Brakes locking up?

JMJACHILDERS

MEMBER
2003 FORD WINDSTAR
6 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
100,000 MILES

Our brakes seize - get hard - and the vehicle will not stop without pumping. This happens randomly, after sitting for awhile, and in the rain a couple of times.

There is a sound that comes with it. We have had the abs repaired, and have had the vehicle in mutiple times for a squeeking that happens constantly. No matter how many times new pads are put on, we still get a squeek. The dealership said they couldn't help unless they experienced the problem.

We are afraid to drive it - and it is our only vehicle.

1 Reply

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

When you say the ABS was repaired, what exactly was done? This is going to matter because this sounds just like an ABS activation event.

This could be a wheel speed sensor issue so let's start with testing them using this guide:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

It could also be the module itself so we need to start with checking for codes but we need to use a scan tool capable of pulling ABS codes. Here is one that we have reviewed. please review this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jr_Iv8T_Phk

Once we know what codes are there we will have a better idea but we need to be prepared to replace the ABS module as well.

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

I attached the process below but I have seen this a number of times on these vans where the ABS will get water/moisture in the connectors and cause issues like this when it is wet outside.

Please let us know if you have questions on this and what you find. Thanks

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