What kind of ABS does this truck have?

Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 FORD F-150
  • 5.4L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
My light is on but I can't seem to find any information on which type of ABS this has so I can try to fix it.
Friday, October 14th, 2022 AT 1:00 PM

24 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,480 POSTS
The first thing will be to get it scanned with a tool that can read the ABS codes. It could be a bad speed sensor or a short or a bad module but without scanning it to find the code first anything else would be a guess. Unfortunately, most of the places that do free scans won't do anything except engine related codes so unless you have a scan tool that can read the ABS system it's likely going to need to go to a shop.
As for which system it has, they offered 2, one was a rear wheel only system that used a load valve in the rear and won't trigger a light unless you broke a brake line and lost all of the fluid. The other system was a 4-wheel ABS system that uses an EBCM that mounts in the left side of the engine compartment, easy to tell if you have it because it uses a large module with brake lines coming out of it. If the fault is in the EBCM itself you will need to replace it and have it programmed to match the vehicle's options like tire size, engine size and such using a dealer level scan tool.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 2:20 AM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Thanks for the reply. I haven't looked yet because I just got it and saw the light on. Now that I know what to look for, I will do so tomorrow. I might have to wait because I also need to get new tires and maybe wheels/rims too and if I get the ABS module done first, it might not work with my new tires. Or will that matter at all?
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 9:05 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The ABS uses parts on the truck that don't change. Tires won't alter it unless you go to a very different size. I would start with the scan. Wouldn't be good to replace and program a multiple hundred dollar module because of a 10 dollar connector.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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The tires on it now are M/T boggers and they are 37x12.5 and it has a lift of about 4-6 inches. I want to lower it down some and figure if I go with stock 265/70 or so then it will be okay. So, should I do the tires first then the module (if that's the problem)?
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 10:26 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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That truck would be handy in Florida. With those tires I would check that the ABS is still there, it may have been disabled and now the light is always on.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 11:00 AM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Duh, I guess I should have done that first!LOL Okay, I crawled under it and there's no module like that but there is the one in the rear differential. I'm going to guess that it is the only ABS part there is. Am I correct? So, it would be a matter of taking that out and installing a new one and then just drive it? No programming needed?
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 12:08 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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That module would be up under the hood if it has the all wheel ABS. Pop the hood and take a few picture of the left side of the engine bay and we can tell you for sure.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Okat, I'll do that, but it will be tomorrow if you want to check back later. Thanks for the help so far.
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Saturday, October 15th, 2022 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I noticed you haven't been contacted in a couple of days. Have you been able to make any progress? I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe
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Monday, October 17th, 2022 AT 7:44 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Haven't looked at the truck because it has been really cold out. I'm hoping to this weekend if the weather is as forecast. Thanks for asking.
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Monday, October 17th, 2022 AT 9:10 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

No problem whatsoever. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.

Take care,

Joe
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Tuesday, October 18th, 2022 AT 8:14 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Hey Joe. Had some time to do some looking and can see the ABS module assy under the M/C and a sensor in the diff. I borrowed a scanner that has ABS but there wasn't any codes but the light is still on. So, I need to do some searching. Any help with where to start or what to look for would be wonderful.
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I attached a pic below showing the front wheel speed sensor location. Confirm they are there. If they are, do you know if the scan tool can provide live data? If it can, check to see if the wheel speeds are the same while the vehicle is moving.

Let me know.

Joe
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 9:23 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Just looked under the hood so far, will check each front wheel in morning.
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Friday, October 21st, 2022 AT 10:41 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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If the light is on it should have codes stored unless the scan tool you used cannot talk to that module, not uncommon with some tools. As the light is on and you have the 4-wheel system, check that all four fuses are good. Use a test light to verify power on both sides of the fuses. Then if your tool can read live data look at the three speed sensors as Joe mentioned. Being it's a lifted truck it's likely that someone disabled the system by pulling a fuse or didn't connect the sensors. Also, common because the harnesses need to be extended.
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 AT 9:00 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Thanks, I'll look into that. I know the scanner works on my son's car, so it has to be something like you said. Thanks. So, a bad fuse or missing fuse will make the light come on the dash?
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Saturday, October 22nd, 2022 AT 9:31 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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It can. The system uses multiple power sources. The 50-amp powers the module itself. Remove it and the light comes on because the PCM no longer sees the ABS module. The other fuses power different parts of the system and a fault in any of them will turn the light on. However, the 50 amp is one that, if it is removed you wouldn't be able to connect to the module. So, we start at the powers and grounds.
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 AT 12:37 AM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Thanks for the reply. I'm going to check them out today sometime if I have extra time. Will let you know the results as soon as I can.
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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No rush, I know what it's like when you need "roundtoit's"
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Sunday, October 23rd, 2022 AT 9:04 PM
Tiny
DUSTYSH0RTS
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Hahaha, I have too many of them! Wife keeps adding to my jar!
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Monday, October 24th, 2022 AT 8:26 AM

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