edit: 2001 4dr 4WD

Hi all. A couple weeks ago, my front brakes locked up, ABS light went on, and I lost 4x4 capability, getting stuck in a snow bank, front tires not moving. Cranking the wheel to lockout in either direction, something that sounded like it was in the driver's side wheel well went "pong" as it released (caliper?), the ABS light went off, 4x4 was back, truck was outta the snow.

Then yesterday ABS light was back, and I started getting a serious electrical hum under the hood, even with the motor off. Pulling the ABS fuse kills the shorting ABS controller, but now the red brake light on the dash is also lit, it feels like something is dragging, and I had a squawking, skidding start in 2WD earlier when starting from a stop with a tight turn.

I've pumped the brakes, I've set and released the parking brake, turned wheel to lockout in either direction, I've toggled ABS by putting the fuse back in, operating all the same equipment, removing the fuse again, all with no change. Brake fluid level is fine.

Is the red light related to the ABS at all, or do I need to be looking at parking brake cable or bracket, or calipers or something?

 

Have you changed brake pads/shoes in a while? Sometimes the ABS light will come on if the brakes are worn.

 

Rear pads were supposedly new when I bought the truck in October. When I got new tires on in November, I had the shop take a look around brakes & steering, they said everything looked good.