1998 Ford Explorer ABS problem

LAURAE201

MEMBER
1998 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
4WD
AUTOMATIC
150,000 MILES

I have a 1998 Ford Explorer. For about 2+ years the ABS light has been coming on and off randomly. I've had it with my mechanic several times, they have replaces ALL the sensors, multiple wires and some other junction box, basically everything that would affect the ABS system. The light keeps coming on, and they are at a loss. Ford has not been much help, they gave the same advice (replace until the dash light goes off and stays off). There is also an interesting breaking sensation that occurs every so often at a very slow speed as I am breaking that feels like the ABS system is kicking in, but it almost feels like the truck won't stop then a second later the breaks kick in. Very weird and disconcerting. The mechanic thinks they may be connected but so far nothing they have done has worked or fixed the overall problem. Any ideas? Any help would be appreciated.

3 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,885 POSTS

Wow! Replace until it's fixed? That is about the worst advice I ever heard, but not uncommon. First, if you feel the ABS actuate when you stop, have them check the stator on the wheels to make sure they are not covered with grease, dirt. If they are, that can actuate the ABS because it won't sense the signal. Next, they need to scan the computer to identify what the trouble code is. Have they done that?

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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 AT 4:52 AM

LAURAE201

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thanks for the reply. Yes, they pull codes every time it's in the shop and it keeps coming back with the same code - but what tripped it was fixed/replaced. [Can't remember exactly what though] I can ask about the stator on the wheels, but I have a feeling they may have done that already. They do a great job and are getting really frustrated with this, as they have never encountered anything like it before. I'm getting ready to just say it's being temperamental and give up. Then the breaks will kick in odd again and want them to keep looking. I'm not sure if this helps any, the ABS dash light is not on constantly, it will stay on then go off, be off for a day then come back on. It's totally random.

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Wednesday, December 15th, 2010 AT 6:33 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS