ABS control module failed? Or could it be something else?

[vdavis25]

I recently posted this thread in the 2002-2005 explorer section and wondering if I should have posted it here. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=415368

Basically. I have a 05 explorer. 4.0 SOHC. About a month ago, we were moving. About 5 1/2 hours into the drive, I was pulling into a gas station and my car flashed check advanctrac and the light came on. It has been on steady, when I start the car, it tells me the advancetrac is off and to check it.

I took it to Ford to have them run the code for me, so I could find out what was up. I had read on here and online that it could be a number of things, from the instrument cluster, wheel sensors, abs sensors, and that I needed the code.

2 hours later, I get this long list from the tech ($4000 worth of things they think it needs), a lecture about my tire size and no real answer as to why the light is on. He said that the PCM is not communicating with the ABS module, they would not give me the list of codes they pulled either. I asked about a wheel sensor and he just said until I replace the ABS module they have no idea if anything else is wrong.

The abs light is NOT on. Has never come on. The tech told me due to the fact that I have 265 75 16s on, instead of what the car came with, it has killed my ABS module and I need a new one. Which will cost about $1600 for them to fix, whenever it comes back in stock, unless I find one off a donor rig. I told the tech the tires have been on my car for almost 2 years and he just shrugged and said it should have happened sooner than.

Ive been doing research and I cannot find anything that agrees that it was solely the tire size.

He also said there was something I could get, that would delete something so that I would not need to worry about this happening. Obviously he was not specific, just told me to google it. I am not sure if he means a programmer that would disable the abs/advancetrac system or what? They were actually a little rude about everything, and I got frustrated, so I am not feeling all that warm and fuzzy toward this dealer at the moment. They put intake gaskets and manifold gaskets on the list of things the car needs as well, which I have no idea where that is coming from and I know I will not be paying them the $900 they quoted me to change those out. Is there a "test" or some way I can see if it actually needs that? It has a glass pack on it.. and it runs fine.

Sorry this is a book! I just want to find out if there is anything I can do myself to test if the abs module really is dead or if I need to start saving up for a new one. Though they said if I put a OEM one on, it will just go bad again unless I put smaller tires on..

Thanks.

 

[rb142]

Everything this dealer/tech told you is utter BS. Sounds like they gave you the "go away, I don't want to deal with it" list. There is absolutely no way those tires (not even very big) could kill the module. Maybe some of those things need doing, but they aren't related to your complaint. They are listing thousands of dollars of work that won't fix your problem.

Find a decent independent mechanic to check out your Explorer and find out what is really wrong. Then go from there.

 

[vdavis25]

Everything this dealer/tech told you is utter BS. Sounds like they gave you the "go away, I don't want to deal with it" list. There is absolutely no way those tires (not even very big) could kill the module. Maybe some of those things need doing, but they aren't related to your complaint. They are listing thousands of dollars of work that won't fix your problem.

Find a decent independent mechanic to check out your Explorer and find out what is really wrong. Then go from there.

That is what we thought the minute they said what they said. I was lectured by 2 different guys in there on the tire size. When I asked why it just now happened, they shrugged it off and said it should have happened sooner. I really felt like they were annoyed with the 2 mods Ive done to it and decided I was a dumb girl :/

I am on the hunt for a good mechanic. We just moved here so I need to get some recommendations. I was thinking about getting a code reader that reads ABS stuff to see if I can pull anything up that way. I was also thinking I would swap out wheel sensors since they are not all that expensive to see if that changes anything. Ive been doing search after search on this and not finding much on what causes the module to fail but also NOT finding anything about anyone else having this same issue, which I would think, if it were the tires, I would have found something on it. Im not the only one that put oversize tires on my SUV, not on here or the numerous other forums that have come up in searches, with numerous other vehicle brands.

 

[rb142]

Let's go back to the original problem. You said you have a Check Advancetrac light, and no other symptoms. We need to be looking at the 4X4 control module, not the ABS system. There should be a code there that indicates what it thinks is the problem. It could be anything from missing a signal to a bad module. You need to know the actual code stored in there.

Using an inexpensive ELM 327 adapter with something like the Car Gauge Pro Andriod app will let you scan all of the modules (including ABS, 4X4, etc) for under about $20. Not the slickest app, but it is an inexpensive way to read codes from those extra modules that normal scanners won't touch. There are other options as well. (Forscan is one.)

It's probably something really simple. Get the code and start the diagnosis from there. I wouldn't change wheel sensors or anything in the ABS system. You would have an ABS light if there was a wheel sensor problem.

 

[vdavis25]

I just downloaded forscan yesterday and have a ELM327 adapter on the way with a bluetooth adapter for my laptop. So I will get it scanned asap and come back with the codes. I will also check all the fuses for the 4x4 system, I checked the ABS ones since they were saying that, though I wondered why my ABS light wasnt on if it was that. I had read wheel sensors can cause the Advancetrac light to come on, which is why I was looking at those as well.

