ABS Light
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ABS Light
I have a 97 F250 Heavy Duty, 4WD, 460. I am getting an ABS light and can't seem to trace down the problem. It doesn't look like I have front abs as there are no wheel sensors. Does anyone know a good resource to look at this before I take it to the garage?
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Joined: Mar 2001
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From: So Cal
The usual shop manuals Chiltons, Haynes etc can give more details and ideas, but some common easy stuff is...
Does your speedo dance a bit? If so, you may have a speed sensor failing or intermittant. This will set the ABS. The sensor is on the top of the diff I believe for your year.
Vacuum hoses will set the ABS or other check engine lights. I often accidentally knock the vacuum lines off the air conditioner system on the right side of my 94 460. It is easy to slip a vacuum connector off while working on the passenger side of the engine. They are vinyl plastic hoses in black rubber connectors.
Brake fluid level OK?
Just some ideas.
Jim Henderson
Does your speedo dance a bit? If so, you may have a speed sensor failing or intermittant. This will set the ABS. The sensor is on the top of the diff I believe for your year.
Vacuum hoses will set the ABS or other check engine lights. I often accidentally knock the vacuum lines off the air conditioner system on the right side of my 94 460. It is easy to slip a vacuum connector off while working on the passenger side of the engine. They are vinyl plastic hoses in black rubber connectors.
Brake fluid level OK?
Just some ideas.
Jim Henderson
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Thanks for the reply. I am not getting any CEL and the speedo is solid and steady. Brake fluid is full as well. I have not done anything to the engine either, not to say a line hasn't come off though.
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OK, I replaced the speed sensor to no avail. Is there anything I need to reset after doing this? I have the Haynes Manual and it really doesn't have any info on diagnosing this problem.
For what its worth, I am getting about 3 volts through one lead at the sensor (key on, engine off). ANy other ideas out there? Thanks!
For what its worth, I am getting about 3 volts through one lead at the sensor (key on, engine off). ANy other ideas out there? Thanks!
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The first thing to check after the fluid level is are the brake lights working?
This will sound wierd but if you scroll down a bit to the Aerostar page and a few threads down there is a similar problem. One of the replies gives a very good description for pulling the codes.
If I remember right you should find a black wire with an orange stripe with a plug connector on it, probably behind the glovebox. With the ABS light on if you momentarily ground that wire the light will blink out any stored code.
Hope this helps.
This will sound wierd but if you scroll down a bit to the Aerostar page and a few threads down there is a similar problem. One of the replies gives a very good description for pulling the codes.
If I remember right you should find a black wire with an orange stripe with a plug connector on it, probably behind the glovebox. With the ABS light on if you momentarily ground that wire the light will blink out any stored code.
Hope this helps.
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OK, the brake lights are working. I found the black wire w/ orange stripe but it is connected to a red wire.
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Post Fiend
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Acording to my book code 12 is a ECU fault, although I am not sure if that applies to your later model truck. It might be worth checking the plug connections to the ECU for a bad connection. You should find the ECU on top of the transmission tunnel and just behind the dash, grouped with the cruise ECU. If that is all good then I would think you need to look for another ECU (ebay maybe?). Just my thoughts.
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OK thanks, I have been scouring the web trying to find the codes and have found really nothing but did see one list for another vehicle that indicated the ecu. My truck is really the same as the 92-97 models, its not one of the newer super duties. Is this the same computer for the whole truck or do they have a seperate control unti just for the abs?
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From: Kernersville, NC
My abs came on and it ended up being the alternator not supply enough current so it set a trip for the light to come on. Replaced and it went off...check your alternator...Wont hurt if nothing else..
Post Fiend
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OK thanks, I have been scouring the web trying to find the codes and have found really nothing but did see one list for another vehicle that indicated the ecu. My truck is really the same as the 92-97 models, its not one of the newer super duties. Is this the same computer for the whole truck or do they have a seperate control unti just for the abs?