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This is a new problem after replacing front rotors and brakes.
My ABS system operates perfectly when driving in icy conditions and the
ABS System failure light is not on.
Problem is when slowing on a dry surface gently pressing the brake pedal
it starts clicking similar to the ABS system sensing a skinding wheel
and the harder I press the more clicking and am unable to stop the vehicle.
The pedal is pushing back at me and have to use two feet to seemingly
overcoming the ABS system bringing the vehicle to a stop. Doesn't happen
all the time but when it does it's scary.
Removing the ABS fuse, the brakes operate normally and this problem
doesn't happen so I need some advice as to what the problem could be.
Thanks for that. I understood that the abs system does a self check and if it fails the abs light would show.
I would like to hear from a few others and my thoughts are a dirty sensor shouldn't cause the braking system to fail.
I don't mind the abs system not working due to a dirty sensor but not make a hard pedal where I can't stop the vehicle.
I really appreciate your response and just trying to get to the logic of why a braking system would fail with no warning.
Forgot to mention 2000 Excursion 4x4 V10 in good shape for it's age, and will definitely put cleaning the sensors on the list when weather gets a little warmer..
I have had dirty sensors cause issues without setting the light. However, since you just replaced the brakes; how did you bleed the brake calipers back down? Did you clean and grease the slide pins?
Just another thing to check. Are all your tires the same size, have you checked pressures for a low tire? If the sensor detects a tire spinning at a different speed than the others it will activate the ABS system.
I could here the front axle actuators clicking on my Kenworth. The tone rings weren't damaged, but were rusty and didn't have crisp sharp edges anymore. We replaced the tone rings and the problem went away. So, yes, dirty or rusty sensors and tone rings can cause problems.
Thanks, Compressing the pistons to get the pads on seemed to be fine, I have a good pedal. Greased the slide pins as they were my problem originally. Tires are all the same and maintain equal pressure in them. More I read suggests I need to clean the sensors so thanks for that, will be getting them done next week. I'll be back with info on what I found...
Many thanks...
Sensors are first thing to try, then I would be looking at the rubber flexible lines. After that I would test the ABS control module...it's a simple test utilizing a paper clip. I had a similar issue that also wouldn't set the SES light and the module tested bad.
Its a failure of the sensor or tone ring, The slower signal is more prone to being irregular, the ABS controller senses a non-existant skid and is going through the motions of a non-existent skid. Probably more time then not there is no pressure going to the caliper in an effort to stop the skid. It doesn't take much damage or debris.
You can screw around with the pads, calipers, ABS valves ....... you'll be back to this.
Considering you got the brake real hot after replacing the rotors and pads on your 4x4 due to rusted in place slide pins, the sensor or the hub itself may be damaged from the high temperature. With the 4x4 the tone ring is inside the hub. Since you probably don't have the test equipment to watch the signal, a visual inspection of the sensor is in order. And I would be changing that out even if it looked good first, the hub is a lot of work and expensive.
Cleaning the surface of the sensor may work if there is a lot of debris and no melting, including cooked grease.
I have not had a problem with Ford abs systems usually, but I know when the sensor/bearing causes this effect on a Chevy/GM which leads you to need to replace the wheel bearing because the sensor is shot and built into the wheel bearing.
My understanding from working on both Ford and GM, the Ford is just replacing the sensor 90% of the time while on a GM product you have to replace the wheel bearing because the sensor is built into the wheel bearing itself.
While doing the front 4x4 u-joints the Ford abs sensor plastic broke apart on the driver side causing the Abs light to turn on. I was more careful on the passenger side and kept it intact.
I did get 2 new sensors, that is my next project as soon as deer hunting season is over in a couple weeks.
