ABS Module

[jimdogi]

I own a 03 Explorer with the 4.0 and have had excellent service to date but recently had the ABS light come on under normal driving conditions,It went back out within 30 miles.

Concerned that this is my wifes vehicle we took it in to our local dealer to have them check it out. Was told there were no codes, we could wait and see if it came back on, but mechanic recommended that the ABS module be reflashed. This just didn't sound right.

Appears this particular model may not be able to be reflashed.

http://www.etools.org/files/public/Ford_rep_Matrix_6-20-05.htm

Has new technology come about to allow the reflashing of this module since 6/20/05 or have I just been ripped for $150.00?

 

[CaptainObvious]

Explorers store the codes. It's there. It's a common problem. To my knowledge there is no fix.

 

[DeRocha]

Having the ABS yellow warning light come on is not the end of the world... It only indicates the 4x4 ABS computer has detected something wrong (generally a wheel speed sensor(s) sending out of spec signals) and has deactivated ABS braking... All this means is that the ABS computer will not pump the brakes during wheel lock up... Normal braking is not affected at all.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=152576

 

[grumpy]

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has conducted several studies trying to determine if cars equipped with ABS are involved in more or fewer fatal accidents. It turns out that in a 1996 study, vehicles equipped with ABS were overall no less likely to be involved in fatal accidents than vehicles without. The study actually stated that although cars with ABS were less likely to be involved in accidents fatal to the occupants of other cars, they are more likely to be involved in accidents fatal to the occupants of the ABS car, especially single-vehicle accidents