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ABS Sensor

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Old Feb 20, 2002 | 09:16 PM
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I have a 1995 E350 chassis on my motorhome. The ABS light comes on after coming down a hill using brakes. The light goes out when I turn the engine off. When I drive it again and the brakes are used a lot, the light comes on again. A mechanic told me that Ford vans have a sensor on the rear axle that goes bad. Does anyone know about this sensor?
 
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Old Feb 20, 2002 | 09:36 PM
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ABS Sensor

I know about the sensor, it should be on the top of ur rear differential. I believe it is just a magnet so there isn't much to go wrong with it. This is just an ABS speed sensor however, it sends a message to your speedometer, which changes the signal and sends it to the computer to meter out the air/fuel ratio. The magnet picks up off i believe another magnet on the ring gear in the differential.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2002 | 12:04 PM
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ABS Sensor

Yeah, at least on my 94 F250, it is on the top front of the differential, about the size of a walnut with a wire or two connected to it. It does fail. It costs about $12, or the dealer will be happy to charge you $60 or so. It is very easy to remove and replace. it affects the speedo, the ABS and the cruise control to my knowledge and past experience. Mine failed at about 60,000 miles.

Good Luck,

Jim Henderson
 
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Old Feb 21, 2002 | 12:34 PM
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ABS Sensor

I don't see how it could malfunction, its just a magnet, maybe your's had some corrosion buildup on the connection of the wires?
 
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Old Feb 21, 2002 | 08:48 PM
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ABS Sensor

Actually the sensor can get fouled up with metal from the rearend best bet is to disconnect the electrical connection remove the sensor check and clean it then reinstall then drive it around to see if that cures the problem. Yes I know its only 12 bucks but hey it all adds up....
 
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Old Feb 21, 2002 | 10:46 PM
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Post ABS Sensor

Thanks for the info. The motorhome only has 18,000 miles on it, so I hope that junk from the ring and pinion is not causing a problem at that low of mileage. I'll try the remove and clean routine before I give Ford any money.
 
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Old Feb 21, 2002 | 11:55 PM
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ABS Sensor

it can fail because the two wire coil around the magnet and pick up on the eletrical field made by the magnet... it could be the reluctor ring too... (that is the tooth wheel that the magnet uses for its signal)
 
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Old Feb 23, 2002 | 12:32 PM
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Post ABS Sensor

Being that low in miles, it could have a bad tone-ring from the factory. That would be the only way the tone-ring would be bad unless someone has been in the differential.

 
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Old Feb 25, 2002 | 07:41 PM
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ABS Sensor

the tone ring could get hammered from debris sloshing around in the rear. see that alot at the dealer. the teeth on it get smashed and the sensor gets a false reading. i would pull the cover off the rear and inspect the insides. a spider gear could have broke or something which causes a chain reaction. do it before the bill gets high $$$
 
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Old Feb 25, 2002 | 07:43 PM
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ABS Sensor

 
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