ABS and CHECK ENGINE LIGHT

[rockyfly]

Hi there...new to the forum...have 95 XLT 4wd with 93K with these issues...

The ABS light will sometimes remain on after its initial test after starting. When it does, it usually remains on for entire trip (once or twice it has gone out after 20-30 minutes on the road). If it does not stay on after its initial test, it remains out the rest of the trip. Can feel no appreciable difference in braking feel or operation either way.

The CHECK ENGINE LIGHT will often, but not always, come on after 15-20 minutes of driving, then will often go out about 20 minutes after that. Took it to Autozone who tested it with the light illuminated and engine running, and was told no codes were present. Car runs fine, no noticeable performance change either way.

The two issues do not seem to be related...either or both lights can be on or out at any given time.

Any ideas before I have to take it to Ford for some (expensive) troubleshooting?

 

[rhauf]

there ABS system probably has air in it, (needs to be bled) this will bring on the ABS light.. unfortunately you need a special machine to bleed ABS systems. (it has to cycle the abs while bleeding) so a shop needs to do this for you (i dont ever recommend stealership's for service, btw.. just find a local mechanic who seems honest)

i suspect autozone messed up when they scanned the check engine light.. have someone else scan it for you and it should come up with a code. you don't have to scan it while the light is on or anything (it'll store the code until battery is disconnected, or EEC unit is reset)

BTW, what engine do you have? that info sometimes helps for this sort of thing.

 

[rockyfly]

Thanks for the prompt reply and the advice...

Will visit someone else for a second opinion on the code issue, and ask about brake bleeding (had some brake work done, but about 20K miles ago).

The engine is the standard 6 cyl (4 ltr?), the only one available that year, which actually has done pretty good considering the weight of the vehicle. Wish is was an 8, understand they have been pretty good and could have used the extra power (anyway, I've always heard a man can't own too many V-8 engines...).

Thanks again...

 

[rhauf]

Well let us know what you find out

you're engine then must be a 4.0 OHV, that's a great engine my 4.0 has 225k on it and runs strong, i even tow a 18' trailer with it on a regular basis. with the prices of gas today, i'd take a v6 to a v8 in my daily driver hands down.... the v8 explorers aren't "fast" by any means, anyhow. that said, i have a scout with a built v8, and two broncos with v8's (one's a 450hp 408 stroker), yet i drive the explorer daily as it's the most practical and fuel efficient.

BTW you're transmission is an A4LD. They're a decent trans *if* you run them with a trans cooler... without the cooler they run hot and have a short lifespan. if you need to replace it (rebuilt ones go online for around $800) be sure to add a good transmission cooler if you don't have one already (i mean an external one, not the one built into the radiator)