ABS randomly kicking in

[GFsRide]

Good Day!

So my current Girlfriend has the Explorer in question. its a 2013 Limited. Now she had some issues and took it to a mechanic in which he replaced for my understanding to be the steering column. Ever since he did this her ABS kicks in randomly while driving, no braking require. though it will kick in when braking as well. From my experience being in the vehicle it happens more frequent when turning. I wasn't around when she had this done. Shes just been living with it... lol

She did bring it back to the Mechanic the next day after having the issues and he said he couldn't clear the codes.

I am not a mechanic by any means, but an Electrician by trade. And everything screams wiring issue to me. Was looking for some input from anyone knowledgeable on the subject, or at least have some areas I can check prior to getting myself deep into it. Or a hint on which wires im looking for before looking up the schematics which I will probably do later anyways..

 

[peterk9]

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't know what would be causing this issue but I've read several posts on Traction Control and ABS warnings coming on due an issue with the wheel sensors.

Peter

 

[GFsRide]

Welcome to the Forum.
I don't know what would be causing this issue but I've read several posts on Traction Control and ABS warnings coming on due an issue with the wheel sensors.

Peter

thanks Peter!

Yes I read some on the wheel sensor issues. I just found it quite odd replacing the column and in turn having that issue. I didn’t see any correlation with the steering column and possible tire sensor though and maybe that wiring is also part of that harness?

 

[peterk9]

Not sure if this is of any help. TSB and Wiring Diagrams Database - BBB Industries- Premium Alternators, Starters, Power Steering Products and Turbochargers

Peter

 

[boominXplorer]

Any road noise? A bad wheel bearing can cause this

 

[KayGee]

I just found it quite odd replacing the column and in turn having that issue. I didn’t see any correlation with the steering column and possible tire sensor though and maybe that wiring is also part of that harness?

You do realize that there are a multitude of sensor outputs that travel through the canbus to bcm/pcm/rsc/other modules. A bad contact or problem anywhere can cause systems to do some strange stuff.

I would venture a guess that a connector/s may have been damaged or not connected during the repair, or something else was done improperly or was damaged during the repair. Perhaps the steering position sensor is sending bad data to the rsc and abs modules (especially if it happens more frequently when turning - vehicle may think it's rolling/sliding and fires abs to try and recover)?

Someone would have to start doing some troubleshooting to determine where the problem is, but I'd say starting with anything done during the column replacement would be a good starting point.

On a side note, what kind of mechanic did you go to that doesn't have the tools to clear codes? Maybe go somewhere else as steering is kind of a safety critical item on a vehicle.

 

[GFsRide]

Any road noise? A bad wheel bearing can cause this

no noise at all other then the ABS kicking in

 

[GFsRide]

You do realize that there are a multitude of sensor outputs that travel through the canbus to bcm/pcm/rsc/other modules. A bad contact or problem anywhere can cause systems to do some strange stuff.

I would venture a guess that a connector/s may have been damaged or not connected during the repair, or something else was done improperly or was damaged during the repair. Perhaps the steering position sensor is sending bad data to the rsc and abs modules (especially if it happens more frequently when turning - vehicle may think it's rolling/sliding and fires abs to try and recover)?

Someone would have to start doing some troubleshooting to determine where the problem is, but I'd say starting with anything done during the column replacement would be a good starting point.

On a side note, what kind of mechanic did you go to that doesn't have the tools to clear codes? Maybe go somewhere else as steering is kind of a safety critical item on a vehicle.

The mechanic was prior to us seeing each other. She just lives with the annoyance and I just can’t do that... drives me nuts! Lol
I do like the theory of the steering position sensor. I’ll have to get under there this weekend and check the connections in general...

 

[KayGee]

It was hard to tell, but I guessed it was a recent repair. Anyway, what was the reason for the column replacement? It's not a terribly common repair. I've never had one done or known anyone that has either.

 

[Skidoo2018]

It was hard to tell, but I guessed it was a recent repair. Anyway, what was the reason for the column replacement? It's not a terribly common repair. I've never had one done or known anyone that has either.

Hey, just wanted to chime in. I have been battling this exact issue for 2 years. Been through 3 Ford ships and a precision shop as well as my own mechanics. Cannot figure it out. My wife drives with what feels like the front left ABS kicking in at random times, but reliably on one particular right hand exit ramp curve. So far, my mechanics replaced 4 sensors and 4 tone rings on all 4 wheels. Ford replaced ABS pump and module, steering column (steering position and related sensors means a lot to traction conttol), PUV? which is the explorer version of a transfer case(another common explorer issue), and most recently a rear differential. Thinking that the magnet in the limited slip is weak or faulty. Anyway, nearly 10k into a 2013 worth about 8k. And, endless frustration. I will be disconnecting the ABS fuse and the TCM. Hopefully she can run the car without these items powered. Hopefully problem disappears. Multiple laptops connected and scanned including Ford programming. Still no answers. This was the first post I have read where someone had the exact same problem. Not something any of the Ford specialists had ever seen before. Anyone with some ideas?

