Speed Sensors & ABS Light

[ducksoup18]

New explorer owner here. I have had it for 2 weeks and the ABS light has been on the entire time! After reading a few posts, I have come to believe that my speed sensor is what is causing the ABS light to stay on. Along with that there is a grinding/clicking noise ONLY at certain speeds(25-35 only when accellerating). I am not familiar with car repair so I was wondering if anyone has any more ideas about this problem. I have also read about "toothed integral rings" causing problems if they are warn. I am wondering if they could be making the sound im hearing? Your help is much appreciated!

 

[aldive]

Without a scan to determine the cause of the ABS light illumination, any repair attempt is a crap shoot.

Good luck ....

 

[ducksoup18]

Free Code Reads

Thanks for the reply! I know that Autozone does some code reads for freee. I called them and they said they werent able to read ABS codes with their equipment. Do you know of any other place that will read codes for free? I dont want to pay the $75 that i know i'll be charged at the dealership.

 

[ducksoup18]

One more thing...if it is the speed sensors, without having mechanical knowledge, would i be able to see if they were faulty? Dirty, greasy, etc? Maybe someone has a picture of what they look like, and for that matter where exactly they are located. Thanks again

 

[aldive]

Here is a picture of the rear axel sensor. Ford # F85Z-2L373-AC.

If that is your problem, the replacement is a 5 minute job.

 

[ducksoup18]

Thanks alot for your help aldive. Im bringing my explorer to a dealer today to see what they think. Hopefully we're on the right track. Thanks again, and if you have any more info that might be helpful, please feel free to post or email me.

 

[Rhett]

I am not familiar with car repair so I was wondering if anyone has any more ideas about this problem. I have also read about "toothed integral rings" causing problems if they are warn. I am wondering if they could be making the sound im hearing? Your help is much appreciated!

Well with such a new vehicle (2002) I would not expect the tone rings to be worn. (Sometimes in older cars they start rusting and so forth).

With the ABS light, the first thing I would check is the brake fluid level and quality. You can do that yourself cheaply and easily.

Then, if the brake fluid was ok, I'd consider taking it to a shop, probably a Ford dealer in the case of ABS...

 

[ducksoup18]

Rhett, thanks for the reply. No ideas as to what could be creating the sounds? I posted another thread about the sound. I am just nervous i was sold a lemon or something. thanks again!

 

[Rhett]

Hmm that sound...I am not sure, without hearing it. So it ONLY occurs at 25-35 mph when accelerating? That may be something unrelated to ABS. It could be anti-rattle clips on the brake pads. Could be something in the driveline, like a driveshaft u-joint that needs some grease.

You will have an ABS sensor at each front wheel. Sometimes, if one sensor is bad, the truck will pull that direction, sometimes not though. On older trucks, (I don't know about your newer truck) there is 1 ABS sensor for the rear axle. If the rear sensor is bad I have found it simply sets off the ABS light, which means the ABS system is deactivated.

I'm sure your dealer tech will be able to diagnose it.

 

[ExplorerDMB]

A guy at the shop today was working on an ambulance and the ABS and red brake light were on. Full of fluid. Rear sensor was out-of-limits when doing an resistance test. New sensor fixed the problem. ABS systems aren't that hard cause they usually have common failure points, but when you get into the actual electronics of it all (computers, etc.) you will be confused fast. I would take it to a well known independent shop, cause for us we only charge 40 bucks for a scan and we have every scanner the dealership has. Just throwing some options around. Just make sure you get those codes before you start replacing things.

-Drew

 

[ducksoup18]

Thanks for the posts guys. I went to the dealer today and found out the sound is made by the cam chain not being tight enough at those speeds. They told me it would be $125 for the codes, HA! I have a good feeling its the right front wheel's sensor. I feel it pull that way sometimes. Any ideas how to tighten the cam chain? I searched for cam chain tensioner, but didnt find much. Any ideas? Thanks again guys.