Repeat RABS Issues

[C.Boyd]

Hey guys, new member here, hoping I might be able to get a little insight or some ideas on a problem I've been having. My truck is a '94 Ranger STX 4x4, 4.0L, MT, RABS, and it has somewhere in the area of 98,000 miles.

I've been chasing an ABS issue that just won't seem to go away permanently. When the ABS light first came on, I figured replacing the Speed sensor would be a good start. I replaced it, and it did absolutely nothing. The ABS light stayed on. I then decided since I needed a brake job on the truck anyway, to let my mechanic sort it all out.

After a full brake job and having to replace a rear wheel bearing they replaced my Speed sensor again. This time, the ABS light went out, but only for a week or so.

I took it back to the shop, they replaced the speed sensor again, and sure enough, the light went out again for a couple weeks. But now it's back on.

Does anyone have any clue as to what the deal is with this?

I'm not sure if it's related, but another issue I've been having on and off is my speedometer bugging out and flicking around - and sometimes being optimistic about my speed. (ie. indicating 10mph while rolling forward a couple feet in traffic)

Anyway, I know that was a lot to read, but I'd appreciate any knowledge the lad of Ranger experts may have.

Also - I'm going to take it to my shop again today to see if they can pull the codes for me as well.

 

[C.Boyd]

After a few days of tinkering and searching for obvious problems with no luck, I dropped it off at my mechanics shop to have them deal with it.

Looks like a lot of Ramen noodles in my future, because I'm sure this is going to cost a ton of money...

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Speedometer is not related. Its cable driven off the T case.

Could have a broken wire at the connector of the rear VSS. Could have a dammaged tone ring inside of the diff even.

My advice....remove the bulb and don't waste any more money on it. RABS is a useless POS anyway.

 

[tx3nc]

I disagree that it is useless. Misunderstood, yes.

One interesting little factoid about our trucks is that there is no proportioning valve between the front and rear brake systems. If the RABS system is working, why would you need one?\

C.Boyd, If your mechanic cannot find the problem, come back here and let us know. I can run through the troubleshooting guide for my '93 and see if that can fix it.

My money is on a bad wire or connection to the sensor in the rear end.