ABS light, Bleed Brakes, tried searching forum! HELP!

[Mjaga251]

Hey everyone,
It's been awhile since I've been on here, but, here I am!

My ABS light has been on for awhile now, and I figure now is the time to fix it. I'll probably be forced to sell the X this summer, and I don't want the ABS light to decrease the value at all. I tried the search function, but didn't really come up with any results that I needed.

I'll say what I know:
The ABS light comes on as soon as the car turns on.
I KNOW I have to bleed the brakes, could this be all that is needed?
The ABS is in fact not working, as when I slam on the brakes I just skid. (Almost got in an accident b/c of it!)

Can anyone help me out there? I really don't want to take it to a shop and pay all the money to get it fixed (or even just tested) if I can do it myself. Kind of low on money at the moment.

Thanks in advance to anyone and everyone!
-Mike

 

[trevell407]

Go to an auto parts store and have them read the code, its free.
Its probably the speed sensor/ abs sensor.
easy fix.
I think the part was $40 when I did it a couple years ago.

 

[TheJackal]

A special tool is used to bleed the ABS system. IIRC some people here have bled the ABS system themselves but I'm not sure what they did to do it, maybe search around a bit or see if someone who has done this butts in.

 

[NHale623]

When the ABS light illuminates, that means the ABS module has found a fault in the system and has disabled itself.

You can bleed those brakes until the cows come home. That will not fix the problem with your ABS.

I seriously doubt Autozone has the tools to read the codes, either.

If you want to know what is causing the ABS light to come on, your best bet is to go to a Ford dealer and have them read the codes for you.

In the meantime, you can remove and clean your ABS sensors. Check all the connectors as well. And check the fuse for the ABS module.

 

[Mjaga251]

OK thanks guys! I'll be doing this my first day off. Anyone else?

 

[Steeda90GT]

I just went through this problem myself. Bleeding will not fix the light. Autozone and other shops do NOT have the proper tools to read the ABS system.

If I were you I would change the rear speed sensor before anything else. It's a $10 part and 90% of the time this is what goes bad on our trucks (do a search to confirm)

If that still doesn't fix it then take it in for a $70 scan (after inspecting and cleaning all sensors/wiring first)

 

[tdapsr]

yeap. what he said. And you only need the bleeder tool for i think it's 96 and earlier. prolly a sensor. make sure your reluctor wheels are clean and straight and don't have any little stones stuck in them too.

 

[96eb96]

yeap. what he said. And you only need the bleeder tool for i think it's 96 and earlier. prolly a sensor. make sure your reluctor wheels are clean and straight and don't have any little stones stuck in them too.

www.obd-2.com

Great REAL scan tool, unbeatable price, if you take some time to learn it it can do almost as much as what the dealer has. Can read airbag and flashing 4X4 codes.

pwm+ iso (double combo) cable will read abs codes, its only like $140.

 

[Mjaga251]

Awesome everyone thanks!