My 97 F350 the ABS light blinks 16 times, then stays on. Then in a minute it will do the same thing over again. it always blinks exactly 16 times though.

 

not sure about the significance of the 16 blinks but it could be the RABS valve is bad.

 

what is the RABS valve?

 

rabs=rear abs. which truck are taking about

 

It's located on the driver side frame rail behind the front wheel.

 

Its a 97 F350. The Ford Dealer told me that 16 blinks means everything is ok. I asked him why its blinking then and he said its supposed to do that. What kind of crap is that? He must be an idiot.

 

Do you have some friends that are playing a joke on you? To be honest I can't remember but think there is a jumper you have to do to initiate the test. Maybe a wire is shorted somewhere?

 

For some reason I found that to be so funny. Its not normal, something is for sure wrong.

 

Trouble Code Condition
2 Open RABS Isolation Solenoid Circuit
3 Open RABS Dump Solenoid Circuit
4 * Open/grounded Valve Reset Circuit
5 Excessive Dump Solenoid Activity
6 Erratic Speed Sensor Circuit
7 No Isolation Solenoid during self-check
8 No dump solenoid During Self-check
9 High Speed Sensor resistance
10 Low speed Sensor resistance
11 Stop lamp Circuit Always Closed
12 Loss Of Hydraulic Fluid During Anti-lock Stop
13 Anti-lock Electrical Control Unit Failure
16 or more. Drive test.


If the RABS light is on, it means the RABS Module has detected a fault in the RABS system and has stored a Diagnostic Trouble code (DTC). To retrieve the RABS dtcs:

Verify the ignition switch is in the RUN position, engine does not need to be running. Next, locate the black Rear Anti-lock Brake System II (RABS II) diagnostic connector. The diagnostic connector has two mating halves, one of which has a black/orange wire connected to it. Disconnect the two halves.
Attach one end of a jumper wire to the black with orange stripe wire side of the diagnostic connector. CAUTION: Care must be taken to connect only the black/orange stripe wire to ground. Connecting the mating connector wire to ground will result in a blown fuse.
Momentarily ground the opposite end of the jumper wire by connecting it to a good chassis ground for one to two seconds.
Grounding this wire should start the RABS lamp flashing.
The code consists of a number of short flashes and ends with a long flash. Count the short flashes and include the following long flash in the count to obtain the code number. EXAMPLE: Three short flashes followed by one long flash indicates diagnostic trouble Code 4. The code will continue to repeat itself until the key is turned OFF. It is recommended that the code be verified by reading it several times. A diagnostic trouble code of 16 will be obtained when the module detects normal system operation.
The red brake warning light is constantly monitored by the Rear Anti-lock Electronic Control Module. If the red light illuminates, the anti-lock electronic control module will disable the Rear Anti-lock Brake (RABS II ) system. For this reason, diagnosing and resolving any base brake concerns illuminating the red brake warning light will, in most cases, resolve a perceived RABS II concern.

The red brake warning light is used to indicate a low brake fluid level condition or parking brake applied condition. To check this light, insert the key in the ignition lock cylinder and turn it to the START position. The brake warning light should glow in this position.

Allow the key to spring back from the START position to the RUN position. At this time the red brake warning light should turn off. If it does not turn off, recheck the parking brake switch to make sure that it is fully disengaged. If the red brake warning light is still on, service the base brake system.

The yellow Rear Anti-lock Brakes System II (RABS II) warning light is used to indicate a malfunction and a deactivation of the RABS II system. To check this light, first turn the ignition to the START position, allow the key to spring back from START position to the RUN position. The RABS light should perform a self-check by glowing for approximately two seconds and then turn off.

If it turns back on and does not flash, then a system concern has been detected.

If the yellow REAR ABS warning light begins to flash, this indicates that the keep-alive memory (KAM) power to the anti-lock electronic control module has been disrupted.


With the bold above, check your fuses.

Also, the fault code list if for a ranger. Thats all the info I have.

 

Nice write up David!