03 Explorer ABS Pulsating
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Senior User
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From: Long Island
03 Explorer ABS Pulsating
My wifes 03 explorer is acting up..Now when I step on the Brake It pulsates like it is trying not to skid..Like the abs is activating and then The abs lite goes on and it disables the abs. Its doing it for just plain Braking and for no reason.. Any suggestions? After It disables it the light stays on and Pulsing of brake pedal and wheels stop. Any Known Cause?
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Joined: Jun 2009
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
As mentioned above, it's probably a wheel speed sensor. If you don't have access to an ABS or professional scan tool to pull the diagnostic code from the ABS module, the rear sensor is probably the place to start.
If your 2003 has RSC/AdvancTrac/stability control it will have a wheel speed sensor for each wheel. If that's the case, it's probably in your best interest to pull the diagnostic codes. If it does not, then it will only have a single rear wheel speed sensor and if you must shotgun a part, start with the rear wheel speed sensor.
-Rod
If your 2003 has RSC/AdvancTrac/stability control it will have a wheel speed sensor for each wheel. If that's the case, it's probably in your best interest to pull the diagnostic codes. If it does not, then it will only have a single rear wheel speed sensor and if you must shotgun a part, start with the rear wheel speed sensor.
-Rod
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Joined: Feb 2011
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I had that on my 98 Explorer... I pulled the fuse for a quick fix till I could get it fixed. I replaced fuse after a few weeks and problem has been solved, that was a year ago and still working properly. It should be a rear sensor.
Only problem pulling the fuse is that it also controlled my Tachometer and odometer.
Only problem pulling the fuse is that it also controlled my Tachometer and odometer.
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From: Long Island
Replaced rear sensor and No dice..Light still on...I guess there are front ones too now that I gotta mess with???????
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Jack vehicle up and check for failing wheel bearings, a bad wheel bearing can trigger an ABS light and cause these symptoms as well. Sounds like a wheel bearing problem to me.
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check for wheel movement and spin the wheels while listening for noise (grinding sounds) Do you have any shake or shimmies (even slight bit) while driving? You can also pull ABS codes and see if you get any intermittent ABS wheel codes (Example" loss of right front wheel sensor signal), Then check the corresponding wheel. Also look for cracked abs sensor leads around the wheels or corroded connections Is your ABS light on at start-up and stay on (hard code) or does it come on after you start to move the vehicle?
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The first few days the light would be off and then come on after about a minute..Now it just stays on for good..And No I dont get any unusual sounds from the front and nothing seems amiss.
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