ABS light comes on while driving

[93EddieBauer]

I just noticed recently that my ABS light is coming on while I am driving. It only comes on every so often and then stays on. If I shut off the truck and then restart it, it's fine. It seems to do this when I have pumped the brakes a few times when going down the road but it might just be a coincidence. The truck is a 1993 4x4 with 4 wheel ABS. Please reply if you have any ideas.

 

[PunkChild]

Check the level of your brake fluid, if it gets low the light sometimes comes on.

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Jim Ferrarini
Skaman0182@yahoo.com
96 Sport 5-speed
JBA headers
Borla cat-back exhaust
modified airbox
K&N filter
+4 plugs
8.5mm wires
other small mods.
Coming soon:
K&N filter kit

 

[Gofast]

ABS time. Heres what I have learned this last week preparing for MOAB.

My ABS is also intermittant. I have replaced everything ( I mean everything ) on my brake system. New Master Cylinder, rotors, calipers, drums, wheel cylinders. I had the dealer bleed the system because the ABS system requires some special tool to bleed the brakes. It activates the pump in the HCU ( Hydralic Control Unit ) so yo can get the air out of the system. My light still comes on. The mecahnic said the codes point towards the HCU, " But don't worry about it " I was concerned at this point, but he said my brakes are fine. The HCU is like a thousand dollars, if you can live with the light then do it.

Keep in mind this is from the dealer. He verified that my brakes are good. True the ABS may not work but I'm not worried about that most cars don't have it anyway. Make sure that your car brakes evenly and doesn't pull badly and you should be fine.

Since this is a safty factor I would call your dealership and see what it cost to have it checked out.

Good Luck

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Rob Robertson
94 XLT 4X4 4 door
5.5" Superlift,RS9000s,Warn manual hubs,31 X 11.5's
"Take the road less traveled, surprise a Jeep"

 

[pacman]

I had this problem on my 97. It ended up being a bad seal on one of the wheels that leaked grease onto the wheel speed sensor. The dealer replaced the seal and sensor and its been fine since.

Pacman

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1997 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0L SOHC

[This message has been edited by pacman (edited 04-14-2000).]

 

[Turner55]

mine did that too, but it doesn't do it anymore. i can't remember if it quit after i replaced the shoes, pads, and rotors or after i reset the comp when i installed my cd player...one of those did it and i'm pretty sure it was after i replaced the brakes.

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'93 explorer sport 4x4

 

[Diff Whack Daddy]

Think about how abs works. When you first turn on the ignition, it test the sytem. Light on, then goes off. Once you start moving, it expects to see signals coming from the wheel sensors. If it is missing one, the light will come back on. The only way to check which sensor it is is to get the code read. After you cycle the ignition again, of course it stays out, until you move again and it looks for those signals.

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93XLT-5.5" Super Runner, Super Runner Steering, 1.5" Body lift,33x12.5,
Borla exhaust,KKM air filter, Warn HS9500i winch, Sony deck & 10 disk CD changer w/ 12" sub.

 

[Brett H]

I had the same problem. I had my dealer put in on the diagnostic machine, it had a bad sensor. $250. I unplugged my ABS. No more lights glaring at me.

 

[Big E]

About 5 or 6 months ago I had the same problem that you are all refering to. I had a good friend with the expensive test equiptment. He checked the code and it pointed to the RABS Hydraulic valve (Rear Anti-lock Break System). It is located on the drivers side frame rail, right infront of the fuel filter (about 1 or 2 feet). It cost about $250 for the part and about $100 in labor. But now I have no light on. When you ABS light comes on, you still have normal breaking. Just no ABS. I hope this helps.

Eric

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I would rather push a Ford than drive a Chevy!

[This message has been edited by Big E (edited 04-18-2000).]