Carrick Crocker
Member
The ABS light on my Expy comes on randomly. However, after it's been park at night, at restart the light is off. Any ideas which parts need repairs?
Intermittent ABS dash light
- Thread starter Carrick Crocker
- Start date
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JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
My 2001 XLT 2WD 4.6L is doing same thing. Actually it is pretty predictable when the light comes on. On my way out of the neighborhood, maybe a mile or two, I dunno, haven't measured. The lamp comes on about same place on the road. I did pull codes and the code pertained to a voltage problem. I have been putting it off, blaming the >5YO battery. Well this weekend I replaced the battery with OEM rated one and cleaned all the battery terminals, charged the battery and the problem persists. So the problem is either in the wiring or the module itself.
They tell you to pull the connector (tricky, be careful not to break it, spray clean with WD40 to loosen the slide mechanism) and measure 12V on the pins. I am going to go one step further and measure the resistance to ground and at negative battery terminal and likewise on the positive side which is HOT through 50 amp fuse.
If the power checks out, I am going to send the module off to one of the companies that will open them up and resolder the likely cold solder joints.
You can delete the ABS and there are plenty of folks who will tell you how, but I would feel better having that working as it has saved me, most recently in my other car.
They tell you to pull the connector (tricky, be careful not to break it, spray clean with WD40 to loosen the slide mechanism) and measure 12V on the pins. I am going to go one step further and measure the resistance to ground and at negative battery terminal and likewise on the positive side which is HOT through 50 amp fuse.
If the power checks out, I am going to send the module off to one of the companies that will open them up and resolder the likely cold solder joints.
You can delete the ABS and there are plenty of folks who will tell you how, but I would feel better having that working as it has saved me, most recently in my other car.
DaveFsExpedition
New Member
My 2001 Expedition EB 5.4 AWD does the same thing. It appears to come on when the engine bay gets warm, 1 mi or so down the road. I’ve replaced the rear wheel speed sensor on the diff, and both front hubs with sensors. Also bought a reconditioned ABS Module and cleaned the connector sockets. I’m going to try a heat shield around a few sensors that may be affected by heat. Wiring and connections shouldn’t be. I’d value anyone’s experience with this!
JamaicaJoe
Full Access Members
Mine comes on down the road a mile or two. Always same place. I think it is related to the time or mileage elapsed to self check. I didn't think it might be temperature related. I have not sent it in for refurbishing yet. My money is on cold solder joints inside the module. Let us know if the refurb fixed it.
DaveFsExpedition
New Member
I timed mine and it was different under different ambient temperatures and engine warmth. If it was the same, it could be bad all the time and the long debounce time explains the delay. I just sent my 2nd module in for reman. Remove the module and put your finger on the coils. They should not rattle, otherwise they are broken off the circuit board. These broken contacts can be why heat opens the circuit.
DaveFsExpedition
New Member
I got the ABS module back from ModuleMaster.com. They were great and told me there were codes for all 3 whl speed sensors stored I. The module. They cleared them. Unfortunately the ABS light came back on. All 3 sensors and the front hubs are new. I even changed the diff fluid in case ferrous chips were affecting the rear diff speed sensor. I tested V across all the pins and both fuses. It has to be a connection problem but I’m out of ideas.
Gary Waugh
Full Access Members
I purchased a new FORD ABS unit and fitted it, but then had to take the car to my Ford dealer to reprogram the car to recognize the new ABS unit and everything has been good since. The ford ABS unit was $1000 and they charged me $150 to program the car. My Ford garage had quoted me $1400 to purchase, fit and program the car. If I was doing it again, I would let ford do it all, the effort to save $250 wasn't worth it in my opinion.. That was 4 years ago and everything has been great since, my expedition is an 08. I tried getting my wife's Mustang ABS refurbished and refitted, cost about $400 but after a year or so the ABS light started coming on again so we traded the car in for a new Subaru outback. Have not been very impressed with the refurbished ABS units so far (similar results with my daughters ford edge, refurbished the unit, errors after 9 months, had Ford fit an new unit and 3 years later still no issues!!). I like my brakes to work so from now on will just replace the ABS unit with new units!!
Gary
Gary
