Help Please,

I have read some of the posts regarding the ABS light. I need some more advise. My Explorer is a 1997 2WD with 154K miles. I have done the following:
-Front wheel speed sensors have been cleaned and the sensor area blown out with compressed air to clean it up. It wasn't that dirty.
-Rear differential speed sensor was removed, cleaned then re-installed.
-Both front and the one rear Wheel speed sensors have been checked for resistance. All 3 have a resistance of about 1100 ohms.
-All brake wheel cylinders have been bled and I used about a quart of brake fluid.
-Rear pads replaced 5K miles ago. Front pads were replaced 15K miles ago.

The ABS light still does not go out. My AutoZone's diagnostic tool will not read ABS codes. My past experience (with engine problems) with the dealer and their code reader technicians was not good so I don't really want to go there again. They just want to replace parts without testing them out.

My questions are.....

-Does it take several "drive cycles" for the on board computer to turn off the ABS light or is there a reset procedure for the light?
- Is there a good brand of code reader that can read ABS codes and narrow things down to a specific sensor or module or whatever may be wrong? SnapOn??
- Where can I get more specific "resistance" specifications for the speed sensors? I want to know an acceptable range of resistance.

All advise appreciated.

Thanks,
1997 Exploder does it again.

 

I don't think resistance is the important factor. I'm pretty sure those are hall effect sensors. To test them you need a scope as a minimum, and for test procedure beyond that, I really don't know. As far as scanner that can pull the codes, hard to say, but it would probably take a top of the line scanner than can plug into the ABS diagnostic port. Or you may have to take it to a shop.

 

Thanks Bear River,
Your info is appreciated. I thought the ABS codes would be accessed through the OBD II port just like the engine codes. I wasn't aware of a seperate ABS diagnostic port. Where would I find this?

Thanks again,

 

I am not sure about the the Explorer...But I had an ABS light on my 2000 F-150 and it was the ABS sensor that is mounted on top of the rear end differental..It was about $25.00 part and I replaced myself...Very easy...It fixed my problem.

 

Thanks Ranger

 

You do need to clear the code before the ABS light will go out, after fixing the problem. Just disconnect the battery for a few minutes.

If the light still stays on, I'd replace the rear diff sensor. Like Ranger372 says, it's cheap and easy, and these sensors are trouble-prone. When I replaced mine, the old/bad one read an open, and the new one was around 1300 ohms if I remember correctly.

 

I had to replace the rear sensor on my wife's '02 Explorer. The ABS light stayed on all the time and the mechanic said it was worth a shot to change it but who knows if that will fix it (meaning it could be a number of other things). I came on here and noticed it happens on alot of these so I changed it out and voila, no more ABS light... Might be worth it just to change 'em.

I didn't have to reset anything when I put the new sensor in, fired it up and never saw the light again...

 

I did the same as 2000silverbullet above and came here and decided to change the ABS sensor on the rear diff in hopes the ABS light would go out. Problem solved, for less than $40.

Thank you Ford Truck Enthusiasts.

 

Ive Replaced the Passenger side sensor and the light is still on. Auto Enginuity Keeps throwing a RF Wheel speed sensor low voltage input. I have checked all the connections. any ideas?

 

Have you checked the reference voltage to the sensor? I've not seen it on Fords yet, but on several GM products I've found corroded wires and connectors to speed sensors causing ABS codes due to intermittent ABS signals, especially during wet weather. If your vehicle was ever in an accident in that corner I'd suggest you start your search in that area.

Also, does Auto Enginuity give you a code number, or just the code description? If you have the code number and the model year information we could look up "possible causes" and see if anything jumps out.

-Rod