ABS Light ON

2005 FORD EXPLORER
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INTELLIGARD
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Brakes problem 6 cyl All Wheel Drive Automatic 55K miles
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My "ABS" and "ADVANCE TRAC" lights came on and stayed on, in the instrument panel. Furthermore, the "4x4 HIGH" light flashes on and off.

In addition, Prior to the herein describe problem, the brake pedal felt like the ABS was on, even on dry pavement and at low speed. Now, with all lights still on in the instrument panel, it seems that the onboard computer "OC" has disabled 4WD, ABS and Advance Track "AT"(which the OC is saying to service the AT) therefore am now driving 2WD. I even tried to turned off the truck and turned it on right away and it seems that the onboard computer is trying to reset itself (no light in the panel, but the pedal start to feel like the ABS is on (hissing pedal), however, after a few 100 yards of driving, I am back to square one (ABS and AT lights on and 4x4High light flashing with disabled function!!)

Anyone has any ideal of what the problem might be?

I have purchase an OBD2 computer to verify what error code I might get. However did not yet received it!!

Thanking you in advance for your help!!
Mar 22, 2008 at 4:16 PM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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your abs activating and traction light are probably because of a faulty wheel speed sensor or hub bearing. you will need to check front hub bearings and you need a scan tool to read miles per hour to determine the bad wheel speed sensor.
Mar 22, 2008 at 6:59 PM
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INTELLIGARD
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Hello my friend,

Thanks for the reply...I did give a donation prior you answering this question...

I appreciate you taking the time! However, what kind of scan tool do I need to track the speed. And I have checked the hub bearings and seems to be OK.

One more thing, prior my getting all this light show in the panel...We had a major snow storm and I got really stuck with my truck. In trying to get out of my bad position (in my driveway) I was doing few forward / reverse scheme and when I was pressing the brake pedal it felt very weird like the pedal was pushing back at me and that the ABS WAS ON...not long after that the light show started.

By the way, please have a look at my original post description. I did revise it and added more content.

Thank in a million
Mar 22, 2008 at 7:34 PM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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the cheapest scan tool that i know of is the otc genesys and it costs about 2000 dollars. it really sounds like you have a wheel speed sensor problem. i would start by checking wire harness at the wheels to see if a wire tore loose when the snow storm incident happened. unfortunately after that theres not much you can do without a scan tool. the generic code readers will not read abs unfortunately.
Mar 22, 2008 at 7:44 PM
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INTELLIGARD
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I appreciate the prompted response...

I will leave this thread open till I find out what is the problem...sometime next week I will know...

See ya later!!

Regards,
Mar 22, 2008 at 7:54 PM
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MASTERTECHTIM
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yeah definitely get back to us even if its in a week it will come up on my screen.
Mar 22, 2008 at 8:00 PM
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MERLIN2021
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You can check the sensors with an ohm meter, you should come up with a reading of 800-1400 ohms across the sensor, then to check the ring gears, switch the meter to volts, and have someone spin the wheel, you should get a reading, it will vary by wheel rotation speed...Mt Lincoln had the abs and trac light on when I bought it, and after I ohmed it, I found a shorted wire at the passenger side where the wires go thru the firewall...
Mar 23, 2008 at 8:13 AM
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MERLIN2021
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BTW you need a scanner that can read ABS codes these are "C" codes. There is one out there for laptops that costs about 250.00,
Mar 23, 2008 at 8:17 AM
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INTELLIGARD
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Great tips...I will definitely look into this!!

Should you find the link, it would be greatly appreciated!!

Regards,
Mar 23, 2008 at 8:25 AM
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INTELLIGARD
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Hello Guys,

Finally I did complete inspection of my ABS system, front and rear wheels...using a volt meter, check all sensors...all seemed to be OK....So from that point on, check the ring gear on the back wheels....

There was one which was cracked and loose (passenger side)...I replaced the ring and everything came back to normal...

Thanks for all your tips... it was definitely great help!! I will use this service once again when I will need it!!

Regards,

Jean
Montreal, QC, Canada :mrgreen:
Mar 25, 2008 at 3:39 PM
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MERLIN2021
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I knew me and Tim could do it! Great job!
Mar 25, 2008 at 4:27 PM
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PISTOLPETE1111
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You stated you replaced a ring gear, What is the proper name for this part?

[quote:4d6128426e="intelligard"]Hello Guys,

Finally I did complete inspection of my ABS system, front and rear wheels...using a volt meter, check all sensors...all seemed to be OK....So from that point on, check the ring gear on the back wheels....

