01 XLT with ABS and stalling issues

[l3lackrosez26]

Hello,

I just joined this group and hopefully will be able to get some questions answered. My wife has a 2001 Explorer XLT with a little over 93K miles on it. It has the 4.0L V6 in it. This past winter, when she would go out to warm the truck up, she would come back out to find the truck stalled. I've watched it and what appears to be happening is when the A/C is running, the truck's idle progressively deteriorates until it stalls. The A/C compressor engages, and the RPMs drop further and further each time until it dies. If the vehicle is in drive, it runs fine. Also with the A/C off, it runs fine both in drive, or idleing in park. I have replaced the plugs in it, which it did need, but haven't done wires yet. I have the set, just haven't put them on because doing the plugs was a major chore in itself.

Next problem...When turning to the left with the brakes applied, the ABS kicks in. It doesn't seem to affect the stopping of the vehicle, but still bothersome and shouldn't be happening. She has said it's done it while going straight also, but I have yet to experience that. I'm thinking I have a bad sensor wire that is getting pulled when the wheels are turned and messing up the pulses going to the ABS controller and making it think a wheel is locking up. Not really sure how the ABS is set up on these things, but I know on my 96 Beretta, that was the culprit. I don't know if they have magnetic sensors that can get metal particles and what-not stuck to them to interfere with them or not.

Any insight anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated. Thanks and I look forward to hearing from folks.

Jerry
2002 Chevy Monte Carlo SS
2001 Ford Explorer XLT

 

[daffy]

Problem #1, search for "IAC valve", that'd be a culprit when it gets a little warm.

#2, you are correct, there is a sensor and a toothed wheel, you didn't mention whether you were 4x4 or not, but if you are, they are part of the hub assembly.

The wire runs up the knuckle, to the frame rail, forward and plugs up into a connector, just behind the front bumper, right beside the airbag sensor connector. (I can only speak from experience on the 4x4, but I'm sure the 4x2 is very similar.

In 4x4's in particular, that CAN be a warning sign that the bearing is shot (the sensor gets a little too close to the ring), but that's a long-shot in your case, as it generally eats the sensor.

FYI, there are 3 ABS sensors, 1 in each front wheel, 1 at the top/front of the rear differential.

Welcome to the site!

 

[l3lackrosez26]

Thanks for the reply! Yes, it is the 4X4 model. I'm assuming that the IAC valve is on the throttle body right by the throttle plate? Can they be cleaned or is it best to just replace it? Also, with the wires going to the ABS sensors on the front hubs, can just wire/sensor be replaced? I've seen where the wire plugs in under the front bumper, and where it goes into the hub assembly. but didn't really pay much attention to how it attached to the hub. Thanks again for the info.

Jerry

 

[dogfriend]

I don't know if you have the 4.0 SOHC engine or the 4.0 OHV engine, but I think its more likely to be the SOHC on a 2001. On the SOHC, the IAC valve is under the plastic cover on the intake manifold. On the OHV its on the driver's side of the intake manifold just downstream from the throttle body.

Another possibility for poor idling with the SOHC is leaking intake manifold o-rings (gaskets). This seems to be pretty common, in fact there was a field campaign fix (00M12) for early models with the SOHC. It seems to be worse when cold, goes away as the o-rings expand with heat.

On the hub/ABS sensor, the pickup sensor and wiring mount to the steering knuckle and is replaceable by itself - the ABS ring is built into the sealed hub unit and cannot be replaced separate from the hub.