ABS light

[Erwin]

Hi guys,

After a search in this site, I obtain a lot of tips to start looking the problem of the ABS light on my 99 Explorer Sport (stayed on). When I was ready to start the "debugging" process... the light came off. I'm happy but I still don't know what was the problem. I suspect that it may be the rear disk pads. They are the originals and I already reach the 43K+ miles. I will check those on the weekend.

 

[babyhuey]

I had the same problem with my 99 Sport with the light staying on and then going off. But then it came back on and stayed on. Mine was the sensor located on top off the rear diff. A whopping 16.00 Canadian to fix. Hope this helps ...Jim

 

[Erwin]

Thanks for the tip. My brother has the equipment to request the computer code. I'll try that on the weekend. I also investigate the price for the part you mentioned. Here at Puerto Rico is $20.00 and is called the "ABS Speed Sensor" (located over the rear diff.).

I'll post later the results.

Tks!

 

[dec322]

Do you guys know where the ABS sensor is on the 94 model? Is it easy to replace??

 

[Erwin]

ABS Speed sensor location

In mine, Explorer 99, it's physically located over the rear diff. Not in the chasis. This is kind of a sensor that it's in direct contact with the diff. oil. It has a 3/8" bolt and it's very easy to access and replace. Be carefull not to overtight when reinstalling the new one.

 

[addkev]

This has me thinking...
(Not to get off subject here)
But Jefe has said and some other Ranger guys that the speedometer/odometer/tranny shift points all run off the computer(for 98+ years), which gets it's info from the ABS sensor. Jefe bought Superlift's Tru-Speed which ties into the ABS sensor to manipulate the signal for larger or smaller tires. What I am wondering is, are there different sensors for the x's with 15" rims and 16" rims? If so, for those of us that went from 235/75 tires to 31" tires, we could just get the sensor for the 16" tires and it would be close enough since the 16" rims run 255/70 tires.
Am I totally off basis here?
How does the factory differentiate between the 15" and 16" rims for the speedo/odo/tranny to be correct?

Makes sense to me.

 

[davjamison]

ABS sensor

Thanks very much for the tip! $12 for the ABS sensor at the top of the rear diffy, 15 minutes of time, and my ABS light is out!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rickpub]

Would the need to replace my ABS sensor explain the following...
About 3 day ago my ABS light came on (braking still fine). Then today my speedometer/odometer stopped working, all other gauges including tach still work and ABS light is still on..

 

[rickpub]

BTW, my X is a 98 4wd 4dr xlt

 

[Rhett]

Would the need to replace my ABS sensor explain the following...
About 3 day ago my ABS light came on (braking still fine). Then today my speedometer/odometer stopped working, all other gauges including tach still work and ABS light is still on..

Having the ABS light on won't affect your brakes--they will still work--you just won't have the anti-lock. (To me, no big deal since cars didn't have ABS for 80 years anyway).

Look at addkev's post above. He states that 98+ all have the speedometer/odometer tied to the ABS. I'd start with making sure you have clean brake fluid. Then start cleaning sensors. Then if that doesn't work you need to start looking at replacing ABS sensors. There are three of them, one at each front wheel and one on the rear differential.

 

[rickpub]

I believe I mis-stated my question though answer may be the same. I meant to ask if replacing my VSS, Vehicle Speed Sensor, may clear up the problem. I have see other posts which seem to indicate such but in my case the ABS light came on several days before the speed/od quit.

 

[Jefe]

How does the factory differentiate between the 15" and 16" rims for the speedo/odo/tranny to be correct?

They program the PCM differently depending on packages. From what ford told me when i went in search of someone to reprogram mine, they have about +/- 10% adjustment in the PCM.

 

[Jefe]

I believe I mis-stated my question though answer may be the same. I meant to ask if replacing my VSS, Vehicle Speed Sensor, may clear up the problem. I have see other posts which seem to indicate such but in my case the ABS light came on several days before the speed/od quit.

From my testing, the PCM can get VSS from any 1 of the 3 ABS sensors, so it would seem like you need to replace all three (or figure out why they arent working). I would start with the rear sensor though, as it is the cheapest.

EDIT: I just noticed you are a 98. I can't remember what year we decided that they switched to the combination ABS/VSS, but I'm thinking it wasn't till '99. And 98 still had a VSS sensor in the tailshaft/t-case area, although it is a hall sensor (like the ABS sensors) rather than geared.