Wanted to know if anybody had has this problem with their ABS. My ABS light on my dash is on and the ABS is not working. But It has gone off and the ABS works. It works then it doesn't. Now it is snowy and wet. Also It just started doing this this storm/ I'm in NJ. Any thoughts. Thanks in advance.

 

Sorry I can't help. I'm too naive, but yes I've got same problem only it's no longer intermittant. Even before this, my brakes always locked so I'm happier now that I KNOW for SURE that they will not do ABS. I think it's a dirty wheel sensor which would mean removing the brake rotor but that' s too much work for me not knowing for sure. I'm in NY and travel to NJ daily so yeah, it's scary. I just fixed my 4WD yesterday while off from work due to storm. Before fixing that I think my Bronc was a deathtrap. 1 1/2 tons of inertia with no brakes or 4WD.

Problem too, is that the warning light could be any problem along the pathway. Hopefully someone can help us both.

 

I had this same problem for the longest time. Intermittent ABS light and irregular braking under rapid application. Two years ago I took the rear drums in to be turned and found they were out of limits. I put new drums on and the light went out...hasn't been a problem since. May not solve your problem but it worked for me.

Sticky
1987 Bronco (Eddie Bauer)
302 EFI

 

Hey all, I'm back. Well, sort of.
I have an 89 Bronco XLT that I had for about a year. Had nothing but problems with it, after several months. Cracked and/or broken exhaust manifolds that I replaced with a set of hedman headers. And quite a few other problems.

One main problem I had was the brake system. ABS Light & the Emergency Light both came on intermittently. So I started to do a Complete rebuild of the brakes.

Started off with the rear end. Complete rebuild with Rotors in the rear, Eaton limited slip, 4.10 gear ratio(originally had 3.55), and Dutchman Motor Sport axles, new ABS Sensor. When I was pulling the drums off the axle housing, I found out that the wheel cylinders on both sides were rusted on the inside real bad. Put the rebuilt rear axle back on. man o man what an improvement.

I drove the rig up to the shop to have the front differential rebuilt with limited slip, 4.10 gear ratio, all new bearings, and Warn manual Locking hubs.

Well driving home from the shop, the rest of my braking system had failed, when I needed it the most, and ended up rear ending someone on the freeway. What a mess! The Master cylinder has a leak that I didn't see before hand. And I am sure that the ABS computer Module is probably bad too. The ECU = Electronic Control Unit, and the HCU = Hydraulic Control Unit maybe bad too.

I love the Bronco too much to just dump it. Especially with the amount of money that I had spent on this rig. It's been sitting since November. Haven't had a chance to go off road yet in it. Planning on doing a full restoration on it within the next few months.

Hey, guys, what years are your rigs? I know that on the 89's ABS is for the rear only. There is a Sensor on the rear axle on top of the differential, it could be bad (I'm not sure how to test) but is probably the cheapest part in the whole ABS system (About $30, I think). Check the rear drum wheel cylinders. Could also be the ABS computer Module (89 located under dash, behind ashtray I think), or the HCU or even the master cylinder. It could be any number of things in the system to be causing the problem. If your not sure about doing these checks yourself, at least take it to shop to do a complete check on everything envolving the brake system. Please don't let what happened to me happen to you. On years below 94 (I think), There is no memory for when these errors occure in the brakes system. So when you turn you auto off the error codes will be erased. If you can, when the warning lights come on for the brakes, take to get checked. Maybe the dealer could help with this.

Good Luck
Tite4x4

 

90 Bronco: Had some intermittant ABS/Emergency light flashes each time I drove from Dallas to Taos. Seems like below twenty degrees F, the brake pedal gets hard like loss of power assist, when this happens. It's fine now and I've not laid a hand on it. ABS is likely just a carry over from F-150's, as this heavy beast probably couldn't lock up the rear drums anyhow. I'm sure some may disagree. Bronco and Mustang brakes always been poor in my experience, but the brake systems were not designed specifically for the vehicle, in both cases. So I've babbled, but I'd like to hear of any practical knowledge on the subject.

 

yo tie!
sorry to hear about that!..bad times indeed!
as for my bronco..i am lucky to have a 96..with 4 wheel abs and an air bag..

as fo the abs..look at these posts:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/dcforum/80_96/3372.html

could be as simple as cleaning or replacing the ring.

 

Hey Aim,
Thanks for the concern, #@#!@! happens.
I wish I had the four wheel ABS System on my rig. One of the things I'm planning on doing is adding that type of system on my rig when I do the rebuild.

Hey Kyle11,
there was a posting on this sight that was suggested for the 89 Bronco that might work on the 90's. But the posting said that Master Cylinder and the vaccuum pump from an 89 F-250 rig will work for the Bronco. I forget the address I'll have to find it. As far as this working on the mustangs I'm not sure, Probably not.

Good Luck all
TITE 4x4

 

look your having break problems. Join the club. Most people don't realise that most brake shops don't know how 2 do it right. I took my 89 ford bronco to the ford dealer cause my friend works there as a master macanic and he made my breaks work so good I could not beleave it. I was amazed how they worked so well. I will never let uncle bobs brake service do my brakes every again!

 

my experience with Ford service centers has be mediocre, at best. you are lucky to know of a factory service center with any mechanic that knows more than simple parts swapping.