Codes C1229 and C1290?

Hi,

The C1229 is related to the single speed/ABS sensor as you mentioned. I attached diagnostics below specific to the vehicle and code.

The C1290 is related to the steering angle sensor. Actually, the two are tied together. However, I don't believe this vehicle has a steering angle sensor. Is this an E150 cargo or passenger van?

Also, I have some questions you may find odd. When driving straight down the road, is the steering wheel centered as it should be? Have you had an alignment recently done?

Let me know. Also, let me know if this is an E150 or E250.

Take care,

Joe

Hello there, Joe, I'm so sorry i posted the wrong codes... the codes i get still are C1230 and C1229 (someone may want to change this thread heading to say that) and the van is a custom one but i believe it once was a cargo van. the basic length type. And no i haven't had an alignment done in a long time and far as driving it goes it stays pretty straight. And its a 2000 Ford E-150. My van looks like this one in the picture but not that fancy (minus the high top, fender flairs and mag wheels). Also, is it safe to continue driving my van as long as the ABS light keeps coming on and going off?

Hi,

No problem whatsoever. Now I have a problem. LOL I'm not finding either of those for this year, make, and model. Are you certain the first letter is a C and not a P?

Let me know.

Joe

LOL Please don't say that... and yes, these are the codes that i am finding with my scanner. both error codes are C1230 and C1229. And these are the only error codes i have at the moment (Praise the Lord) too. But i did have a quick question for you... On my van where is the ABS tone ring gear located? My van is a 2000 Ford E-150 4.2L V6 2WD, Automatic, and the scanner i use is the Bosch OBD 1100.

Hi,

The rear anti-lock brake sensor indicator (tone ring) is attached to the ring gear in the differential. It is necessary to remove the ring gear in order to remove the rear anti-lock brake sensor indicator.

As far as the front, they are mounted on the inside of the brake rotor. See pic below.

Let me know if this helps.

Take care,

Joe

See pic below.

Hello there, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions. What i plan on doing is calling this axle repair shop i know and see if they will install a new tone ring and ABS sensor. Hopefully they will. The last shop i went to said they fixed it, but it appears they didn't etc. Any idea on what a job like this will cost me? Taking an educated guess that is, etc. And if doing this doesn't work any idea what could be the problem? Any idea? i would like to know ahead of time so if anything, else is needed i can ask the guy to fix it while he has everything apart etc. And yes, I want you and Ken, and all the others posted, always a helps out! :-D

Hi,

The toner ring in the differential usually doesn't fail. What I have seen happen is they get corroded with dirt. Before taking it to a shop, remove the sensor and see if there is a build-up of dirt on the ring. You may want to consider removing the differential cover and servicing and cleaning everything.

If you look below, I attached the labor (flat rate) time for replacing the ring. It calls for 1.5 hours. It doesn't provide a part number, so I have a feeling you may have trouble finding one.

The remaining pictures are the directions for replacing the sensor. I'm suggesting this because by removing it, (not easily) you should be able to determine if it is a dirt issue. There could be dirt on the sensor or on the ring itself.

Let me know if this helps or if you have other questions.

Take care,

joe

See pics below.

Okay. i will have to let the repair shop do that for me if they will. I'm in a wheelchair and i can't do that unfortunately. Maybe he will check it and clean it for me. Hopefully he will be nice enough to do that for me. And thank you for showing me the extra pictures too. And okay i sure will let you know if this helped or not i am pretty sure it will. What you guys post always helps. And not to worry if i have more questions i will be back. I have told others about 2CarPros website, don't know if they gave you guys a try yet.

Update (well kind of): Today i went to get my ABS tone ring (they are supposed to look at that and clean it or replace it next week).

I hit my brakes hard today and my van pulled kind of hard to the left. It did that 2 times and then it quit doing it the rest of the way home. Should i be worried about my van doing that? This is the first time my van has ever done that too. At least while i have owned it anyway. The ABS light keeps going on and off too.

Hi,

That doesn't sound good. When you have a pull when the brakes are applied, usually a brake caliper is failing. If it pulled hard to the left, the right caliper may not have responded when you hit the brakes.

Have you had it happen again, or does it seem to be working normally now?

Let me know.

Joe

Okay, i will let you know. but after it did it 2 times yesterday. it didn't do it any more on the way home. One guy even told me it could be what is called a banjo bolt that could be the problem too. He said before you owned it someone could have had the brakes replaced and not put the original bolts back in. Then i said what is the difference, a bolt is a bolt. He said it makes a big difference. He said not all of those holes in a banjo bolt are drilled out to the same specs. Then he said i would rather it be a banjo bolt that cost $4.00 than to buy all of those other parts needed. After hearing all of that i am more confused than ever but one thing for sure i don't want it to pull to the left like that again. that scared me big time..

Hi,

I understand the confusion. If there is anything I can do to help, let me know. I'll try my best from here to help you through checks and repairs.

Also, a banjo bolt wouldn't work most of the time and not others. I suspect that isn't the cause.

Let me know.

