Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

ABS question -

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 04:42 PM
  #1  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

ABS question -

Hey all- I drove the truck today getting ready to go on vacation & the abs light came on & stays on - Checked fluid- It's ok- Truck stops good. Can I drive it like this or does this need immediate attention ? Tia, Bill Also three or 4 weeks ago the dash lights were jumping while driving. I pulled & cleaned battery terminals & no problem since. Battery voltage is 14.3 at idle .
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 04:48 PM
  #2  
Sous's Avatar
Sous
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Veteran: Air Force
Community Builder
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 27,354
Likes: 5,946
From: Lake Hartwell, GA
FTE Emeritus
Check the electrical connections and clean them. There are two under a flap just behind the drivers side headlight and then the one on top of the rear differential.

For the two in the front, I found I could reach one from under the truck and one from the engine bay.

Clean them, check for corrosion and see if the light goes out.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 05:03 PM
  #3  
DieselDenny's Avatar
DieselDenny
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 58
From: East Tawas, MI
You can safely drive.

Does your peddle have any erratic movement when brakes are applied?

Don't tell Mueller, but I've disabled mine for 12 years because I plow, and when I want to stop, I stop. (great here comes the collusion thing).

Stormy daniels pulled the stubs if that matters????!!!

Denny
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 05:21 PM
  #4  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Sous - I checked the connections by ds battery - All looks ok there. I didnt take them apart though.
Diesel Denny - Pedal feels normal. Truck stops good like usual. I'll be pulling the 5er 1500 miles like this though. May see if I can get the codes read tomorrow, maybe something simple (vss). Could old fluid cause this, although I flushed it about 2 years ago & it dont look real dirty? Thanks guys, keep the ideas coming. Much appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 05:49 PM
  #5  
hydro man 17's Avatar
hydro man 17
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 1,910
Likes: 2
From: Hat Creek Ca
Maybe I am way to old school, but are there not sensors (optical) that actually detect the rotor movement? I had a similar situation recently after sitting for for several months. After driving for about 20 miles it cleared up.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 06:24 PM
  #6  
DieselDenny's Avatar
DieselDenny
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,767
Likes: 58
From: East Tawas, MI
Hydro, pretty sure everything is electromagnetic.

As far as the ABS.......if all feels good......drive it. The only real advice I can offer without digging in is to drop off both Negs on the batteries. 10 minutes should do a total reset, and see if it pops up again. If you don't have a feedback in your pedal, something electrical for sure. I don't think the sensor on the rear diff is in play. Do you off road at all, and could you have a booger up front on either wheel???

Denny (BTW does your cruise control work correctly?)
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 07:12 PM
  #7  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Denny - No off roading at all. Strictly rv pulling. Could be a front wheel bugger. Gonna call mechanic down the road & see if he has time to check it tomorrow just to play it safe. Had this happen to me years ago on a 99 chevy. Drove it all the way home with no problem, about 350 miles pulling rv also. Wound up being control module circuit board, If memory serves. If it was me alone I would just roll with it but the wife knows about it & she's ready to cancel the trip,lol
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 07:16 PM
  #8  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Thanks again guys - This site & everybody here is the best
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-3

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 07:57 PM
  #9  
jhl3's Avatar
jhl3
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,404
Likes: 3
From: Asheville-where weird is
I had a 2WD F250 about 16 to 18 years ago. It had issues with the ABS light that had parts thrown at it out of the ying yang by a Ford mechanic while it was still under warranty even though the codes showed DS and PS wheel sensor.

I finally gave up on Ford and decided to give it a go myself after the truck had been at the dealership a sum total of 2 weeks. Long story short: check the tightness on the spindle nuts. The ones on that truck left the factory under-torqued and evidently it was just enough that the Hall Effect sensors were having intermittent connection/signal issues. I tightened them to spec and the problem was solved. IIRC it drove a bit straighter with less wander as well.

Once you get the codes, please let us know what was found.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 08:59 PM
  #10  
pirschwagon's Avatar
pirschwagon
More Turbo
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 717
Likes: 9
When the ABS Lamp Illuminates constantly, the ABS is disabled. Meaning, you have no ABS. You can drive it with absolutely no issues whatsoever. Just remember, you do not have ABS. That's it.

You need to retrieve the Stored DTC's from the ECM which will identify what issue is causing the Module to fail it's self-check procedure at start up. The, begin the troubleshooting process. It could be an open-circuit, defective Tone-Ring or similar. Most often, easily corrected.
 
Reply
Old Apr 10, 2018 | 09:13 PM
  #11  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Jhl1- I did the front brakes, pads ,rotors complete a couple years ago & repacked front bearings. Pretty sure all is tight but I will check in the am for sure. I will let you all know what it is when I get it squared away.
Pirshwagon- If mechanic cant check codes for me tomorrow gonna probly just head south & take it easy.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2018 | 07:59 AM
  #12  
00Dave's Avatar
00Dave
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,377
Likes: 3
From: Oklahoma
Drove mine quite a while with the light on. Never any issues. I did have mine scanned when the light stayed on and the diagnosis was left front sensor. Also, I pulled the sensor and tested it with a meter. It did test faulty. When I replaced the hub assembly it had a new sensor on it. Light went out after that.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2018 | 10:35 AM
  #13  
HD Rider's Avatar
HD Rider
Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,137
Likes: 13
From: Glendive, MT
Add

I know this isn't going to help fix your ABS but...
i grew up driving before ABS was heard of. While it may be a nice safety feature to have, nothing beats learning proper skid control.
ABS light just means it is not active and you'll have to use your skid control skills if there is an emergency.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2018 | 10:54 AM
  #14  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Thread Starter
|
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by HD Rider
I know this isn't going to help fix your ABS but...
i grew up driving before ABS was heard of. While it may be a nice safety feature to have, nothing beats learning proper skid control.
ABS light just means it is not active and you'll have to use your skid control skills if there is an emergency.
HD Rider - I here you about before abs. My 63 Olds 98 or my 66 Impala did'nt have abs. They stopped fine. Did have it scanned this am- -He said pass. front sensor bad. He did'nt have time to mess with it so we are gonna go ahead & roll. Funny part is the light was off this morning when I started her up to head to the shop.
 
Reply
Old Apr 11, 2018 | 12:07 PM
  #15  
F250_'s Avatar
F250_
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
My ABS light has been on ever since I replaced both of my front rotors several years ago. I believe that the reluctor rings on my new rotors was probably pressed in too far when they were installed because I'm getting error codes for each of the front wheels. Regardless, the light drove me nuts for a while, and it still bothers me, but the truck brakes were just fine. What I've learned though is that as long as your light is on, you no longer have ABS functionality, and that just means that you can lock 'em up in a hard stop.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:11 PM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE