ABS LIGHT HELP!

[mrmayhem]

The ABS light in my 99 XLS recently used to come on from a cold start, but after several minutes (and a restart of the engine), the light would go off. Now its on all the time... no matter what i try. I looked at the rear sensor on the axle, attempted to get a ohm reading but didn't get any reading at all. I removed the sensor.. cleaned it a bit and re-seated it. I also removed and cleaned the front wheel sensors. Using the chiltons manual.. i also checked the main abs module with the ohm-meter but the meter went crazy... so i am pretty sure the meter may be out of wack. (or i'm doing something wrong). I disconnected the battery for about a half hour hoping to 'reset' it... but nothing has worked so far. Has anyone had this problem.. and if so.. what else can i check... i'd rather not go to the dealer or brake shop if i can do it myself.

 

[jcarter]

You need to pull the trouble code in order to diagnose your problem. You may need to have a shop do that for you unless you have the diagnostic tool. I bought a nice little code reader from walmart,,,30 bucks but I'm not sure if there is a cheap one available for your model year.

 

[mrmayhem]

As far as the code reader goes... There is a separate one for the ABS right. The code is an alphanumeric. If so i will check in walmart.

 

[jcarter]

Under the hood you will find two plug-ins, one for the ECM (engine diagnostics) the other is for the ABS. My code reader from walmart extracts codes from both. I recommend you do a search here to find out if anyone has been able to find a code reader for your year of explorer. 91-94 is different from 95+ hope this helps

 

[mrmayhem]

Thanks... I pulled the rear sensor (RABS) from the differential housing and got no change from my Ohmeter. I decided to buy a new sensor from Ford... it cost a whopping 16 bucks and was told it is a common failure. I tested this one and got a reading on the ohmeter. I am gonna install it and post if that was the problem. Thanks.

 

[Rydin Dirtay]

just go to autozone, they will do it for you... ahh the wonders of being fat and lazy