Been helping my neighbor

[Big Ray]

with his 95ish W/T with the 4.3.
He's fixing it up. Having issues with the brakes. I think there's sir in the ABS controller, but none of us has the scan tool to purge it.

We found a video on doing it manually, but meh...

His tech buddy did it differently, he has brakes now but the brake light keeps coming on.

Glad I don't have ABS...lol

 

[Wes Harden]

If i have ok to middlin brakes I go for test drive and do multiple abs panic stops, then back to shop for normal service bleed. Have to do service bleed, abs bleed, then another service bleed.

 

[JoshHefnerX]

If his brakes seem to be stopping ok, feeling ok. The light could be a bad wheel sensor.

 

[Wes Harden]

wheel sensor is normally the amber abs light, and the sometimes the red brake lamp. Could also be low brake fluid, needs to be looked at either way.

 

[Big Ray]

We flushed it out, new m/c, bled everything but the ABS unit.
He's an older guy, doesn't take suggestions well. He's convinced himself the ABS unit is o.k..
He won't take it to the shop...he's from up north..
Rhode Island i think.

 

[Blue85]

If i have ok to middlin brakes I go for test drive and do multiple abs panic stops, then back to shop for normal service bleed. Have to do service bleed, abs bleed, then another service bleed.

This is what I have had to do since I don't have a fancy scan tool (although this is good place to mention clone Tech IIs are at a pretty attractive price point these days). Once you've bled all 4 corners and the brakes are mostly working, go drive it around carefully to move the bubbles, bleed again, rinse and repeat until it feels good. It's possible you'll move bubbles just driving, but what you really need is for the ABS to engage, so the brakes have to be good enough to sort of lock the tires. Although I have the luxury of living out in low-traffic areas with some gravel roads. If this truck is in town, you'd need some decent brakes to start. I must have used 3-4 quarts when I replaced all the brake lines on a GMT800. I've gotten to the point where the fluid is coming out so clear I run it through a coffee filter and put it back in to continue bleeding (not proud).

What kind of jacks, lifts, forklift, ingenuity are at your disposal? Can you lift front and rear alternately to bleed? Also be sure there is 100% no leaks or you're wasting time (and fluid)

(@Wes Harden Is "middlin" "medium"?)

 

[Wes Harden]

lol yes middlin is medium. I am fortunate enough to have several floor jacks, one that will lift to 3'. Numerous jack stands from 3 to 12 tons. Need to source some of the 3' plus jack stands.
I also have a 9000lb 2 post lift.
Am very fortunate

 

[Big Ray]

Turns out the new m/c he bought was bad.
Now he's building a 305 to replace the 4.3.
Gonna cam it and everything. Tried talking him into a 350 roller, but he's a Rhode island yankee. Can't tell him anything lol