ABS acting up below 6mph

[ben416]

I just got a 2001 Ranger 4x4 S/C XLT with 59k miles on it. One of my buddies who goes by the username gribly suggested I post my ABS issue for some advice.

Basically anytime I slow down and the speed is below 6mph the abs kicks in even on dry pavement. A mechanic hooked it up to a computer and all the speed sensors read right except the front left. It reads 0mph until all the other sensors have hit 6mph. It then reads from 6mph and above just like all the other speed sensors and does not jump around at all. It is very accurate until you go below 6mph, then it reads 0 while the others will go 5,4,3,2,1 to 0.

The mechanic wants almost $500 for the whole front hub assembly which I think is crazy. Someone said it may be a tone ring but another friend then said the sensor would read wrong all the time, not just below 6mph if it was the tone ring. They said I just need to replace the sensor. I have no check engine lights or computer codes either so the computer thinks the sensor is ok I guess.

Any ideas where I should start with this one? I can't get a straight answer as to if I should just replace the sensor or everything down there.

Thanks for any advice,

~Ben

 

[derekj]

The sensor is mounted in the front hub assembly. I have seen rust build up under the sensor that will push the sensor up and increase the gap between the sensor and the tone ring. This will cause the abs to see that wheel cut out below 6 mph because the gap is too large and the sensor cant pick up the ring. You can try removing the sensor and cleaning the surface then reinstall the sensor but most of the time depending on how rusty the sensor is they don't like to come out in one piece.

Derek

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Just buy a new ABS wheel bearing/hub assembly and install it yourself...it'll have the new sensor in it already. The hard part is done already for you, you know which wheel is causing the issue.

 

[Jspafford]

Try RockAuto of Ebay for a lower price.

 

[LearjetMinako]

I had a similar problem before on my 96 Ranger (w/ RABS). But it did turn on the ABS light. Turned out to be the axle ABS sensor gone bad. So for yours, it will most likely be that one sensor you found acting up below 6 mph to be the problem

 

[ben416]

Thanks for the suggestions. I am gonna put it on a lift tomorrow. I got a friend who runs a repair shop for imported cars and he said he could have the part right over for a lot less than list price if we needed it. He said about $300 which I suppose isn't too bad since I'm not paying shipping. I'm quite sure he said it was the OEM part. There was a cheaper $200 Japanese model that I decided probably wouldn't be the best idea. I'll know more tomorrow morning once its on the lift. Maybe if I'm lucky it will be something stupid but from the sounds of it I'll probably be getting a new hub assembly.

 

[Jspafford]

That is still wayyy too much

$60 on Ebay! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/FRON...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

 

[Original_Ranger84]

I'm pretty sure you can still pick up just an ABS sensor and install it. Atleast you can on the PVH bearings

 

[naford]

I had both hubs replaced on my 02. I think they charged me 350 for the hubs and then more for the troubleshooting and the labor to install.

 

[AaronC47]

ABS Issues ?

For that kind of money with no real guarantee thats the issue, I would go to a wreckin yard and find a sensor and stuff it in my pocket,,, I call them "Pocket Part wreckin yards", install the used one and see if that takes care of it, and the cost is alot less than what they are quoting you.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

So you're telling him to go steal the part? That's an awesome way to go about things!

 

[ben416]

Well after the hub came off it seemed like it would be easier to replace than fix due to some rust. It works great with the new hub. Breaks are nice and solid. Thanks for the all the information.

Now I just gotta do an alignment and some rust protection.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Right on, glad you got it sorted out!

 

[adsm08]

For that kind of money with no real guarantee thats the issue, I would go to a wreckin yard and find a sensor and stuff it in my pocket,,, I call them "Pocket Part wreckin yards", install the used one and see if that takes care of it, and the cost is alot less than what they are quoting you.

I would like to point out that the suggestion of ANY illegal activity, be it petty theft right on up to the all-forbidden discussion of gutting cats on a street truck is against forum rules.


Also, in my experience, once you get the sensor out of the hub, it's pretty much shot. The plastic cap over the pickup coil likes to stay in the hub. That has a negative impact on sensor function.

 

[brock71]

Replace front ABS wheel sensor

I have the same problem with my 01 Ranger. I had a quick look without disassembling anything. Looks like I have to remove the brake rotor to get at the wheel speed sensor. Is that correct or can I really get at it by just removing the wheel?
If it's easy to get at I wil do it one evening after work before it gets cold here.
John