Take care,

Joe

Thank you for taking the time to write to me and help me out... I do appreciate all the answers i get from you Joe and all the others too. I will test the van again tomorrow and let you know if it is still doing that etc. I sure hope it's not the banjo bolt. but then again. Sometimes the smaller parts can be a pain in the butt too. Anyway, i will let you know.

Hi,

Sounds like a plan. The only thing I can say about the banjo fitting is if the drilled hole in the bolt is somehow too shallow or deep. Other than that, I'm struggling to think of how it would cause this. Also, it is unchanging. Once it is bolted, it doesn't move, so it shouldn't work most times and not others.

Regardless, let me know what you find.

Joe

Well, I drove it to the store and church today and it didn't pull at all. I even tested down a street where nobody was. And press the brakes kind of hard too. No pull at all. The ABS light came on and went off but that is all praise the Lord. I'm going to have the ABS tone ring looked at either Thursday or Friday (Whenever the shop says he can get to it). I will put my scanner on it later today and see if any new codes show up. Hopefully none.

Hi,

That is good news. I'm glad it hasn't happened again. As far as the ABS light, make sure the brake fluid is full. If it gets low, it can turn the light on as well. LOL

Let me know if you find any different codes.

Take care,

Joe

Hello there... yeah that was very good news... And i will have the brake fluid checked as well. I hope it was something simple i over looked that keeps that abs light going on and off etc. I will let you know about the codes comes up as well. Is there any way a code scanner can tell you what the fuel pressure on a car or truck is can it? IF so how, i thought the fuel pressure gauge was all mechanical type stuff. I don't see how a code scanner could detect something like that since its mostly software etc. Anyway i will keep you guys updated!! :-)

Hi,

Some vehicles are made using a fuel pressure sensor. If it has one, then a scan tool can be used. On the other hand, usually, if there is a fuel pressure-related issue without a pressure sensor, you will likely get codes related to a rich or lean fuel mixture.

Joe

Oh, oh okay. I was wondering how that worked. Well, here is the error code that came up while driving home today. It's not a new code but i took a picture of it and maybe you guys can make sense of what the scanner is saying. It's the same code as before but this time it was scanned with another scanner. Well i will update you guys on the ABS tone ringer tomorrow.

Hi,

Based on the scanner, either you have a faulty sensor, the toner ring is corroded/dirty, or there is a wiring problem.

Have you checked the wiring at the sensor on the rear axle? Also, is the connector in good condition and not corroded or damaged?

Just out of curiosity, does the sensor appear new? I remember you saying it was replaced.

Let me know.

Joe

Hello there Joe... Let me start off by answering your question(s). No have anybody check the wiring at the sensor on the rear axle. Now if it looks new i can't tell because i can't see it. Van sits too low for me to look at it. But the sensor has been replaced and the guy that put in the new toner ring said today it looks like it was replaced not too long ago to him. And i had another shop put that one in for me. They could have put a bad one in by mistake (or on purpose who knows). I even ask the guy does he knows of anybody that knows how to work on abs systems and brakes etc. And he said to be honest with you i don't know of anybody that would be honest enough to fix on brakes. Then he said just so you know i let some of your brake fluid out because your brake reservoir was too full. So, i really don't know what else to do at this point. Then the last thing he said was, hey your front ones could be bad too. It could be your front ones that could be causing your problems etc. But so far, all the scanners i have used none of them point to the front ABS sensors as being bad. It always pulls up C1230 and C1229. I think it may be the connector at the back axle sensor too. Should i take it to Midas? I really don't want to. They are really high in all their prices.

Hi,

It certainly could be the connector or a wiring issue at that point. Are you able to safely lift and support the rear of the vehicle so you can access the differential?

Let me know.

Joe

Hello there Joe. No unfortunately, I am unable to do that (Wheelchair). But what i am going to try and do is use one of those scope probes that has a camera at the end of it and see if i can manage to bend it and curve it so i can take pictures of the differential. Hopefully i can get some good clear pictures of it. Here i thought that was the silliest gift a person could give a person in a wheelchair but looks like it may come in handy after all. :-) Okay, i will let you know.

Well so much for what i was going try and do.. the van sits to low for me to try and use one of those camera scope things.. I couldn't get a good shot of the front of the differential at all. Not even the top part.

Hi,

Is there anyone that could do it for you? If you held the camera while someone got under the vehicle, it may help.

Let me know.,

Joe

Okay, i will try that. Maybe I can get someone i know that may be able to help me.

Well, so far i haven't had anybody to check for me to see if the wiring or connectors are bad yet. But i am still working on it.. But i do have a question. Perhaps i should have asked this question from the beginning. How can you tell you have the right speed sensor from the parts store that fits your vehicle? Because i was looking at them online and they have a lot listed but some look very different from others. Most of them on carsparts.com don't even tell you where to install them. Could it be i may have bought the wrong speed sensor for the back of my van etc. Just asking. Reason i ask is because the speed sensor they told me they put on there... the auto repair shop bought the part and i didn't. Normally i buy the part and had it to them. Like i did with the toner ring. When i look up speed senor parts now, I am seeing they have a speed sensor from AutoZone but it doesn't say it goes on the differential. It says transmission or transmission shaft etc. And if it does end up needing a new connector is this the right one to buy. here is the part number from AutoZone. SKU # 739244 and here is what it looks like.