 

[boominXplorer]

I've seen alot of issues with air bag lights in the 11+ explorer and most of the time its resistance in a bulk connectior causing the issue. Most of the time its fixed with a simple unplug and replug. The same thing could be happening to you but for a wheel speed sensor. I'd consider unplug / replugging in any connection between the abs module and wheel speed sensors.

 

[dkean]

Can't codes be cleared by disconnecting the battery for 15 minutes ?

 

[Sstone389]

2013 limited explorer. Same issue. ABS randomly kicks-in and happens more frequently when turning (this is eatingup my brakes and tires). Been to 3 Ford dealers and 3 general mechanics. None can figure out the issue. I disconnected the ABS fuse and the problem stops happening, but I can't use the Cruise Control - which is a dealer breaker for this being a permanent solution. Has anyone found a solution?

 

[peterk9]

2013 limited explorer. Same issue. ABS randomly kicks-in and happens more frequently when turning (this is eatingup my brakes and tires). Been to 3 Ford dealers and 3 general mechanics. None can figure out the issue. I disconnected the ABS fuse and the problem stops happening, but I can't use the Cruise Control - which is a dealer breaker for this being a permanent solution. Has anyone found a solution?

Welcome to the Forum.
"The driver may sense that something is wrong if the ABS activates when the weather and road conditions are normal. Abnormal ABS activation typically occurs at lower vehicle speeds (3 to 18 mph) and is normally related to just one possible cause—the wheel speed sensors and their related components."

what would cause the ABS to randomly kick in - Google Search

Peter

 

[Sstone389]

"The driver may sense that something is wrong if the ABS activates when the weather and road conditions are normal. Abnormal ABS activation typically occurs at lower vehicle speeds (3 to 18 mph) and is normally related to just one possible cause—the wheel speed sensors and their related components."

what would cause the ABS to randomly kick in - Google Search

Peter

Wheel speed sensors were replaced and hubs replaced to see if that would correct the issue - it did not. According to all mechanics, the vehicle does not throw any codes.

 

[felipefandi90]

¡Buen día!

Entonces mi novia actual tiene el Explorer en cuestión. Es una limitada 2013. Ahora tuvo algunos problemas y lo llevó a un mecánico, quien reemplazó, según tengo entendido, la columna de dirección. Desde que hizo esto, su ABS se activa aleatoriamente mientras conduce, no es necesario frenar. aunque también se activará al frenar. Según mi experiencia estando en el vehículo sucede con más frecuencia al girar. Yo no estaba presente cuando hizo esto. Ella simplemente ha estado viviendo con eso... jajaja.

Ella lo llevó al mecánico al día siguiente después de tener los problemas y él dijo que no podía borrar los códigos.

No soy mecánico de ninguna manera, sino electricista de profesión. Y todo me indica un problema de cableado. Estaba buscando comentarios de alguien con conocimientos sobre el tema, o al menos tener algunas áreas que pueda verificar antes de profundizar en él. O una pista sobre qué cables estoy buscando antes de buscar los esquemas, que probablemente haré más adelante de todos modos.

Hola, yo estoy teniendo el mismo problema y mi historia se parece a la de su novia ; van seis meses y no he podido encontrar solución.

 

[peterk9]

Hello, I am having the same problem and my story is similar to that of your girlfriend; It's been six months and I haven't been able to find a solution.

Bienvenida al foro.
El miembro que citó fue visto aquí por última vez el 19 de diciembre de 2019, por lo que probablemente ya no esté aquí.
(translator used)
Peter

 

[mfdarchie11]

The mechanic was prior to us seeing each other. She just lives with the annoyance and I just can’t do that... drives me nuts! Lol
I do like the theory of the steering position sensor. I’ll have to get under there this weekend and check the connections in general...

Having this same exact issue with a 2013 Explorer limited. Two independent mechanics and an electronic diagnostic specialist haven’t been able to properly diagnose. Did you ever find a solution?

 

[mfdarchie11]

Estoy teniendo un problema similar. ¿Alguna vez encontraste la solución?

I am having a similar problem. Did you ever find the solution? Has anyone found a solution?