ABS Problem

[mydland89]

Either you love them or hate them...

When I am driving my 1999 ex, and slow down making a LEFT turn (like into a parking spot) my ABS goes on...WTF??? It doesn't happen on a right turn or when going faster like turning a corner at 55mph...only when going slow....any thoughts?

 

[shaggsta]

Could be the control module or proportioning valve (if it has one) could be contaminated.

 

[mydland89]

possible problem

Okay here is a two sided entry,

I have noticed lately that since I have changed front brakes, I have been getting a significant, amount of brake dust (black dust) on the outside of my nice alloy rims. it builds up very quickly and will cover the entire rim in a matter of a week....why is this? I put the mid-grade level brakes on from Car-Quest did it myself (first time) but everything seemed to go smoothly, is it possible that I installed them wrong. I mean the brakes work fine.

2) I was thinking about the ABS thing, and it occured to me that it is possible that the wheel speed sensor is gooped up with brake dust and being a magnet it might not work as well as it should and maybe this is the cause of the problem with the ABS, bear in mind that I have NO ABS light on, and NO BRAKE light on, which leads me to believe that there is no problem with the control module. If I need to clean the sensor what should I use as a cleaning agent?


thanks in advance
Murph

 

[Howard]

I would agree with your diagnosis that the problem lies with a wheel sensor and not with the module. Just had a similar experience. As both front sensors are the same just get one new one and swap one at a time. It could be a break in the wire giving a poor signal so the system thinks one wheel has stopped. As for brake dust all you can do is get better pads.

 

[mydland89]

Since the problem only lies within the left or drivers side wheel. I would suspect that the sensor that needs attention is on that side as well.....I will check that out thanks

 

[GSEREP1]

Did you get your car repaired after changing the sensors?
Thanks
GSEREP1

 

[Al Rapp]

You have to be careful with the sensors when doing a brake job. You may have hit it & sent it out of whack. Clean up the mess with the excessive brake dust; it won't cost you a thing; then see if the sensor acts the same. Something may be sticking with that side to cause the extra dust.

 

[GSEREP1]

Drivers Side Sensor Definitely Contacted The Rotor

In my case, the new rotor on the drivers' side left a large groove in the sensor, so I guess I should replace that sensor, although I am not sure if it is working or not without a test. I am also having the entire system flushed to clean it out.

After all of this is done, I expect that my car will work as it always has. The old rotors were fine, and in retrospect, I should have just turned them again and reused. But nearly 8 years on a set of rotors is a lot. The mild California weather with no snow allows brake parts to last long without corrosion.

I'll enclose a picture of my beast in my next message.

GSEREP1

 

[GSEREP1]

Fixed My Abs Light Problem

FINALLY!!!
I have an answer to the problem with my 97 Explorer XLT 5.0. The problem was...DEFECTIVE BRAKE ROTORS!! I can't believe it, but it was running fine until I changed those Pep Boys Specials.

I bought these things last week, and as soon as I put them on, I got the brake light. I did not think that the rotors were the problem, so I checked further.

I had the brake fluid flushed yesterday..(which was a good thing anyway), but it did not solve the problem.

I bought a new left front sensor at Ford for $60.00 along with 2 new Ford rotors. My rationale was that I would change the rotors first, and then finally the sensor. I began to think more and more about the rotors.

Today, I changed the rotors, and I could see the problem right away. The ring inside was too far away to create a signal for the ABS system. The ring on both Pep Boys rotors looked like they were mounted too far back to actually do anything.

I changed the rotors out, and used the old sensor. EVERYTHING worked fine just like it has for nearly 8 years.

WORD TO THE WISE....DO NOT USE PEP BOYS AFTERMARKET ROTORS. You run the risk of either contacting a sensor, or have the ring too far away to do any good. I learned my lesson, and will only use Ford rotors from now on.

PROBLEM SOLVED!!!