Dead Speedo & ABS not working

[Skydmark1]

Hi guys, I did some searching and found a few answers but not quite what I was looking for.

I have a 98 Explorer Sport 4X4 Auto that I'm trying DESPERATELY to sell. The ABS light has been on and the ABS would act up so I pulled the main fuse. The rear wheel speed sensor shows proper resistance so I think one of the front sensors is the culprit.

But, last time I started the Ex and drove it up the hill the speedo didn't work at all First question is, would this have anything to do with pulling the ABS fuse. But more importantly would it be from a bad wheel speed sensor? The only thing I don't understand is the ABS went first....then a while later the speedo stopped working. What gives? Yes I checked fuse #25

Please let me know so I can fix it and hopefully sell it!!!

 

[cjones101812]

check the codes...

we're only guessing without them.

 

[Skydmark1]

I'd love to.....but I have no way of checking the codes

I can't drive it anywhere because it's not registered or inspected, and I don't have...nor do I know anyone with a code scanner. Guess I'm kinda screwed here.

 

[MINERALGSVT]

I have a 98 Sport also and I'm currently fighting the ABS false activation, so I pulled the fuse. My speedo quit working immediately, so my guess is that the ABS wheel speed sensors are where the speedo gets it's reading.

Good Luck

 

[rwenzing]

The raw vehicle speed pulse on a 98 comes from the ABS sensor on top of the rear diff, not the front wheel ABS sensors. Pulling the ABS fuse kills the speedometer because the corrected VSS (used by the speedo) is an output of the 4WABS Module.

 

[MINERALGSVT]

The raw vehicle speed pulse on a 98 comes from the ABS sensor on top of the rear diff, not the front wheel ABS sensors. Pulling the ABS fuse kills the speedometer because the corrected VSS (used by the speedo) is an output of the 4WABS Module.

Good info there! Thanks

 

[Skydmark1]

The raw vehicle speed pulse on a 98 comes from the ABS sensor on top of the rear diff, not the front wheel ABS sensors. Pulling the ABS fuse kills the speedometer because the corrected VSS (used by the speedo) is an output of the 4WABS Module.

Hmmm, Ok thanks for the info. I checked the resistance on the rear sensor and it was within tolerance so I had ruled it out, but seems it's not too expensive maybe I'll try replacing it anyway. Thanks!

 

[rwenzing]

Hmmm, Ok thanks for the info. I checked the resistance on the rear sensor and it was within tolerance so I had ruled it out, but seems it's not too expensive maybe I'll try replacing it anyway. Thanks!

But I believe you said that the ABS fuse is still removed - that in itself will cause the speedometer to not work. Nothing in my post says that the ABS problem or the inop speedometer is due to a problem with the ABS sensor on the diff.

If you knew what trouble code is stored in the 4WABS Module, that would give you a better direction to go with your troubleshooting.

 

[Hokie]

Hmmm, Ok thanks for the info. I checked the resistance on the rear sensor and it was within tolerance so I had ruled it out, but seems it's not too expensive maybe I'll try replacing it anyway. Thanks!

For free, pull the rear sensor and make sure it's clean. If there is the slightest amount of metal on it, it'll throw off the reading (its a mag pick up sensor).

If there are metal shavings on it, then you need to drain your rear diff and see what's causing it (ie: bad bearing)

 

[Skydmark1]

But I believe you said that the ABS fuse is still removed - that in itself will cause the speedometer to not work. Nothing in my post says that the ABS problem or the inop speedometer is due to a problem with the ABS sensor on the diff.

If you knew what trouble code is stored in the 4WABS Module, that would give you a better direction to go with your troubleshooting.

Yes the fuse is still removed and that is probably why my speedo doesn't work. I'm gonna try that maybe tonight. But the pulsing ABS problem it sounds could be my rear sensor....and for $16 maybe I"ll just replace to rule it out.