Causes for ABS light???

[atomicjoe23]

What could cause the ABS light to illuminate in my '99 Ranger (4.0 V6/manual tranny/4WD/extended cab) besides low brake fluid?

Came on all the sudden the other day. . .brakes seem fine, no pulsating, no lack of brake feel or power, no pulling, etc.

Hooked the code reader up and no codes either. . .

Thanks!!!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Bad speed sensor probably. Doubt you'll get ABS codes with a generic code reader.

ABS light on means ABS = disabled, otherwise your brakes will work fine.

 

[srteach]

ABS codes are readable by blink. The light will blink X times, short rest, then blink x times. Put the number of blinks together and that is the code number. A 2 blink, rest then 6 blink (code 26) means a light is burned out. See if that helps.

To answer our question, about 500 different things could illuminate the light.

 

[atomicjoe23]

The light doesn't blink. . .it stays on solid. . .it stays on about half the time when I start the truck right now.

 

[AgPete139]

I thought the blinking method was only for OBDI vehicles. Are you referring to how many times the ABS blinks when you put the ignition "key on?"

But +1 on the sensor. If you brake quickly from 30mph on a closed street, does the ABS even work?

 

[atomicjoe23]

Haven't tried that yet. . .I braked quickly today from 65 MPH, without any problems. . .

 

[joecool85]

I have the same problem on my '00 that started maybe a week ago. I have cleaned the plugs for the front ABS sensors on the hubs and it didn't make a difference. Where are all the sensors and is there a way to test them or do I have to start just replacing them till the light goes off?

 

[AgPete139]

Joe, try using the search and see what other people did regarding the sensors.

It could also be a short somewhere.

 

[atomicjoe23]

Thanks. . .stomped on the brakes on the side street today and it seems no ABS. . .

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

^^^ there won't be while the light is illuminated.

 

[atomicjoe23]

Yeah. . .I was just double checking.

 

[joecool85]

Well, I did some searching around and found I should clean my connectors. I cleaned the connectors for both from sensors, then the connector under the truck in the frame rail, then the connector on the pumpkin for the rear sensor. No dice. Since the truck doesn't have any pulsating of the brakes while slowing down and turning (which I hear is normal when one of the front ones is going) I am thinking it is the rear sensor. Also, the rear sensor is the cheapest at $18 through Advance Auto. If it's not that one I may have Ford read the computer to track down what is wrong.

**edit**
Also, I checked the resistance on both front sensors and they are within 1% or so of each other so I doubt one of them is bad...I suppose they both could have gone at the same time but it seems unlikely.

 

[atomicjoe23]

What was the resistance reading on the front sensors. . .I'd like to compare mine to yours.

Thanks for the post. . .

 

[joecool85]

I don't remember now exactly, I want to say it was around 400 ohms. The biggest thing is making sure that both sensors are the same as each other. If the ABS was fine and now it's bunk, it's VERY unlikely BOTH sensors would go at the same time. So if they are basically the same as each other, it should be the rear sensor causing the issue. If they are different from each other, go to a dealer and get the codes read for the ABS. Mine said that would cost $85, but the sensor for the front is $180 so it's worth it.

 

[joecool85]

Ok, ended up being my ABS speed sensor on the rear axle. $15 from Advance Auto and I'm good to go.

That said, people need to stop referring to it as the VSS (vehicle speed sensor) because it confused the heck out of me. It's the ABS Speed Sensor, the VSS is on the transmission and is a different part. THAT is why the speedo will keep working even when the sensor on the axle is bad.