Thank you! Ive searched the forum quite a bit and have not really found a lot to help with whats going on with mine and obviously the dealer sucked :/

 

[vdavis25]

Codes: C1991 Module Calibration Failure and C1998 which according to this: http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/staying-on-track/ is saying its showing because it was not calibrated..

So if it failed to calibrate, does that mean its needs replaced? And if it needs replaced, anyone have one? Or anything I should look for when looking for one?

The only other code it gave me was P1000 which this site says its just because testing was not completed? http://www.obd-codes.com/p1000

 

[rb142]

Hmmm. Now it makes more sense why the tech went after the ABS module path.

It appears that the only "calibratable" parameter in that ABS module is the tire size, which can be set with a dealer scan tool. It would be easy to declare the module dead from the code. Before that however, it may have somehow developed an issue because the current tire size doesn't match what is stored in the module. I would try resetting the tire size first and see if that resolved the problem before replacing the module (you will still have to set the value in the new module).

You might check whether Forscan can run that procedure. I know I have seen some threads on here about how to reprogram the tire size in the abs module -- do a search and see what method they offer.

The module can't be having too much trouble or you should have an ABS light. If you just clear the codes, do they come back? If you do need to replace the module, you could pick a used one up from a parts yard.

 

[vdavis25]

I tried clearing the codes with the Car Gauge Pro app and it said they cleared, but came back. It snowed last night, so I tested my brakes this morning taking kids to school and it seems like the ABS are working.. my brake pedal does that chattering thing when the car tries to slide during a quick stop on the slick road. Obviously the advance trac is not working since the computer keeps turning it off. 4 wheel drive works as well.

I took a break from trying to figure this out because everything I have researched does not match up to my issue. I found this: http://www.justanswer.com/ford/2wirk-2005-ford-explorer-advance-trac-notice.html but would think if it was a brake anything part, it would trigger the ABS light?

It seems all of my wheel speed sensors are working, according to the app, I was able to put gauges up for them while driving on my phone and they all show they are working. I am going to see what else I can check while driving with it. I have the FORscan program on my computer as well, so I imagine between the two scanning tools, I should be able to see what may not be working. Unless it was something that triggered a code, it got cleared when I got my tuner and tried reading codes and it just has not been triggered again? I don't know. Its frustrating.

I know this light popped on as I was hitting the brakes coming into a gas station. I clearly remember when it did it. Now I just have to figure out exactly what. I would think if my ABS module needed replacing, my ABS would not kick in on slick roads? I am going to have my husband double check it at some point today, to make sure it is the abs coming on. I found some modules on ebay actually, with 30 day guarantees on them. I just have to come to terms with having to go back to the dealer I am not fond of them.

Thanks for trying to troubleshoot this with me rb142. I appreciate all of your thoughts!

 

[rb142]

And it's the same code(s) that come back? I'm starting to wonder whether it is something like an intermittent wiring problem that is making some signal go away (such as when turning corners). It could be a problem with the module, but there's obviously not too much wrong with the module, since there are no abs codes and the abs works fine.

The tires are matched (all the same size), right?

If you can get another module cheaply enough (from a parts yard, etc.) you might try swapping it in, but i'm not really convinced the module is bad.

 

[vdavis25]

Yep, all tires match. They are due for rotation, but that's it. Same codes, the C1991 and C1998 which just say calibration failed. It's frustrating to not have anything definitive pop up. I was told that if I put a different module, I have to take it to the dealer to have it programmed to my car. I'm going to start looking on ebay again. And for a local junkyard to see if I can pull one. I need to find a wiring diagram so I can look for any bad spots.

 

[rb142]

Take a look at post 5 here:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=202712

It sounds like you just need to perform a module initialization sequence. You might see whether you can do this with forscan. If not, you may need to go to the dealer or an independent with an adequate scan tool. You probably don't need a new module though.

Quote:
"The IVD initialization sequence will have to be performed. The ABS module is programmed to know the difference between clearing one of the above codes, and when you are clearing any other code that might be stored in the ABS module. When one of these codes is cleared, it is replaced with a C1998 for “Module Calibration error.” As seen in the screen shot labeled “Calibration Failure.”

A C1998 is a code that does illuminate the Advance Trac light and will display “Check advance trac” on the message center. Let’s say a customer comes into your shop with an Advance Trac light on with a “check Advance Trac” message on the display. Your tech pulls a fault code C1440. This may be a simple, straight forward pressure transducer replacement. The job itself is very easy. However, when the tech clears the code, a C1998 replaces it and the light and warning message still remain.

If you do not have a scan tool capable of performing an IVD initialization process, like the OE Ford tool, then you will have to outsource the job. As you know, this can be a sticky situation to be in. To answer this need, you’ll find that alternative scan tool makers are stepping up and adding this function to their tool (See IVD on AE)."

 

[vdavis25]

Im going to call around, because according to the dealer I went to, they tried that and it would not work. But after they gave me their list of things they think it needs, like intake manifold gaskets and just saying the module was dead, I don't really think I believe them lol