ABS light on?

[duke16]

Something weird happened to me last night. I turned on my engine and the ABS light stayed on. So I went and breaked really hard and shore enough, the truck just skidded. So I shut it off and turned it back on again and everything was back to normal, the anti lock breaks worked just fine. I just took the thing in for an oil change where they where supposed to check all the fluids. Is there any reason this happened, or was it just a fluke.

 

[Tech]

It could be that the service technician disturbed the ABS sensor located on top of the rear differential. That sensor failed on my '91 a few years ago. At first, the ABS light came on intermittantly, then finally stayed on. The part is fairly inexpensive (about $20.00) and easy to replace. I think it is held in place with one 13mm bolt.

Anyway, that's just a suggestion. Good luck!

 

[jimbo74]

could also be low fluid level....those oil places are a scam.... i would go and check it for piece of mind....

 

[PLRBEAR]

Also, if you've been in the mud recently, the sensors might just be dirty. Had that happen to my Maxima one winter, lost my ABS and it just had regular brakes. I brought it to a washing bay, sprayed at the hub area from behind the wheel and VOILA....problem solved.

 

[sirhk100]

While we're on the topic I have a '92 4wd Explorer. When I crank the ignition over the anit-lock rear light on the dash turns on and once running shuts off. I'm assuming this is normal. I'm running on 32" tires right now and if I get on the brakes hard like to avoid an accident or stop at a light that I at the last minute decided not to run (come on, I'm sure we've all done it!) the rear end locks up WAY before the front. Is there a way to test the rear ABS or could it be working fine and it's just the oversized tires that are causeing it to lock up. The brakes seem to function fine and the is still a lot of life on the brake pads in front and the shoes in the rear. The only thing is that the rear has a spring over without a modified E-Brake cable and when I engage the E-Brake peddle it only will push to the 1st click because it's already really stiff there. The tires do spin freely though off the ground so I know it's releasing not to mention I can get the drums off which wouldn't happen if it wasn't.
Thanks

 

[jimbo74]

it is supposed to come on for like 6 seconds after the car starts..... also...the rears locking up first, they lock up then release..then lock, then release.. this is how they were designed... listen to it it chirps...not just a solid squeal...

 

[PLRBEAR]

Yeah...like the sea-lions down at Pier 39 in San Francisco.....just a lot faster...hehe. That's if you really slam on it though....otherwise, it'll just be a pulsating pedal and lots of noise.

 

[ksaldibar]

duke16,
the same exact think happened to me one day. i notice the abs light was on when i was driving. i pulled over, shut of the engine, restarted it, and drove away with no problems. after i got home and let the engine cool down, i checked the fluid and it was fine. so far it hasn't happened again. i guess it was a one time thing.

-ken