Hello. wanted to know if anyone has had to reprogram ABS brakes? I removed the old batteries and was told this is the problem with the ABS. Anyone else have any ideas. they work fine then start engaging while drivine down the road.
thanks

 

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I've never heard or "reprogramming" them, but that doesn't mean much.

What's the vehicle? What problem are you trying to fix?

 

Year?
Make?
Model?
RABS or ABS?
Have you pulled any codes?

 

is your abs light on while driving ??? it dont mean you wont have brakes ...need to be serviced soon as possiable thou

 

ford F350 4x4 1999 I switched out batteries and drove the old truck for awhile then the wife wanted the big boy and put batteries back. since then the brakes will work then start grabbing and if you keep driving the whole body starts to vibrate. I can tell the brakes are gripping more because the motor will not upshift due to the drag. I have bled the line and they will work for awhile then start again. I called a mechanic and that is who suggested reprograming, he knew that I took out the batteries without me telling him. As far as I can tell he is the only one who knows about reprograming.?? Any suggestions are welcome

rockyroadfarm
no dummy brake light on at any time no codes pulled (unable) ABS

 

I did a little looking into your question.

With 4wabs(4 wheel abs) the controlls for the abs system are within the main ecm. Disconecting a battery does not undo programing of the abs system. There can be some rough running issues while the adaptive systems relearn. But the braking system is a non adaptive system and should remain unaffected.

The symptoms you described do hint to other issues.

Brabbing more and more as you drive the vehicle can indicate a bad flex hose,(the ruber reinforced hose that generally goes from the hard brake line to the caliper or the union for the rear lines at the differential for the rear) what happens is the line comes apart inside and doesn't allow the fluid pressure to drop after you release the brake. After a few stops the pressure increases and holds the brakes firmly in place. This cuases that dragging you experienced. This can cause an increase in fluid temperature and even cause the fluid to boil in the line. which leads to vapor lock. Both these conditions,(bad hose and vapor lock), can set the abs light.

Another possibility is you have a bad wheel cylinder or more likely a bad caliper. Calipers can get out of alignment if the pads are to worn and cuase the same grabing sensation. If I am not mistaken you have twin piston calipers on this vehicle. Which has slide pins to allow for movement of the caliper. These pins can get rusted and also cause issues.


here are somesimple checks to help narrow the field of possible cuases. the firstis to do a gravity bleed on your brakes. Do one wheel at a time. If you get a steady flow of fluid at all 4 wheels the problem is probably not your flex lines. Next try compressing the caliper pistons. there are two ways to do this. Remove the wheels and grab a big screw driver or a big c clamp. c clamp is prefered. Put clamp on back side of caliper and other side on the metal part of the pad that is facing outward. screw the clamp together. (there will be some resistance) With a steady constant pressure you should see the caliper assembly move off of the pad. No need to fully compress the pistons. If you get movement without alot of effort that usualy eliminates the pistons as the issue. After you have the piston compressed you can remove one of the slide pins and remove the caliper if the pins are rusted or you are having trouble removing the caliper that would indicate aslide pin issue. While you are there check your pad thikness, no need to do all of this and not take note of wether you need new pads or not.

If none of that seems to do the trick... seek professional help.

HTH

 

I would learn how to and then pull the codes. I have heard of failed wheel speed sensors causing odd ABS operation, but short of diagnostics it's just guessing.

 

You can actually reset the ABS or cycle the brake fluid with a scan tool. They are pricey so you might want to talk to a Technician. If the ABS light is on the circuit is open so the system will resort to non ABS braking. If the light is on first check the wheel sensors they are the most common ABS problem. They are magnetic so they can pick up metal shavings from the brake rotors. They also tend to break the wires or get damaged by the elements.