Brake Problem
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New User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14
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From: Casper, WY
Brake Problem
My wife was driving our 93 Explorer 4x4 the other day and said that she almost rear ended somebody because, as she was approaching a red light in traffic, the ABS kicked in and the pedal went to the floor. She remembers hearing the ABS pulsating but no lights coming on and we can't find a code in the computer. She then tells me that she's heard the ABS kick in before while driving on smooth roads but this was the first time that she lost almost all of the braking power.
We had the brakes done (pads, pack wheel bearings, pack spindle bearings, inspect calipers, turn rotors, inspect and adjust rear, bleed all four) right after buying it from a local lot so we don't know if it has a history of this problem.
I've done some extensive searches of FTE and have removed the front wheels looking for anything obvious and am coming up short. My mechanic is telling me $1200-$1800 to replace the ABS components and says they're difficult to troubleshoot so the best bet is to replace everything but I don't think that's true.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks,
John
We had the brakes done (pads, pack wheel bearings, pack spindle bearings, inspect calipers, turn rotors, inspect and adjust rear, bleed all four) right after buying it from a local lot so we don't know if it has a history of this problem.
I've done some extensive searches of FTE and have removed the front wheels looking for anything obvious and am coming up short. My mechanic is telling me $1200-$1800 to replace the ABS components and says they're difficult to troubleshoot so the best bet is to replace everything but I don't think that's true.
Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks,
John
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 576
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From: Cameron, OK
Hi and Welcome to FTE... I talked a couple of weeks ago on here with a guy who's ABS light was coming on all the time, it may not have any relivance to your situation but it was a 94 Explorer, here is the link and the suggestions he received.
ABS Light
If I were going to start anywhere and I didn't have any codes to start with I would check the proportioning valve, sounds like it may have stuck for some reason and typically that is caused by air in the system, could be that it needs to be bled but in most cases these things will cause you ABS light to come on, unless the bulb is burned out or something? Do you have any fluid leak at the master cylinder? I've had my ABS engage a few times, and I felt some vibration from the front tires, but never any difference in pedal travel... that would scare me.
Welcome again and good luck...
I noticed you were from WY, I lived there for a few years when I was a kid.... In Big Piney, we still have some friends up there that do guided horseback tours that live in Casper.
ABS Light
If I were going to start anywhere and I didn't have any codes to start with I would check the proportioning valve, sounds like it may have stuck for some reason and typically that is caused by air in the system, could be that it needs to be bled but in most cases these things will cause you ABS light to come on, unless the bulb is burned out or something? Do you have any fluid leak at the master cylinder? I've had my ABS engage a few times, and I felt some vibration from the front tires, but never any difference in pedal travel... that would scare me.
Welcome again and good luck...
I noticed you were from WY, I lived there for a few years when I was a kid.... In Big Piney, we still have some friends up there that do guided horseback tours that live in Casper.
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
From: Webster, NY
I just posted almost the exact same question about a friend's Explorer... it does the same thing as your wife's truck. If I find more I will post it here. In his case brake fluid was bled, some brake parts were replaced, and it still did not solve the problem.
