ABS control/brake bleed issue

WIKIRIKI

MEMBER
2000 FORD E-SERIES VAN
7.3L
V8
TURBO
2WD
AUTOMATIC
200,000 MILES

Squishy pedal after replacing power brake booster, master cylinder (twice), and bleeding multiple times over many miles.

Repair technician, after telling me the master cylinder was bad, is now telling me the discontinued factory ABS control module is bad. No one seems to carry this part or an aftermarket replacement. If the original factory ABS control module were rebuildable, I would attempt to rebuild it, but I can't even find a rebuild kit. What can be done to repair the ABS control module (if it's indeed bad) and solve the squishy pedal issue?

1 Reply

AL514

MECHANIC
4,699 POSTS

Hello, well if the module is indeed discontinued, your best bet would be to go to a used parts yard and see if you can get a used one. Depending on what's wrong with the unit, if for example the technician cannot communicate with it with this scan tool. I would check the power and grounds on it to begin with and make sure it has actually failed and it's not just a relay not powering it up or something. The reason your brakes are probably soft is the ABS unit usually needs to be bled with a scan tool to open the hydraulic solenoids inside. There's a circuit board in the unit and is what controls the Hydraulic Solenoids inside and receives data from the wheel sensors to do its job, which is prevent the wheels from locking up in an emergency braking situation.
I would recommend calling around to some used parts yards and seeing if you can find a working unit first. I don't know if this year one would need reprogramming or not.
Is this the Cargo Van, Cargo Van Extended, Passenger Van, or Passenger Van Extended model body style? I see its a 7.2 liter Diesel.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-abs-controller