Hi,

The best way to determine if you have the correct sensor is to cross reference the OEM part number with the aftermarket one.

I attached the part number below. Let me know if this helps.

Joe

See pic below.

Yeah, it helped out... but is the speedometer sensor the same as the abs speed sensor? Also, none of the speed sensors had that part number by them at all (At O’Reilly Auto Parts or AutoZone). O’Reilly Auto Parts and AutoZone must not be selling real Ford parts or something. I found that part number on another website though.

Hi,

The sensor function is for the rear ABS as well. As far as the parts stores are concerned, they sell aftermarket parts, so the part numbers will be different. The number I provided is so you can cross-reference the two different part numbers.

Let me know.

joe

Oh, oh okay (the sensor function is for the rear ABS as well). I was wondering why the part numbers on parts hardly ever match up.. Glad you told me that the parts stores sell aftermarket parts. Also, this coming Friday i am supposed to get my van looked at again. This time it is supposed to be done by a shop that supposed to know how to fix brakes. Anyway, i will let you guys know how things turn out.

Update: The ABS light went off for a little bit after he replaced the speed sensor again. Then before i could get home it came back on again. The repair shop guy says he will try replacing the speed sensor one more time and if that doesn't fix it, he will dig into the wires and see if he can see what the matter is. Sorry guys but that's all i have for an update. The brakes sure feel funny when you apply them though. Firm at first and then it's like it lets get weaker. But it doesn't drop all the way to the floor though.

Hi,

If it was off for a bit, that sounds like either a connection issue or it is losing the signal from the tone ring. Did he show you the one that he removed?

Let me know.

Joe

Hello there, and yeah, he showed me the one he removed. It was really dirty looking too. It looks as if it had a lot of grease and oil all over it (I didn't think to take a picture of it). I went to the store today and i was testing the brakes gentle and hard this time etc., and they feel really good so far. My brakes responded really good since this speed sensor was put in. But the ABS light is still on etc. The price he charged me was $125.00 so i didn't feel too bad about the ABS light coming back on but i did feel sad though when it did. Midas was going to charge me $601.00 but that was going to include some test to it and replace the brake hoses in the front too and the speed sensor etc. But that was too high for me.

Hi,

The only other thing I can think of is if there is an issue with the wiring to the sensor. Something isn't adding up. Did they have the codes cleared and the ABS light off when you picked it up?

Joe

Hello there, that's what i am thinking as well (And yes something isn't adding up alright). and yes, he cleared the codes i saw him do that. I even disconnected the battery to make sure the codes were really cleared off. My speed sensor has been replaced 2 times now. I keep getting the same results. I drove my van to church this morning and the ABS light came on... but on the way home it was on for a little bit and then went off and stayed off all the way home. But i am going to take it in tomorrow (I hope) and ask him if he would check the wiring that attaches to the speed sensor to see if it is bad or not. Because if it's bad he sure didn't tell me.

That sounds like a plan. Also, you indicated the sensor that was removed was extremely dirty. That takes be back to the toner ring that if excessively dirty, can prevent the signal from being produced. I would pull this sensor out and inspect it for evidence of dirt again.

If you have a chance, let me know what is found.

Take care,

Joe

Okay, i will let you know how it goes. well, the toner ring shouldn't be too dirty ( i hope) i had a new toner ring installed. What are the chances of buying a bad new speed sensor 2 times in a row? I have learned a valuable lesson here. Never go to a repair shop without having your own parts. True enough you don't know if they have actually used the part or parts, you bring but it does speed up the repair time if you bring the parts yourself. I was at the repair shop for at least 3 or 4 hours waiting for the part to show up from the part supplier this guy uses. Anyway, i will let you know how it goes.

Well, i just came back from the repair shop and i didn't get it fixed once again. To make a long story short he said that the parts place sent him the wrong part. They sent him the speed sensor connector and not another speed sensor. Then shortly after that he said today wasn't going to be a good day for him to work on my van (it was his idea for me to bring it in today too) If you can bring it back by and leave it so he can figure out what is going on with my van. The picture below is the part the parts people sent him. And he said he was going to send that part back. That's kind of where things stand right now. To give you a full rundown on what's happening to the van when you drive it.

(1.) When driving it, the brakes are firm at first for a few stops. And then gets spongy. That's when the ABS light comes on mostly.

(2.) You can turn the van off like you want to go into a store and then come out and start it again and drive a little way and the ABS light will go out and not come back on for a little way and then it will come back on again after a few stop lights.

It repeats (1.) and (2.) over and over again.
Also, i went ahead and bought the speed sensor connector myself from Oreilly auto. Maybe i can find someone that will put that on for me and it will fix the problem. I do not know if i should go back to this guys repair shop or not. He is a nice guy and all, but he is under staff big time. Anyway, that is the latest update.

Hi,

It sounds like you have the same kind of luck as I do. LOL Regardless, let me know what they find when the new sensor comes in. I'm interested in knowing.

Take care,

Joe