ABS warning light goes on and off whenever it wants to

[iLoveMyExploder]

1993 exploder 4X4. I bought the truck a few days ago, I know nothing of its history.

ABS light goes on and off at random times.

ive read a few threads regarding this issue. but all the threads also concerned other issues that were related... such as when the ABS light was on, the cruise control wouldn't work. or the A/C wouldn't work...something like that.

my case seems to be different. when the light is on, the AC and cruise control still work. I didn't do too much fiddling around with it to see if all the other systems worked or not.

personally, this light being on does not bother me. but I live in texas, and the vehicle must pass inspection. the county I live in requires none of the dummy lights to be on, including the ABS. ...if I just pull the bulb out they will find out about it during the inspection, and it will fail...

any ideas? ...........thanks in advance for comments

 

[natenkiki2004]

Is the 1993 the year they put front ABS on too? Your ABS light says ABS and not RABS?

For RABS, there's a single wire connector at the bottom of the steering column, that can be grounded and the light will blink and give you the error code. For ABS, there's a diagnostic connector on the driver's side fender. I'm not sure how to use it yet since I just got a 1994 and have no repair manuals on it. I am sure though that those two places are where you need to look and pull the diagnostic code from the system, then you can replace whatever's needed.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

yes... according to the threads I have read, the 1991 & 1992 have only rear ABS, while the 1993 & 1994 have ABS on both the front and rear.
the threads said the rear has only one sensor, and each of the front wheels each have their own sensors... located inside the wheel hub or something. said that brake dust gets on them and makes the sensor "go blind" and makes the light come on, something about the brake dust causes the computer to detect a false failure and therefore makes the light come on.
I don't remember who said that (or where it can be found), but I think at least one other person agreed with it.

im going to have to find some place that can pull and read codes for this truck... autozone says they can only do it with 1996 year models and newer

 

[Gadget X]

Also, it could be your alternator failing. I had a similar experience a few weeks ago. The abs light would come on, and I noticed that the volt meter would "dip" around some. Turns out that the alternator was crapping out! Good luck with it!

 

[natenkiki2004]

Looks like on the Explorers with front ABS as well (your 1993), you need a code reader to hook in. Find a repair shop that has one. You can buy them on Amazon, like the Innova 3145.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

Also, it could be your alternator failing. I had a similar experience a few weeks ago. The abs light would come on, and I noticed that the volt meter would "dip" around some. Turns out that the alternator was crapping out! Good luck with it!

I think the alternator is ok... the volt meter stays within normal parameters. all the gauges do...

but I think I will check it out next time I go out and fire it up and see if theres any fluctuations

 

[funfool]

I have a similar issue on my 98 sport.
I just bought it, the abs light would come and go. I searched here for a issue the same and found none.

After driving it around for a week or so, the abs light decided to stay on all the time, and the left front pads started squeaking to give warning they are getting thin.

Also when turn the key on and look at all the dash warning lights, Is no "brake" light.
Only the "ABS" light.
I determined that it was my pads getting low and causing the abs light to come on.
When I change the pads and the light continues to stay on, then will look deeper at the issue.

Of course a actual scan reading the code would be ideal. Is just my humble opinion that the abs light is warning me is time for a brake job.

 

[Watchman]

Sorry if my comment here is not appropriate to your issue. I have a 1993 4WD Sport - and I have found this issue on other vehicles - but did you check the brake fluid level ? I found this can cause the ABS light to come on - even when it is only a spoonful low.

 

[Gadget X]

On my 94 the brake light will come on if the fluid is low, but not the abs light. Might be different on other models.

 

[FR-425]

The front wheel sensors are magnetic. Too much build up of metal flakes will cause a fault.

Start by pulling the wheels off and clean it up.

Also check that the tone ring is clean and not making contact with the sensor.

Bad wheel bearings can cause the sensor to get too close to, or even contact the sensor.

ABS codes and how to pull them. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258803

 

[natenkiki2004]

Thanks FR-425, I knew there had to be a way but couldn't find what that link.

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

Sorry if my comment here is not appropriate to your issue. I have a 1993 4WD Sport - and I have found this issue on other vehicles - but did you check the brake fluid level ? I found this can cause the ABS light to come on - even when it is only a spoonful low.

when i checked all the fluids, they were all where they are supposed to be, except the engine coolant. so I topped it off

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

Of course a actual scan reading the code would be ideal. Is just my humble opinion that the abs light is warning me is time for a brake job.

it stops on a dime. theres no screeching. no rattling... smooth and quiet and rides like its on a cloud. im pretty sure its got good brakes, but when I get a chance to take it somewhere to have the codes read, ill take a look at the brakes- among other things

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

Bad wheel bearings can cause the sensor to get too close to, or even contact the sensor.

ABS codes and how to pull them. http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258803

when the wheel bearings go bad, isn't that what makes a jungle bell rattling sound when you hit bumps and potholes? theres no rattling or noise at all. very smooth and quiet ride

 

[natenkiki2004]

Wheel bearings go bad and make a roaring sound that gets louder the faster you drive.

 

[larrydd999]

I purchased a code reader from one of the national parts houses for around $35 a couple of years ago. I've found it to be very useful. Of course I have 4 vehicles that can use it, so it's easy to justify. I can understand that if you have only one it not be. I just hated having to ground something then count blinking lights or some such.

 

[RangerX]

I'm having the intermittent abs light coming on too, on my 93 Ranger. Just started hearing an occasional light brake squeal telling me my brakes are worn. Maybe that's it, but I only have rear abs, I don't know how the system would read worn brakes on rear drums?
Also, for the record, mylight does say ABS, not RABS, and I only have rear abs. Rangers switched to full abs later than Exs, maybe 95 or 96.

 

[natenkiki2004]

RangerX, ground the lone single-wire connector at the base of the steering column for a second while the ABS light is on. It will read out the code to you. 9/10 it's the differential sensor on RABS.

 

[Rhett]

when the wheel bearings go bad, isn't that what makes a jungle bell rattling sound when you hit bumps and potholes? theres no rattling or noise at all. very smooth and quiet ride

That's more likely front sway bar bushing/bracket, or less likely, radius arm bushings making that noise.

Re: ABS. I have seen the front ABS sensors go bad, and I have also seen them get mis-aligned. They fit into a hole in the spindle and are a round silver canister. As I recall, there are two bolts holding the sensor housing into the spindle, and if they work loose the sensor will think the tone ring is not there and throw a code. Also the little bolts are notorious for rounding out.

Check the tone ring for missing teeth also. It is on the back side of the rotor.

Also I believe there is a sensor in the master cylinder and it can throw your ABS light if the fluid gets low OR if it simply sloshes around, such as going on a severe angle offroad. If someone knows the exact location of that sensor I'd like to know...

 

[iLoveMyExploder]

noted! ....thanks for sharing!