1997 Ford Explorer ABS

BJPOULSON

MEMBER
1997 FORD EXPLORER
6 CYL
AWD
AUTOMATIC
103,000 MILES

I have had problems with my brake pedal pushing back up when I come to a stop & it makes a noise. The ABS light has never come on. I took it to the local Ford dealership & had it tested. They said the front left speed sensor & rear speed sensor were bad. I had the whole hub assembly replaced on the front left & the rear speed sensor somewhere else because Ford's cost was ridiculous. There is a significant improvement (when it pushes up it is not as forceful & it doesn't do it ever time I come to a stop now), but the brake pedal still pushes up. How do I eliminate the problem? Do I need to reset something? I disconnected the battery for a while, but no change. May it be that the right front speed sensor is bad too? Prior to getting it repaired I had pulled the ABS fuse (for approximately 2 years) so that I didn't have to deal with the brake pedal pushing up. But I don't want to continue doing that in case another brake issue arises.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

Start by making sure the sensors are clean. I have see situations where dirt and grease have caused the sensor to think the wheel stopped turning. As a result, the ABS would kick in.

Let me know what you find.
Joe

PS: Happy Easter!

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Sunday, April 4th, 2010 AT 10:30 AM

BJPOULSON

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3 POSTS

I checked the rear sensor & there was a little dirt inside the connection. I cleaned that out. (The mechanic should have cleaned it when putting the new sensor in!) I checked the ends that plug in up by the bumper for the front sensors & didn't see anything. Do I need to check the connections inside the front hubs too? All I saw was some kind of clear grease inside each of the connections, but I assume that is supposed to be there.

Still no change. I noticed that when the ABS kicks on when braking that the steering wheel pulls to the left a little if that means anything.

Happy Easter!

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Sunday, April 4th, 2010 AT 12:17 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

The clear grease should be there. As far as the pulling you feel, it sounds like problem is on the right side of the car. If the abs is releasing pressure on the right and not on the left, it will pull that way. Did you make sure the sensor itself was clean as well as the stator?

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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 1:46 PM

BJPOULSON

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3 POSTS

Where exactly is the sensor itself?

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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 4:52 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,772 POSTS

If you look at the end of the front axle where the outter cv joint is located, you will see the stator between the CV joint and the backing plate. The sensor is attached there and facing the stator to produce a current.