubleshoot manuals for the ABS but they are based upon codes.
Roland

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QUESTION: Thanks for your reply.
I have spoken to Autozone but they only can read out codes for the engine systems, they said they do not have the computer that can access the controller you speak of. The dealer is the place i am trying to avoid as i would like to be able to do this myself. I did see a unit under the car which had about 6 brake lines coming out of it. Perhaps that is the controller? I will look for the multi pin plug , which i guess has at least 24 wires or pins in it and see if a ground is there for me to trace out. Does that sound like a reasonable starting plan?
thanks
tom

ANSWER: Yes, the controller is on top of the hydraulic unit that you described and its black plug has 25 wires. 17-25 are on one side (24 and 25 being larger, 1-9 are on the other side with 8 and 9 being larger, and 10-16 are small in the middle row. That is a way to start. But if the 8 and 24 show grounded, then you will need a readout to go from there. You might try independent garages for a less costly readout of the ABS controller, and they shouldn't charge you if they can't read it out. The most common cause for the light appears to be dirt on the sensor tip, located at each wheel. Also, even after you clean them/solve the problem, the light will not go out until you driven 3500 miles or do 250 start/off cycles, unless you have a reader that can cancel codes. So I wouldn't let the light bother you as there may not be an actual problem. And it is also the case that the abs system is fail-safe (if it has a problem the worst it can be would be as if you didn't have that feature at all). The regular brake warning light however is important to correct if that shows up.

Roland

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QUESTION: Hi,
I am going to check on those 2 wires to see if they are in fact grounded. I am not quite sure how to confirm that they are presently grounded? I know i could ground them , by spicing into them and running it to a good ground but Could you suggest how to tell if the are already having a good ground? Also , i am assuming that if i disconnect the battery for a while that would not cause the computer to make the light go out for a while as it does when  the "check engine" light goes out in this manner. Just wanted to know so that there may be a way for me to  quickly tell if anything that i may have attempted as a fix for the problem has actually fixed it without having to wait for 250 start/off cycles.
thanks
tom

Answer
Hi Tom,
To check for ground take an ohmmeter and measure between the "grounded" wires' pins at the plug and the - post of the battery (ground). It should read 0 ohms if it is a good 'ground',
On the light, the abs controller can only be reset (light put out) with a code reader that has that capability (not just a simple reader). So I think you need an actual code, fix it, and then wait it out or go to a shop with a reader that can reset the abs controller memory.
Roland