ABS and Brake Light

[rangerxlt_brett]

New to this forum, recently bought a 2000 Ford Ranger V6 3.0l 2WD and I have an ABS and Brake light on. I did some checking and there are no front axle speed sensors and I already replaced the VSS on the rear differential. When I start the truck, no lights are on but as soon as I step on the brake both lights come on. It's also throwing a P0500 code, any idea what i should do next?


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[RonD]

Welcome to TRS

2000 Ranger does use the VSS on rear axle for both ABS and speed
ABS module is connected directly to the VSS

Speedometer, Computer and Cruise need "corrected" speed signal, this is done by the GEM(generic electronics module)
So the VSS wires are spliced and connected to the GEM, it corrects for tire size then sends out that signal to Speedometer, Computer and Cruise

Is speedometer working?

If an automatic trans, is trans shifting normally?

ABS light and brake light can both be activated by low brake fluid sensor on Master cylinder, check that plug in, and of course brake fluid level

 

[rangerxlt_brett]

Welcome to TRS

2000 Ranger does use the VSS on rear axle for both ABS and speed
ABS module is connected directly to the VSS

Speedometer, Computer and Cruise need "corrected" speed signal, this is done by the GEM(generic electronics module)
So the VSS wires are spliced and connected to the GEM, it corrects for tire size then sends out that signal to Speedometer, Computer and Cruise

Is speedometer working?

If an automatic trans, is trans shifting normally?

ABS light and brake light can both be activated by low brake fluid sensor on Master cylinder, check that plug in, and of course brake fluid level

Speedo is still working and it is shifting properly (I had my coworker take it for a test drive who knows everything about cars, at least not when it comes to wiring). Brake fluid is just above the max line if that makes a difference, thanks for the tips!


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[RonD]

The fact speedo works, no jumping up or dropping of needle, and the transmission is shifting fine would mean the P0500 code was a glitch
Computer uses the VSS signal from GEM for shift points, and only the computer can set that code

Often the codes the computer doesn't use can also help
P0500 Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction
P0501 Vehicle Speed Sensor Range/Performance
P0502 Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input
P0503 Vehicle Speed Sensor Intermittent/Erratic/High

So the P500 is pretty generic, nothing specific you can point to, so could just be loose wire, or..........

Since ABS light is on as well there could be a problem with the ABS module, very rare occurrence, but since it is connected to the VSS wires it could have caused the P0500 if it shorted the VSS wires temporarily

ABS uses its own Code Set, and most standard code readers can't get them
They are B codes, start with B instead of P
Some auto parts stores do have higher end readers, so they may be able to read the ABS codes for you, and there will be codes if ABS light is on