“Service Electronic Braking System” Dodge RAM – What’s Wrong?

The Dodge Ram is a pretty reliable truck. One of the few complaints that have kept resurfacing about this handy truck is the annoying electronic braking system error. If your Dodge Ram suddenly has this warning on the dashboard that just won't quit, this article will come in handy.

Service electronic braking system message highlights

• Common reasons:EPB problems, 12V battery dying, connection and wiring problems
• How to fix:check the battery, check wires, inspect the EPB motor
• Possible consequences:the parking brake may not be available, car may not start
• Priority level:High
• Can you drive?Yes, if it starts
• DIY repair:Possible but complicated
• Repair price range:$150-$800

Here's what I will tell you today:

• What to do when you see the "Service Electronic Braking System" message?
• Common causes of the brake system message in the Ram.
• Practical solutions to problems affecting your electronic brakes.

Let's get started!

What to do when the "Service Electronic Braking System" illuminates?

So, whenever you see this message coming on the dash, you may feel the urge to stop the vehicle right there and then. Any problem with brakes can make you panic, but you should carefully keep driving till it's safe to stop your Ram.

You should understand that the problem, in most cases, tells you about the problems with the secondary braking systems like the ABS or braking power distribution systems. It may rarely indicate problems with the pedal sensor or some other issue that may be way more dangerous.

Here's what you should do:

• find a place where you can safely stop your truck;
• drive very slowly so that you don't rely much on brakes;
• turn on the emergency blinkers to let other drivers know something is wrong with your truck;
• stop safely and turn off the engine;
• try using the tips from this article to learn more about the problem.

Unfortunately, you can't diagnose the car unless you have some experience and several important tools like a code scanner. But you can still do something to check if you can deal with the problem right there without even contacting the dealer.

What are the most common reasons for this message?

Whenever you see the "Service Electronic Braking System" error message in your Ram truck, you will most likely have several other warning lights illuminating on the dash. These could be the ABS light and Traction Control light or error message. Also, your cruise control and several other features will not work when this problem is active.

First of all, check whether you could have deactivated some safety features. Maybe, your traction control button was pressed by chance and this potentially could have resulted in the messages and lights on the dash.

But here are some more common issues to check for:

1) ABS pump

Ram trucks are known for the really faulty ABS pump. My friend and colleague has already changed 3 of them in the truck with 45,000 miles on it. All of the pumps were changed under warranty although the truck is out of the warranty period. The first broke when the warranty was still valid and then the other two failed within one year and the Dodge dealership replaced them for free.

So, the ABS pumps seem to be pretty bad in the Ram trucks, at least in some generations. And they are obviously worth checking. The trouble code for this problem is usually C0020-01 or something like that.

2) Wheel speed sensor

Another pretty common issue is the wheel speed sensor on one of the wheels. This will not allow your traction control and ABS to function properly, so the Ram will most likely show the electronic braking system error message to let you know something is wrong.

The wheel speed sensor lets the control modules in your car know that one of the wheels is blocked or is spinning faster than others (slipping). If the sensor fails, the car may be fooled into thinking that the wheels are always blocked or slipping. To avoid traction control kicking in when not needed, Ram will turn several functions off when this happens.

Replacing the wheel speed sensor is not that hard, so you can do this even on your own after watching some tutorials on YouTube.

3) Wheel bearing

Now, this is not that obvious. When wheel bearings go bad, they start vibrating. This causes whining noise at high speeds. But it also causes bad conditions for wheel speed sensors and other braking system sensors that are located near or on the wheel hub. Eventually, these sensors stop working and trigger one of the possible braking system error messages.

Checking your wheel bearing is pretty hard if you don't have a car lift. And if your dash has an error message for the electronic braking system, I don't recommend going on highways and driving at 80 MPH to check if the wheels are whining. This is really unsafe.

4) Damaged wiring

Several cases are known when the "Service Electronic Braking System" error message comes up on the dash because of the parking brake wiring damage. The wires are not really covered by anything and a sudden rock that jumps from the wheel of your truck may easily damage them.

When it comes to wiring problems, you will need professional help. Diagnosing and solving the problem on your own is close to impossible without professional skills and tools.

5) ABS module

The control module of the ABS system rarely fails in Ram trucks. But if it has been in contact with water or was damaged in any other way, it's very likely that the problem is connected exactly to the ABS module.

Repairing this module is not really possible. It should be replaced if it malfunctions. Also, driving with the faulty ABS module is not recommended. You may only carefully drive to the repair shop or dealership if the brakes are engaging and don't feel loose when you press the pedal.

What else can you try to solve the problem on your own?

So, when it comes to brakes, there is nothing much you can do to save your money and time. You will still need to go to the dealership. But sometimes, in modern Ram trucks, this can be just a glitch of some control module. Or a software problem that will disappear after restarting the engine.

So, whenever you see this dreadful message, here's what you can do:

• Shut the engine off, let it sit for a while, and turn it back on. Did the problem disappear? If it did, just keep an eye on the brakes and keep driving. If not, follow further tips.
• Locate the 12V battery and disconnect it (first negative terminal, then positive). Let it sit for 5-7 minutes and connect the cables (first positive, then negative). If the problem disappears, drive carefully further and keep an eye on your brakes. If not, follow other tips.
• Get a good scanner. The cheap OBD2 scanner won't help because it only communicates with the ECU. You need to communicate with the ABS module and other braking equipment. So, a good Dodge-compatible scanner is needed. You can scan the vehicle for codes that will obviously help you understand the problem.
• Finally, get the car to the dealership and have it inspected. If you can't do anything else to solve the issue, just go directly to the dealership.

Can I keep driving with this message on the dash?

Well, you can't keep driving with the braking system message on the dash. Even if your brakes are OK and the pedal feels just like it usually does, don't keep driving with your usual speed and habits. This may lead to sudden loss of braking power and car accidents with dreadful consequences.

Your first task is to check whether the brake pedal is responding as it should. If it doesn't, just stop the truck safely and don't drive it. Call a tow truck to help you tow the vehicle to the dealership or repair shop.

If the pedal is responding as it should, drive very slowly and carefully to the place where you can get some help. Also, you may consider taking the steps listed above and checking everything you can check on your own.

But never just ignore the problem. This can and will lead to problems, especially in dangerous and unexpected situations.

Final thoughts

You should be careful with the braking system in your vehicle. If it shows you a message like "Service Electronic Braking System" in the Ram truck, you can't diagnose the problem easily. It may mean that there are problems with almost anything that affects the work of brakes in your car.

The best solution is to take it to a professional mechanic and have it tested properly. Without this, your vehicle may not be safe to drive. In the article, I've listed several steps you may take to avoid paying the dealer. But professional help will still be very useful, in this case.