ABS RSC Warning Light
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2004
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ABS RSC Warning Light
I appreciate any ideas that will help me diagnose what is tripping the warning light for the ABS/RSC system. We have a 2008 Explorer, 2-wheel drive, with the V8 engine. It has just over 16,000 mile on it.
Intermittently, when we hit the brakes, there is a slight sensation of jerking and roughness. The ABS RSC warning light and beeping occurs on occasion as well. If I go really easy on the brakes, all is well.
I have removed and inspected all brake pads. They look fine; so do the rotors. I have also inflated the tires so that they are perfectly equal.
I'm not sure how the RSC system is suppose to operate. I suspect that a sensor is relaying that the system should be activated, which causes the brakes to perform differently and the alarm to go sound. Both the ABS and the RSC warning lights turn on. I'm guessing that I may have a bad sensor somewhere, but I don't know where they are or how to test them.
Can anyone help?
Intermittently, when we hit the brakes, there is a slight sensation of jerking and roughness. The ABS RSC warning light and beeping occurs on occasion as well. If I go really easy on the brakes, all is well.
I have removed and inspected all brake pads. They look fine; so do the rotors. I have also inflated the tires so that they are perfectly equal.
I'm not sure how the RSC system is suppose to operate. I suspect that a sensor is relaying that the system should be activated, which causes the brakes to perform differently and the alarm to go sound. Both the ABS and the RSC warning lights turn on. I'm guessing that I may have a bad sensor somewhere, but I don't know where they are or how to test them.
Can anyone help?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
Certainly this should still be covered under warranty. Why not let the dealership perform the diagnostics and repair? If you get in there and end up breaking a connector or sensor, they may just void the warranty for that item.
I agree that the problem is likely a sensor, and probably one of the wheel speed sensors. The dealership should have the appropriate scan tool to easily pull the code indicated by the ABS and RSC lights as well as monitor the sensors real-time to verify that they are or are not functioning properly.
-Rod
I agree that the problem is likely a sensor, and probably one of the wheel speed sensors. The dealership should have the appropriate scan tool to easily pull the code indicated by the ABS and RSC lights as well as monitor the sensors real-time to verify that they are or are not functioning properly.
-Rod
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 272
Likes: 0
From: Orange County, FL
ABS RSC Lights
PS7107,
Same issue here. Both lights are on pretty much 90% of the time while the vehicle is running. There are NO CODES in the system. Used Ford scan tool. Hoping somebody knows something about this. I have a 2006 Mountaineer (used vehicle) with the 90 day warrenty coming to a close.
ANYONE...ANYONE...BUELLER?
Same issue here. Both lights are on pretty much 90% of the time while the vehicle is running. There are NO CODES in the system. Used Ford scan tool. Hoping somebody knows something about this. I have a 2006 Mountaineer (used vehicle) with the 90 day warrenty coming to a close.
ANYONE...ANYONE...BUELLER?
New User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
RSC Warning Light
Will someone tell me what the "RSC Service Now" means. Mine goes on left turns and when the right front tire is sprayed with water in the car wash. I assume is has to do with traction control. But what does RSC really stand for. BTW I have a 2010 Explorer with almost 90K miles.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
RSC stands for Roll Stability Control. The Firestone tire debacle can be thanked in large part for naming choice.
As you might expect, the RSC system is integrated with the ABS and based on the description of what's happening, it sounds like you probably either have a wiring issue for at least one of the wheel speed sensors or a bad wheel speed sensor itself.
To access the diagnostic code(s) you'll need a scan tool capable of accessing at least the ABS system (there are a few consumer grade units available) and possibly a professional grade tool that can access the RSC system specifically.
-Rod
As you might expect, the RSC system is integrated with the ABS and based on the description of what's happening, it sounds like you probably either have a wiring issue for at least one of the wheel speed sensors or a bad wheel speed sensor itself.
To access the diagnostic code(s) you'll need a scan tool capable of accessing at least the ABS system (there are a few consumer grade units available) and possibly a professional grade tool that can access the RSC system specifically.
-Rod
New User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: I live in New Haven Kentu
ABS Troubleshooting
I had the same issue with my 01 F150 and found it rather easy to troubleshoot using a Fluke meter. My ABS light would come on randomly then go off. I am a retired Air Force maintainer and did some homework on the ABS system and it is just like the Anti Skid system on the C-130 and works the same way. You can check your front wheel sensors easily just unplug the sensor should be inside the fender liner near exhaust you will need a conductor small enough to insert in the wiring plug that goes to the wheel set the meter to ohms put your leads on the two pins and you should read resistance, have someone turn the rotor and see if the resistance changes with movement, if it does the sensor is good. If you read infinity or meter shows an open the sensor is bad, replace it. On my truck I did turn the wheel but since it was open it didn't matter if I turned it or not I got no reading. This process takes just a few moments and the sensor is real easy to change and remember it works on a magnetic field. Autozone sells the sensors and not real expensive. 
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New User
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 1
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I appreciate any ideas that will help me diagnose what is tripping the warning light for the ABS/RSC system. We have a 2008 Explorer, 2-wheel drive, with the V8 engine. It has just over 16,000 mile on it.
Intermittently, when we hit the brakes, there is a slight sensation of jerking and roughness. The ABS RSC warning light and beeping occurs on occasion as well. If I go really easy on the brakes, all is well.
I have removed and inspected all brake pads. They look fine; so do the rotors. I have also inflated the tires so that they are perfectly equal.
I'm not sure how the RSC system is suppose to operate. I suspect that a sensor is relaying that the system should be activated, which causes the brakes to perform differently and the alarm to go sound. Both the ABS and the RSC warning lights turn on. I'm guessing that I may have a bad sensor somewhere, but I don't know where they are or how to test them.
Can anyone help?
Intermittently, when we hit the brakes, there is a slight sensation of jerking and roughness. The ABS RSC warning light and beeping occurs on occasion as well. If I go really easy on the brakes, all is well.
I have removed and inspected all brake pads. They look fine; so do the rotors. I have also inflated the tires so that they are perfectly equal.
I'm not sure how the RSC system is suppose to operate. I suspect that a sensor is relaying that the system should be activated, which causes the brakes to perform differently and the alarm to go sound. Both the ABS and the RSC warning lights turn on. I'm guessing that I may have a bad sensor somewhere, but I don't know where they are or how to test them.
Can anyone help?
Shop 2 couldn't pull any codes either and suggested a third shop. Third shop also couldn't pull any codes but said that there must be a short somewhere and would get back to me.
4 hours later guy calls me back said my van is done. I said how much? $150 he pulled the Abs Module out and noticed some corrosion on it. He cleaned it up and popped it back in. It works good as new now.
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 4,812
Likes: 83
From: Cedar Rapids, IA
You're correct in the operation, and if you really want to get detailed on testing the sensor, you could use either the frequency setting of your meter or, even better, and oscilloscope, to ensure the tone ring is not cracked or otherwise damaged by confirming a consistent frequency and duty cycle of the pulses given a consistent rotation of the axle. A cracked or damaged tone ring can also cause the ABS or stability control to engage even with a perfectly good sensor.
-Rod
-Rod
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