Intermittent ABS Light
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Intermittent ABS Light
I have a 97 F350 with the 460 and E4OD transmission. The last couple of drives over about 20 miles, the ABS light has come on while sitting stopped at a red light. The light stays on until I shut the truck off.
When I restart the truck, the light goes through it's little test and goes out. No blinking. The light never seems to come on during short trips of less than 10 miles.
Any ideas? Two other random events happening as well. Occassionally during braking, it seems like the antilock kicks in...but no ABS light and the speedo needle will occassionally jump around.
Vehicle Speed Sensor maybe?
When I restart the truck, the light goes through it's little test and goes out. No blinking. The light never seems to come on during short trips of less than 10 miles.
Any ideas? Two other random events happening as well. Occassionally during braking, it seems like the antilock kicks in...but no ABS light and the speedo needle will occassionally jump around.
Vehicle Speed Sensor maybe?
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,968
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From: So Cal
Ah the speedo needle jumping is usually the symptom of a bad speed sensor and the ABS light coming on.
An easy and cheap fix. The sensor costs something like $15. If you have the dealer do it it is something like $60. Anyone who can turn a wrench can do it in less than 10 minutes, unless there is a problem with the sensor ring inside the diff.
The sensor is about the size of a walnut and sits on the front top of the differential. It is usually the only thing with wires on it sitting on the diff.
Just remove and replace. Check the old sensor for debris and also take a look inside the sensor port for debris. If you have debris you will need to open the diff and clean it out and replace the sensor ring. I have not had ring failure but I hear it is not hard to replace.
One other possibility on the 460's. If you do any engine work on the passenger side of the engine, you will almost for sure knock one of the hard plastic vacuum lines loose from the air conditioning box. Sometimes the plug is just loose and leaking air or sometimes the plug and lines are completely pulled off. These lines will cause problems with ABS, Engine control, cruise etc. Just check all the plastic vacuum lines whenevef you have a problem, a free and easy fix.
But almost sure your sensor is dying since the speedo jumps.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
An easy and cheap fix. The sensor costs something like $15. If you have the dealer do it it is something like $60. Anyone who can turn a wrench can do it in less than 10 minutes, unless there is a problem with the sensor ring inside the diff.
The sensor is about the size of a walnut and sits on the front top of the differential. It is usually the only thing with wires on it sitting on the diff.
Just remove and replace. Check the old sensor for debris and also take a look inside the sensor port for debris. If you have debris you will need to open the diff and clean it out and replace the sensor ring. I have not had ring failure but I hear it is not hard to replace.
One other possibility on the 460's. If you do any engine work on the passenger side of the engine, you will almost for sure knock one of the hard plastic vacuum lines loose from the air conditioning box. Sometimes the plug is just loose and leaking air or sometimes the plug and lines are completely pulled off. These lines will cause problems with ABS, Engine control, cruise etc. Just check all the plastic vacuum lines whenevef you have a problem, a free and easy fix.
But almost sure your sensor is dying since the speedo jumps.
Good Luck,
Jim Henderson
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Part Number?
Thanks for the information. I thought that might be the problem, but it's nice to get some confirmation before jumping in and tearing stuff apart.
Next question....any part numbers for that speed sensor. I just looked it up on a local auto part supplier and the only speed sensor they show is the one at the transmission.
Next question....any part numbers for that speed sensor. I just looked it up on a local auto part supplier and the only speed sensor they show is the one at the transmission.
