ABS problems after new rotors
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Hills
ABS problems after new rotors
Yesterday I swapped out the rotors and put in new brake pads on my truck. Since then, when the truck is first started, the ABS seems to kick in on the first brake, then afterwards the ABS light goes on and ABS is unavailable.
My truck - 2001 Ford Ranger supercab XLT, 4 wheel ABS, 287mm rotors. I had previously had run down the brake pads to the metal, which was why I was replacing the rotors.
The rotors and pads are Duralasts that I got at Autozone. The rotors seem identical to the ones I pulled off the truck, and did include the timing wheel for the ABS. When I was changing the rotors, I noticed rusted metal particles on the ABS sensors, which I knocked off with my fingertip.
I've already checked that the wires are plugged in everywhere, as my first hope was that I had simply knocked a wire loose while working down there. I also "rebooted" the computer by unhooking the battery for 15 minutes. I have a Haynes manual, and it doesn't have much information regarding the ABS system.
I've read on the board that you can get the ABS codes read at Autozone or something similar. Where is the plug for that?
Any suggestions on what I should be looking for, or something simple that I've overlooked? Or do I just need to bring it in to a dealer, admit that my mechanic skills are limited, and ask them to fix it?
Henry
My truck - 2001 Ford Ranger supercab XLT, 4 wheel ABS, 287mm rotors. I had previously had run down the brake pads to the metal, which was why I was replacing the rotors.
The rotors and pads are Duralasts that I got at Autozone. The rotors seem identical to the ones I pulled off the truck, and did include the timing wheel for the ABS. When I was changing the rotors, I noticed rusted metal particles on the ABS sensors, which I knocked off with my fingertip.
I've already checked that the wires are plugged in everywhere, as my first hope was that I had simply knocked a wire loose while working down there. I also "rebooted" the computer by unhooking the battery for 15 minutes. I have a Haynes manual, and it doesn't have much information regarding the ABS system.
I've read on the board that you can get the ABS codes read at Autozone or something similar. Where is the plug for that?
Any suggestions on what I should be looking for, or something simple that I've overlooked? Or do I just need to bring it in to a dealer, admit that my mechanic skills are limited, and ask them to fix it?
Henry
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Williamson, NY
When you installed the new rotors and pads, did you compress the caliper back into its bore w/o opening the bleeder screw to allow the brake fluid to escape? Pushing the brake fluid back to the master cylinder with out opening the bleeder screw can damage the ABS system. As you may have heard brake fluid is hygroscopic (absorbs water) and this can cause the internal metal surfaces to rust. This rust flakes off and tends to settle in low points in the brake system like calipers and wheel cylinders. When you compress the caliper back into its bore w/o opening the bleeder screw this rust can flow through and damage the ABS valving and internal filters. You might try bleeding your brake system and flush out the old fluid and replace it with new fluid fluid. This might fix your ABS problem and it is good to flush your brake system every two years any way. Good luck.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 0
Put the truck up on jack stands, put the key in the on position. Backprobe your abs sensors at the wheel with a digital multi meter set to AC voltage. If they are not showing a classic sine wave they are bad. On top of this, if the rust you pulled off the sensor was part of the face of the sensor you may have opened the air gap too far for the system to see that there is a tone ring at the wheel, which would cause an ABS situation to arise. Also, like stated above you should flush the system.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 19,768
Likes: 1,082
From: St Louis
I've read on the board that you can get the ABS codes read at Autozone or something similar. Where is the plug for that?
The ABS computer cannot be reset like a PCM can be by removing power. There's a different procedure that requires the proper scan tool.
I would not be surprised if you eventually find that the quality of the AZ rotors is the reason for your new fault.
Steve
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mikulskn
1997 - 2006 Expedition & Navigator
7
Jun 26, 2013 11:23 PM
4.0 Beast
Explorer, Sport Trac, Mountaineer & Aviator
5
Apr 2, 2011 08:40 AM
