abs light

[mcm8327]

Well I'm a fairly new owner of an 03 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0 and it has the abs light on. The previous owner had recently changed the drivers side front wheel bearing. What I was told was the light came on when the wheel bearing got noisy and he thought it would be fixed with the replacement wheel bearing. However it is still lit. I have read about all the posts on abs issues here but have not found the answer to my questions.

My light stays on constant (no blinks) when the truck is started, other people say their light blinks, do we know what the differnce is?

Is it necessary to reset something after changing the wheel bearing? Is it possible the computer just has not recognized the new sensor?

How do I read the abs codes. I have heard auto zone's scanners won't read it, but others have reported getting their codes read. Which scanners, or which businesses have scanners that can read our abs codes?

My cruise and 4x4 work without issues, does that mean the abs problem is related to the front sensors and not the rear or the sensor on the master cylinder?

Thanks

 

[EXPLORER04]

you can try disconnecting the battery to reset the memory. You need a special abs scantool to read the codes. Most auto stores dont have them and you have to go back to the dealer. You can also look to make sure that the sensor is installed correctly on the new bearing.

 

[Curtis]

My cruise and 4x4 work without issues, does that mean the abs problem is related to the front sensors and not the rear or the sensor on the master cylinder?

Thanks

Its not the one on the master cylinder because that will cause your cruise to not to work. Sounds like you've done some homework cause ABS/Cruise not working is what I just fixed with the one on the master cylinder.

 

[mcm8327]

Is it possible to check the sensor without removing the wheel bearing or hub? I havent been able to find a picture of one. On my past vehicles it has been pretty obvious where the sensor is and where it read off of a toothed ring on the half shaft. On the explorer I can only see where the wire disappears into the hub.

 

[jrford]

I found a pic, looks like its part of the front bearing.
Search ebay for 02 03 04 05 Explorer Aviator Frt Hub Wheel Bearing NEW
Shows the wired going into the hub, looks like its part of it.
that would suck.

 

[EXPLORER04]

the sensor is integrated into the bearing and you should be able to check it inside the wheelwell. Make sure you try disconnecting the battery to try reseting it.

 

[mcm8327]

I will try resetting it this evening and let you know what happens. When you talk about checking the sensor, do you mean checking it for resistance with my ohm meter? Or checking that something is physically present, if so what, all that are visible to me are the wires.

 

[EXPLORER04]

according to the manual the sensor is right behind the bearing. It does not say anything about measuring resistance. Also, do your brakes feel any different?

 

[mcm8327]

The picture jrford found shows it pretty well, the wire just disappears into the hub assembly. Not sure what to check there.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33729&viewitem=&item=190227942312

I can't comment as to the feel of the brakes since the light has been lit since I bought it, however it stops without any problem and the brakes feel as I would expect them to feel.

 

[jrford]

With mine, my ABS light was a constant on. Well after it went on/off for 1-2 weeks, it finally came on and stayed on. I was still under warranty so they hooked it up and determined REAR sensor. After following this forum there has been a few who fixed it with the REAR sensor. If i remember right someone said it wasn't to expensive and it sounded cheaper than have the dealer run codes. That’s your best bet rather than throwing money at it, but to each his own.

It sounds like that the original owner may have pulled a code for the Front sensor, but they could also just throw a part at and billed him. Outside chance - Did They Hook the wire backup, i'd check that if you haven’t.

Note i have the AWD so no 4x4 and no RSC (which hooks up the 4x4 and ABS and Engine to prevent rollovers, that might be the difference with the lights on/flash etc.

 

[mcm8327]

jrford, on yours did the cruise control work with the rear sensor out? The previous owner of mine changed the wheel bearing because the bearing had failed, he said the light had initially came on when the bearing started making a grinding noise. So most likely my problem lies in the front drivers side, but I wanted to see if I could find out for sure before tearing into it.

