ABS intermitant failure

[theshadows]

Anybody know what might be causing my ABS to fail intermitantly? It usually passes the test when the engine is started and works fine until they are used. Then after they are used once (once in a while they will work 4 or 5 times) the ABS light comes on and the antilocks are not working. Usually after restarting the engine they will work again until they are used or sometimes it takes a day or two before they will reset and be usable again.

Thanks,

 

[BP_93explorer]

A bad sensor maybe? Mine is weird. If the vehicle is lifted of the ground and put back down, the ABS light will stay on for awhile. Lately, my ABS light comes on when its fairly cold out and I'm on the brakes with a fair amount of pressure. It goes off when I come to a full stop or let off the brake.

 

[trucku]

Had same issue and it was the sensor. Mine used to come on when I had to brake really hard and suddenly. It used to come on and stay on for a while, then go away.

 

[DeerSlayer]

I had the same problem. When I made a panic stop the ABS would work but the light would stay on and the ABS wouldn't work again until the car was restarted. I had my brakes tested and my rear drums were less than 2%. After the brakes were redone the problem has gone away. The brake shop also cleared the error codes in the computer, it had like 5-7 errors from the ABS System. One for each wheel sensor, the computer and some other random errors. I still think my sensors are getting dirty because randomly the ABS system wont pass the check at start up.

 

[theshadows]

I just had it inspected last month and there's lots of drum and pad life left in the rear. I had the front pads replaced. How do you clean the sensors and what do they look like?

 

[DeerSlayer]

Good question, I want to know too. Anyone?

 

[Lt.Jim]

I had a similar problem. After running for a while it would throw the abs light on and no abs. Replaced the sensors and still had the same issue. It turned out to be the relay. After 13yrs they get a little tired and don't want to work. I replaced all 6 relays under the hood just to be on the safe side.

 

[DeerSlayer]

Where are the relays under the hood? About how much are they apiece?

Thanks.

 

[Lt.Jim]

There is a large fuse box on the passenger side behind the airbox. There are two relays for the abs system. They were around $10each.

 

[jsetblue]

I had the same problem. When I made a panic stop the ABS would work but the light would stay on and the ABS wouldn't work again until the car was restarted. I had my brakes tested and my rear drums were less than 2%. After the brakes were redone the problem has gone away. The brake shop also cleared the error codes in the computer, it had like 5-7 errors from the ABS System. One for each wheel sensor, the computer and some other random errors. I still think my sensors are getting dirty because randomly the ABS system wont pass the check at start up.

I have a stock 93 4WD which had a similar problem, but it was self-inflicted by me. When I put new ball joints in, I let my caliper dangle and pulled the wires out of left front sensor (sensor has one small screw that holds it into the spindle, other than that it just presses in.) We put a new sensor on it to no avail. It seems the gearbox leak I had been putting off fixing for so long had slung brake fluid all over my abs relay valve (near base of steering shaft on 93's) and I had to get a used valve to replace it with. Everything is fine now. As far as cleaning the sensors, it is a magnetic pickup, so you shouldn't have to worry about it. Also, the way the work on semis, they have to be gapped correctly. I am not sure if my Explorer's the same, so I left it to the professionals. If you think you may have a problem with the relay, make damn sure you bleed it very thoroughly. Your light would never go off then. (Honestly that may have been my problem before my mechanic replaced the valve!!) The only time I have a problem now is when I drive thru a small creek where I hunt and my cruise/speedo/abs won't work til it dries out. If you keep having problems check the valve with all your lines coming out of it on the driver's side frame rail near the base of the steering column to make sure it is bled thoroughly. Good luck.

 

[Foxfire Ridge]

I've got the same problem as all of you. I'm going to trouble shoot with your suggestions. Thanks.

 

[Burns]

i hate the abs systems

 

[croak]

Just went through this with '93 2WD Exploder. Sometimes the light
would come on at start up and stay on. Sometimes it would come
on after driving it for a bit. Finally found a how-to on some site for
Broncos!!! Anyay, using a jumper on the ABS test connector and
counting light flashes it pointed me to the dynamic failure of the
front right sensor. There be dynamic (whilst you are moving, after
the static check) The static check is made on start up and looks
for ~ 1.9K ohms at the sensors.

The code-out said the right front was failing startup and the center
rear (mounted on top of the pumpkin) was failing dynamic. Changed
the right front and got rid of that code. 20 clams. Retested and the
rear code was still there. Changed the rear sensor. 50 clams!!!! Gotta
be the same sensor but probably has gold-platinum-Fordidium contacts
in it somewhere. That got rid of all the codes and the Exploder has been
fine sense. I ohmed the guys before disturbing them and they seemed
fine. Anyway, changing them did it.

I troubleshoot systems for a living and therefore believe in the Power
of Murphette, Murphey's wife. The chance that two of these things
go bad at the same time is, well, very possible! SHE makes that
type of stuff happen all the time to me!

When trying to find out info on your ABS for ~ '93, look up 4WABS, which
means 4 Wheel Anti----yadda, yadda. That is what Ford calls it.

I can't find what I did with the WEB page addy but it was a Bronco page
and the circuit diagram came from a Bronco and fit our '93 Exploder perfectly.

Give this one a shot also:

http://www1.autozone.com/servlet/Ui..._us/0900823d/80/0a/a4/89/0900823d800aa489.jsp

Since this is my second attempt ever to post on this site, if it doesn't
work either, I won't be trying again.

Croak

 

[uh60james]

Remove passenger side ABS fuse!