Hi everyone. This is my first post, and I'd like to start with a big thank you to this community. I bought a 2000 7.3 Limited back in July, and you have helped me solve a few problems already.
When I bought it, the SES light was on. My cheapo Bluetooth reader can't read the codes, but a trip to Advance Auto Parts got the code read, and it turned out to be the glow plug controller. A quick search here helped me locate it and replace it. I wish all repairs were so easy.
Two days later, the truck died at a stoplight, then the SES light came back on. Code indicated the output shaft speed sensor was faulty. Once again, instructions here helped me find it and replace it. Of course, it didn't solve the problem, so digging deeper in the forum pointed me to the alternator. I thought that was a long shot since that seems like a weird solution, and because my alternator was not OEM and therefore I assume recently replaced (only 88k on the truck). But I took the truck to the auto parts place, and the alternator failed the bench test. I never would have solved that one without this communities help, so thank you!

I've got a new problem with the ABS system, and I can't get the code read at any of the auto parts stores with their readers. Before I spend $ at the Ford dealer to get the code read, I figured I'd ask here for ideas.

The light came on when I went over a hump in the road. It was a back road, and it's the kind of hump that makes you feel weightless for a split second. Right after that, I noticed the light on. I checked the connection of all three sensors and reseated them, but no luck. I don't think it's the rear sensor (VSS) because the speedometer is working fine, but I don't see any issues with the fronts (plenty of slack in the cables, etc.)

Any suggestions, or should I just pony up and get the codes read?

 

Depends on how much it's going to cost you to get the codes read, you do need a "better" scanner to get ABS codes. You can replace a sensor for less than $50 so might be a time where throwing a part it is cheaper than scanning. I had a similar issue a while back -I did have a scanner that reads ABS and was getting the following codes.

C1155 - Left front wheel speed input circuit failure
C1145 - Right front wheel speed input circuit failure
C1148 - Right front wheel speed sensor coherency fault
C1234 - Right front wheel speed sensor input signal missing

Then I pulled the sensors and here is a picture of one.....in hindsight I didn't need a code to tell me that was broken. I'd just pull them out and a look, if they are bad you can probably tell by looking. Replace them and see if your light goes away.

$47 from Rock Auto 2000 FORD EXCURSION ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

 

I forgot to update this for the benefit of those searching in the future. The ABS light was a direct result imminent bearing failure I was about to experience. The shavings from the bearing coming apart is what caused the sensor to fail.

 

Wow...

Good thing you caught that.

Thanks for updating everyone.

I wish everybody did that so we could know the results.

 

Wow! What caused the sensor to break apart (as per the photo shown above). I replaced mine because the Ford engineers in their wisdom to save money on wiring, designed the wiring assembly in a way that it would rub up against the control arm. I emailed Ford about this and received a generic BS reply. All it would've taken was 1" of additional wiring to eliminate the problem. I sometimes think that they design parts to fail purposely.

 

HEY PANOS : WELCOME to the world of XXX's