HELP PLEASE 2000 Mountaineer, abs computer?
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HELP PLEASE 2000 Mountaineer, abs computer?
2000 Mountaineer V8 AWD. Speedo stopped working, check engine light is on, air bag light is on. Took it to the garage. Mechanic says the ABS Computer is bad which is why the speedo doesn't work and the engine light is on. (not sure it that has anything to do w/ air bag light). He says the part is $700 and once installed the truck has to go to the Ford dealership to be downloaded? I'm trying to research this. All the articles and posts I've read about the abs computer seem to also have something to do with the brakes and master cylinder and most also seem to mention something about the abs light being on. None of this relates to my situation. I should also mention the tachometer works intermittently, sometimes I have to tap on it. Anyone help me with this please? How do I know the problem is really the abs computer? It runs great, everything else works and the brakes are excellent. Thanks much!
You can e-mail me direct at TwistedStitches1@aol.com
You can e-mail me direct at TwistedStitches1@aol.com
Last edited by 2000MercMountaineer; Nov 17, 2011 at 07:48 AM. Reason: add info
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From: Frederick, MD
I know on the super dutys there is a VSS on top of the rear differenial. Tends to get dirty or fail.
Just an electrical connection and the sensor. Will do what you are describing.
Check it out. Don't know if there is one.
Just an electrical connection and the sensor. Will do what you are describing.
Check it out. Don't know if there is one.
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From: Frederick, MD
I think i'd also verify that your battery is in good shape. Check the charging system and volts at the battery. Something else that may or may not have anything to do with it but doesn't cost a dime to check.
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Thank you
Thanks. This is driving me crazy. Mechanic is a very reputable one, someone I trust and recommend often but this just doesn't strike me as the diagnosis he's given. If the computer throws a code that indicates the abs computer, that doesn't mean the $700 part plus installation, plus a bill at the Ford Dealership right? Seems like the ABS light would at least be on., that being said, with the ABS anything in the picture it seems like the brakes would be weird too. I'm no mechanic by any stretch and I really appreciate your info. 
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
I agree, if the wheel speed sensor or ABS module is the problem, you should expect that the ABS light would be on. Are you absolutely positive that the light that is on is the Airbag/SRS light and NOT the ABS light? The airbag indicator is below the tachometer. The ABS indicator to the right of the fuel gauge, above the high beam indicator.
Did the technician scan the ABS computer as well as the airbag system? They should be able to scan both while they have the scan tool out. Did he also tell you what the particular code(s) is/are that are causing the Check Engine Light (CEL) to be on? I think you're right to suspect the ABS computer is not the real issue, unless the light is not on because the ABS computer doesn't have any power to it....
-Rod
Did the technician scan the ABS computer as well as the airbag system? They should be able to scan both while they have the scan tool out. Did he also tell you what the particular code(s) is/are that are causing the Check Engine Light (CEL) to be on? I think you're right to suspect the ABS computer is not the real issue, unless the light is not on because the ABS computer doesn't have any power to it....
-Rod
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Power to ABS Computer?
Hi,
Can you tell me how I can check to see if the ABS computer even has power going to it?
Also, double checked. I looked the light up that's on, on the dash, it's the air bag. It's a pic of a little guy etc... flashes a few times slowly when I start the truck, then stays on.
Brakes feel and work great, no ABS light on.
Thank you!
Can you tell me how I can check to see if the ABS computer even has power going to it?
Also, double checked. I looked the light up that's on, on the dash, it's the air bag. It's a pic of a little guy etc... flashes a few times slowly when I start the truck, then stays on.
Brakes feel and work great, no ABS light on.
Thank you!
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
For starters, you should get a bulb test for the ABS when you first start the vehicle or turn the key to the Run position. If the bulb does not illuminate for a couple of seconds, the ABS system may not be getting power.
There are 4 fuses that provide power to the ABS system, fuse 7 (30A - CPU Feed) and fuse 3 (50A - ABS Pump Motor feed) in the Battery Junction Box, as well as fuse 14 (10A - Ignition power) and fuse 9 (7.5A - Brake pedal position switch feed) in the Central Junction Box.
