ABS light on in morning, off in afternoon...

[FESCSteve]

I've had this 2000 2wd 4.0L Explorer Sport for two days now. I picked it up on Tuesday evening and drive it home (about 20 miles). All was well. Then the next morning, I start it and the ABS light comes on. I switch it off and start again and it's still on. I drive to work (35 miles highway) and when I get in a lunch and start it, the light is off and remains off all day. Drive back home. drive it to my parent's house, then home. All is well. Then again this morning, I start it and the ABS light is again on. Any bets if it will be off at lunch today?

Could it be a temperature related issue? I've not begun troublshooting the sensors yet, but have you ever heard of something like this happening? It did rain about 2 inches between tuesday evening and Wed morning. I suppose it could be related to the 2 miles of dirt roads I drive down in the evenings perhaps? Could one of the front wheel sensors be getting mucked up with mud and then cleaning itself on the highway drive to work?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

Steve

 

[timleedude]

I would try to read the computer to see if there is any codes for the ABS light coming on. It might point to a particular sensor (hopefully).. It might be one sensor that might be borderline working/not-working. And some dirt might make it bad. You might have to get access to the wheel sensors and check and clean them.. and do a test to see if they're bad. Hopefully someone can jump in and give you the procedure to test the ABS sensors. Good Luck.

-Tim

 

[kismatik]

I have had problem with the Abs light on my cobra. when we had that snow a few weeks ago it came on. the when it warmed up again (to 70 degrees gotta love oklahoma) it went off and hasent come back on since.

 

[joe doe]

the abs sensor that usually goes bad in these is the one located in the rear transfer case.it mounted up high on top the case...it will be the only thing in the case with a wire lead going to it .i just went thru this with mine .the part is under 20 bucks at the dealer.to check the front sensors get out your ohms meter and probe the wires coming off the front hubs....the sensors are in the hubs ...you should get a reading between 300-400 ohms......my new hub read at 399...and my old hub around 340-360 something.it is possible all that dirt could be messing up the sensor.i really doubt its temperature related.

 

[FESCSteve]

Yep - back off at lunch.

I'll crawl under it this weekend and ohm things out.

Thanks for the replies!

Steve