98 UP - ABS light constantly illuminated on the dash

[twr7cx]

I have a 1998 UP Explorer XT and the orange ABS light is now remaining illuminated on the dash. I assume this means that there is a problem with the ABS.
This used to happen after I had been launching my boat in to the water at the beach (use the vehicle to launch off the sand instead of driving all the way to the boat ramp), after the vehicle got a bit wet it would illuminate the ABS light, but by the time I next used it after it had dried out it would be fine and no longer remain illuminated. Now it just stays illuminated.
Is there a way to get the codes from the vehicle to get an indication as to which component is failing the test?
On our Australian built Ford Falcons we just bridge two pins on the diagnostic connector and it will provide us with the codes by means of a flashing light on the dash.

Whilst working on the front brakes I pulled out the wheel sensor. Neither of the front ones look damaged at all. I rotated the hub and checked the tone wheels inside and no damage to them. I put a multimeter on each sensor and tested the resistance, and they were withing 0.01 Ohm of each other. (0.406 and 0.416).

 

[pfloydmaster]

Replace the rear speed sensor. It's located on top of the rear diff...cheap and easy to change.

 

[twr7cx]

Replace the rear speed sensor. It's located on top of the rear diff...cheap and easy to change.

Know of anywhere to purchase them from online from the USA? Generally in the past it has been far cheaper and easier for me to purchase spare parts from the USA and pay the high postage cost than to purchase here locally in Australia for two or three times the cost.

Is the speed sensor a common component to fail? Is it known to cause the ABS light to stay illuminated? Is the speed sensor for the ABS only and not for the speedometer?

 

[twr7cx]

Is there any method to test and confirm that it is the rear one and not one of the others?

 

[joe doe]

it is usually the one in the rear differential.theres only 1 there .been there done that.

 

[pfloydmaster]

Know of anywhere to purchase them from online from the USA? Generally in the past it has been far cheaper and easier for me to purchase spare parts from the USA and pay the high postage cost than to purchase here locally in Australia for two or three times the cost.

Is the speed sensor a common component to fail? Is it known to cause the ABS light to stay illuminated? Is the speed sensor for the ABS only and not for the speedometer?

Borg Warner Part # ABS111

http://www.amazon.com/Borg-Warner-A...ake=Ford|54&Year=1998|1998&newCar=1&carId=003

It does fail and does cause the ABS light to stay illuminated. Very easy to replace...unplug the old sensor,remove one bolt, remove and replace the sensor, install the bolt and re-plug. Takes about 5-10 minutes. No way to test it the I know of but it's the first component I would replace in the ABS system. Has no effect on the speedo.

 

[twr7cx]

I pulled the old one out today. It was pretty grotty, gave it a clean up using degreaser and then electrical contact cleaner. Cleaned the electrical terminals of the sensor and wiring loom - both of which looked to be clean already. Put it back together and no change.
I'll look to order a replacement.
I did find out that I am not the first person to remove it. The clips of the wiring harness plug had been snapped off, which I assume was done by someone not familiar with how to undo them.

 

[twr7cx]

Borg Warner Part # ABS111

http://www.amazon.com/Borg-Warner-A...ake=Ford|54&Year=1998|1998&newCar=1&carId=003

Thank you, I have ordered one. Even with $15.00 for international postage on a $14.92 item, it is far cheaper than purchasing locally.

 

[South.East.Beast]

Im having the same problem, my ABS light was on when I started up my suv this morning. To replace the speed sensor on the rear diff do i need to jack up the suv or do i just go from underneath the rear and undo it?

 

[twr7cx]

Im having the same problem, my ABS light was on when I started up my suv this morning. To replace the speed sensor on the rear diff do i need to jack up the suv or do i just go from underneath the rear and undo it?

Just slide under it. It is a single bolt and a single electrical connection.

I replaced mine and it did not solve the problem.

 

[1998Exp]

Replacing the rear ABS sensor may be worth a try, but there are dozens of possible failure modes in this system. The quickest and way is to read the trouble codes with an appropriate scanner (and it doesn't need to be the $5000 dealer's machine).

Just slide under it. It is a single bolt and a single electrical connection.

I replaced mine and it did not solve the problem.