Service 4WD, ABS Lights On In Dash... Troubleshoot?

[SeanEboy]

I've finally had it! I want to fix the Service 4WD, and ABS Lights that are staring me in the face every time I drive this truck...
I've gotten stuck on the beach, with only two wheels turning - so I'm assuming I need to swap out the front axle actuator - A1 has it for $60, that seems pretty cut and dry... I've gotten it to shift when whacking it with a hammer, so I'm assuming this will solve this issue.

However, what about the ABS? I was told that the controllers go, and to grab one out of a junk yard... But, how do I know it's not a speed sensor? Would that cause the ABS light to go on? Is this something that I should bring to the dealer to have a code read? Will that give me more information as to which way to go?

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[Ceejkay]

i cant really help you out, but i occasionally get the abs light if im on the beach in 4h and getting on it in super soft sand.. i would start with fixing the 4x4 issue, might take care of your abs light.

 

[SeanEboy]

Interesting.. Thanks Ceejkay! I'll start there...

 

[SunlitComet]

get help from the proper service shop that can read the codes and save yourself money in the long run from unneeded repairs.

 

[SeanEboy]

Well, I've only done the actuator so far - which I was told by a shop "worked when you hit it with a hammer".. So, I figured that was a smart item to change out.. But, I do have the "Service 4WD" light still going.. I'm assuming it is the switch, because the lights flicker on and off with no rhyme or reason to them.
When I start the truck, the switch is lit, then it eventually goes off. I also noticed that the issue might be in the wiring harness, as after pulling the dash, I noticed the lights stayed lit.

 

[SunlitComet]

Any shop with a good snap or otc scanner can link to the 4wd module and give you the code that the light is on about. Bring the code back here for full breakdown.