 

[jrford]

Yes i think it did, it was 2 years ago, we where on a trip, little hard to remember. Sounds like its related, that front bearing looks like its a chore, I'd take it to the dealer for a diagnostic before i tore the front end apart IMHO. They should only charge for a 1/2 hour to do(its 10min tops to hook up a scanner), so $45 to get the code and tell you whats broke.

 

[rrgone]

I found a pretty good description of how the ABS wheel sensors work and how to clean them at the advance auto site: http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/asp/ccr/ccr20030701as.asp

From the description of how they work I don't see how you could test them without a O-scope (or expensive Ford diagnostic tools). Assuming the previous owner was not full of it, I would suggest starting with the sensor on the wheel where he changed the bearing. It's likely to be dirty or damaged. If you find it to look damaged in any way I would just replace it. If that doesn't solve your issue I would look at the one on the rear differential next.

An earlier poster said it's probably cheaper to replace than get diagnosed at the dealership. I bet you could change all three sensors for about what they would charge to diagnose which one was bad. Let us know what you find out.

 

[mcm8327]

Well I did the reset last night, and no luck. So I guess I'm on to replacing sensors. Is it possible to change just the sensors on the front? If so how? It looks like they are integrated into the hub and the hub/bearing assembly is over $150. I will try to get in touch with the previous owner to see if I can get the receipt for the replacement bearing, I should be able to replace that piece under warranty.

I see just the sensors on advanceauto.com but they are going for $50 and I can't seem to find the rear one. Is this a fair price? I may check with the dealership to see what it would cost to diagnose it and I will see which way is the better way to go.

 

[mcm8327]

I just came across my old post and noticed I had never posted what I did. I ended up taking it to the dealership and had them diagnose it. The solution was the rear sensor on the rear end. I went ahead and got the part from the dealer and installed it myself, took about 10 minutes.

 

[Curtis]

I just came across my old post and noticed I had never posted what I did. I ended up taking it to the dealership and had them diagnose it. The solution was the rear sensor on the rear end. I went ahead and got the part from the dealer and installed it myself, took about 10 minutes.

My light just came on.... well most times I start the truck.
I have replaced the sensor on the master cylinder about a year ago - that resolved it at that time. I knew it was that sensor as my cruse was not working.

This time, cruise works.

Whats the cost of the sensor on the rear end?
Special tools needed?

 

[mcm8327]

It has been awhile back, but I think around $40. No special tools, I think it has one 13mm bolt holding it in. I tried to buy one at O'Reilly's but they sold me one that had a different plug on it.

Coincidentally my cruise has quit now, (that's how I came across my old post). When your cruise quit did your green cruise indicator light up? Or do you know if there's a way to test the sensor on the master cylinder?

Thanks

 

[Curtis]

It has been awhile back, but I think around $40. No special tools, I think it has one 13mm bolt holding it in. I tried to buy one at O'Reilly's but they sold me one that had a different plug on it.

Coincidentally my cruise has quit now, (that's how I came across my old post). When your cruise quit did your green cruise indicator light up? Or do you know if there's a way to test the sensor on the master cylinder?

Thanks

At the time my cruise light would not light up. It just didnt work.
The sensor on the master cylinder is directly related to the cruise. Instead of using a brake switch to shut off the cruise, ford decided to use a pressure switch on the master cylinder.

Its a small sensor, kind a looks like a temperature sensor, has 2 wires on it I think.
The part was about $20
I put it on it 2 minutes.
Just be careful of the brake fluid as it will start to flow out a little when you remove the old one. You don't want that on your paint. Just be ready with the new one to re-install.

 

[mcm8327]

Yep changed my pressure switch sensor on the master cylinder today, $40 from dealer parts counter. That fixed my cruise and my intermittent abs light. So if your abs light is on solid even after restarting the vehicle I would change the rear sensor, if the abs light is on intermittently (seemed to come on after hard acceleration or braking) and cruise control won't come on I would change the sensor on the master cylinder.

 

[Curtis]

Posting here too for others to check on...
I just got a re-call notice for my 04 for this part. (sensor on master cylinder)
The letter said if I have replaced it already - I would get reimbursed .

I replaced it last year for about $20