problem with ABS system (Brakes)

[methodairmadnes]

I have a 1994 Ford Explorer that has a 6 inch superlift with 33 inch tires. My problem is that my brakes arent working. I have brand new front brakes. I tried bleeding the brakes and it still did not work. Im confused, someone help me out here please. email me if you have the answer. methodairmadness@hotmail.com

 

[methodairmadnes]

someone help me out.....

 

[DeRocha]

what exactly is the problem?

 

[methodairmadnes]

my brakes arent working

does my ABS have anything to do with it? How do i get my brakes to work again. could it be my ABS system fuse. oh also where i put my brake fluid at the fluid lines run into this motor looking thing before it runs to my brakes. Could that be the problem I dont know. someone help...

 

[DeRocha]

does my ABS have anything to do with it? How do i get my brakes to work again. could it be my ABS system fuse. oh also where i put my brake fluid at the fluid lines run into this motor looking thing before it runs to my brakes. Could that be the problem I dont know. someone help...

Well there is a lot of information missing from your description... Your ABS will only pulse the brakes if it detects a wheel slip condition...Are you getting this pulsing? If not then ABS has nothing to do with your problem. Where you or someone else working on your car before this happened, or did your brakes just stop working on their own? How did you bleed the brakes, and did you at any time allow the Master cylinder to run dry?

 

[urbanistic]

There was a recall on the 94 for a seal on the brake cylinder. Checkfor fluid around that thing that your pour brake fluid into, under the white thing there is a metal thing that your brake lines connect to. That is the cylinder. That connects to the power booster... the big black drum looking thing. Like a half a mini keg painted black, lol. f there is fluid dripping from there, take it to the dealer to fix the seal.

Now to help diagnose the brake problem...

1. Exactly how does the brakes not work? Do you pump em while moving and nothing?

2. Is the pedal firm or soft? Does it sink all the way down?

3. After you installed the brakes, how did you adjust the brakes?

4. At any time, did you get any dirt or oil or break fluid on any of the parts at the brakes in the front? To be safe, brake cleaner the whole shabang tobe sure its clear of oils. regrease your caliper pins with high temp grease, or waterproof grease. Run it thru the grooves of the pinholes with your finger.

After replacing shoes, you have to drive in reverse and ht around 25 mph... then hit the breaks. Do this 3 times to let the system adjust the pressures itself. DO NOT LET THE FLUID RUN DRY or you have lines full of air bubbles.

Be patient and very descriptive and people here can really point you in the right direction.

 

[wantedexplorer]

abs?

I have a 1994 Ford Explorer that has a 6 inch superlift with 33 inch tires. My problem is that my brakes arent working. I have brand new front brakes. I tried bleeding the brakes and it still did not work. Im confused, someone help me out here please. email me if you have the answer. methodairmadness@hotmail.com

I know in Maine, we have a law that says any vehicale with ABS we are not in anyway allowed to put over size or undersized tires on that vehicale, b/c the ABS is set up for the size ur vehicale comes with and it may screw up at anytime cause in-propper breaking. They claim there have been a few accidents cause of this, we have very strict Inspection laws. There are ways around it here in this state, i just take them off.. but that may be your problem ur ABS just may have decided to play tricks with the breaking system? or i coudl be completly wrong. just my .02.
Allan

 

[DeRocha]

Unfortunately the real problem with this thread is the complete lack of details by the original poster. Urbanistic did try to coax some info out of the methodairmadnes, but to no avail.

If ABS does screw up for any reason and you keep getting a pulsating brake pedal, you can just pull the ABS fuse (which will deactivate the system). The system is fairly simple (1st gens) and works by reading the rpm of each front wheel separately as well as a single sensor above the rear diff. When you step on the brake pedal the ABS system goes into action to determine if it needs to pulse either of your front brakes or both rear drums.

IMO if you install larger tires and the system works then your good to go. Several members did report problems having ABS problems several months after installing larger tires. If the system starts to act up several months down the road then I would examine the exciter rings and wheel sensors for any problems or signs of metallic contamination. Metal fragments on the exciter ring can cause inaccurate wheel rpm readings which may cause the ABS computer to inappropriately trigger ABS to pulse a wheel. Since the system initially worked fine for serveral months the only reasonable explaination (IMO) would be a problem with the wheel sensors.