It sounds like the airbag light is flashing out a lamp fault code (LFC). You should count the flashes and note the long pauses to determine the LFC. For example - Flash, Flash, Flash, pause, Flash, Flash, Flash, Flash, long pause, Flash, pause, Flash, long pause would be codes 34 and 11.
-Rod
There are 4 fuses that provide power to the ABS system, fuse 7 (30A - CPU Feed) and fuse 3 (50A - ABS Pump Motor feed) in the Battery Junction Box, as well as fuse 14 (10A - Ignition power) and fuse 9 (7.5A - Brake pedal position switch feed) in the Central Junction Box.
It sounds like the airbag light is flashing out a lamp fault code (LFC). You should count the flashes and note the long pauses to determine the LFC. For example - Flash, Flash, Flash, pause, Flash, Flash, Flash, Flash, long pause, Flash, pause, Flash, long pause would be codes 34 and 11.
-Rod
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Battery Junction Box
Thank you for helping me with this. I'm going out in a few minutes to double check because I don't recall seeing the ABS light illuminate when I start the truck as you mentioned, but it could be one of those things where I'm just used to it so I don't even notice...
Early on to try and fix this problem I found 2 fuse boxes, one under the hood, the other in the truck, and replaced every fuse.. I'm just not sure what you're referring to when you refer to the battery junction box? Sounds live I've not done that one yet but thought I would make sure with you first.
I guess the screw or nut on the VSS on the rear diff that Senix mentioned is extremely hard to get out for some reason. I'm not sure if it's rusted/seized up or what.
Going to check the abs light as you said. Thanks again!
Early on to try and fix this problem I found 2 fuse boxes, one under the hood, the other in the truck, and replaced every fuse.. I'm just not sure what you're referring to when you refer to the battery junction box? Sounds live I've not done that one yet but thought I would make sure with you first.
I guess the screw or nut on the VSS on the rear diff that Senix mentioned is extremely hard to get out for some reason. I'm not sure if it's rusted/seized up or what.
Going to check the abs light as you said. Thanks again!
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
The battery junction box is located on the driver's side, near the battery towards the firewall. It is between the brake master cylinder and the fender. If you have a copy of the owner's manual, there should be a diagram of the fuse and relay panels as well which identify, generically, which fuses do what.
-Rod
-Rod
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codes
Hi
Just double checked, the abs light does light up when I turn the ignition is on, along with the others. Now, this little air bag guy light,when I start the truck the light comes on, then it shuts off, after about 3 seconds it flashes 3 times, pauses for about 7 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for about 3 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for 3 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for 3 seconds... when the sequence is done the light stays on, the engine light is also on. All fuses were replaced already. Hmmm?
Thank you!
Just double checked, the abs light does light up when I turn the ignition is on, along with the others. Now, this little air bag guy light,when I start the truck the light comes on, then it shuts off, after about 3 seconds it flashes 3 times, pauses for about 7 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for about 3 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for 3 seconds, flashes 7 times, pauses for 3 seconds... when the sequence is done the light stays on, the engine light is also on. All fuses were replaced already. Hmmm?
Thank you!
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so frustrating
so, to sum it up I guess this truck has 3 issues: 1) Air bag light is on which I guess is a code 37 2) the check engine light is on 3) the speedo doesn't work. The abs computer has power to it since the abs light illuminates when the truck is started. Somehow I need to figure out if any of these are connected, and how to determine what is really going on so I can decide on a plan of action. Anybody know how I can get the code for the check engine light? My mechanic told me the check engine lights was most likely on because of the speedo not working... maybe if I could figure out that code it would at least be a starting point.
Thank you.
- Discouraged in NY
Thank you. - Discouraged in NY
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From: Cedar Rapids, IA
The description of the flashes doesn't really match any particular lamp fault codes, but since they are all 2 digits and none are 77 or 73, I'll assume you're getting a 37. Lamp Fault Code 37 pertains to 1 of 4 issues with the Passenger Airbag or circuit.
-Rod
-Rod
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