There was one which was cracked and loose (passenger side)...I replaced the ring and everything came back to normal...

Thanks for all your tips... it was definitely great help!! I will use this service once again when I will need it!!

Regards,

Jean
Montreal, QC, Canada :mrgreen:[/quote:4d6128426e]
Oct 23, 2009 at 12:58 AM
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MERLIN2021
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ring gear or reluctor
Oct 24, 2009 at 11:40 AM
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PISTOLPETE1111
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"Finally I did complete inspection of my ABS system, front and rear wheels...using a volt meter, check all sensors...all seemed to be OK....So from that point on, check the ring gear on the back wheels.... ""

How do I use a volt meter to check to check these sensors? The connections are buried too far down in the sheathing to allow for proper connection of any type of meter...
Nov 6, 2009 at 7:19 PM
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MERLIN2021
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Pistolpete111 you didnt say what kind of vehicle you are working on, can you specify? Sensors if it's a ford, should ohm at 800-1400 ohms, and then switch to volts and spin the wheel, voltage should change with speed of rotation. Some sensors connect in the trunk, others under the back seat. The fronts connect in the wheel wells.
Nov 7, 2009 at 8:40 AM
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PISTOLPETE1111
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[quote:37bc2dcfc0="merlin2021"]Pistolpete111 you didnt say what kind of vehicle you are working on, can you specify? Sensors if it's a ford, should ohm at 800-1400 ohms, and then switch to volts and spin the wheel, voltage should change with speed of rotation. Some sensors connect in the trunk, others under the back seat. The fronts connect in the wheel wells.[/quote:37bc2dcfc0]

I am working on a 2005 Ford Explorer V6 all wheel drive 4X4. When I spoke to the connections being too far into the sheathing, I mean when I disconnect the sensor from its wire connection, the two prongs that i would need to contact to are 3/4 of an inch into hard plastic and difficult to connect to....
Nov 7, 2009 at 11:25 AM
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MERLIN2021
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You can try needles, either inert them int the end of the connector, or actually pierce the wires and attach meter.
Nov 8, 2009 at 8:28 AM
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BILL RODGERS
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If you drive this vehicle with the issue of the wheel speed sensor defective, will it damange your vehicle?
Aug 14, 2016 at 6:15 PM
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RON12726
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6 cyl Four Wheel Drive Automatic 65000 miles

Hi all,
A couple of months ago I started hearing a howling in the front end. It almost sounded like a tire. The other day the abs light, the advance trac light and the 4wd light started to blink every few minutes. The other two lights, abs and advancetrac stay on. It tries to go into 4wd on its own also. Sometimes it feels like a bearing, but the noise seems to be coming right from the middle of the vehicle, maybe front differential. It doesn't pull one way or another. If I'm stopped and then take off it sometimes acts strange alike a bearing then loosens up and away I go. It almost slowed me to a stop earlier today as I was coasting to listen. Then went into 4wd. I took it out and continued.I changed the one front hub bearing. Still does the same thing. Is it the other side hub? The rear ring gears look good as I read in here to check those.
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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It could be several things. When you say it is trying to go into 4wd, I was thinking a speed sensor, but the noise has me confused. Does the vehicle have the automatic 4wd? Also, have you checked to make sure the ABS sensors haven't come loose and is rubbinb the reluctor ont he hub? Here is what I recommed at this point. Since the lights are on and staying on, take the vehicle to a nationally recognized parts store and have them scan the computer for codes. If the light is on, there should be one stored. Most will do it for free, so there is no money out of pocket. It should at least point us in the right direction. Please ask for the code number they find. I need to know this otherwise, it is a hit and miss situation which ends up costing a lot of money on parts that don't need replaced.

Let me know what you find, and thanks for using 2carpros.com.

Joe
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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RON12726
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Yeah it has the auto 4wd. I was thinking the other bearing if I turn in that direction it gets bettter, away worse. could the noise coming from the differntial be just things happening because that right side is possibly catching at times? Even though no check engine light is on, but abs light is on I can get a scan.? I live in the boonies but I will take a ride to auto zone they do it..Thanks so far..Ron
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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If the sound changes when you turn, chances are you are right, a wheel bearing. Let me know what you find when you have it scanned.
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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ROBERT1991TREBOR
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My 05 Ford Explorer does the same thing if I go a little too fast around a curve and get some body roll. When it takes the weight off the tire that SOB's "autofour wheel dr" kicks in and KaBlam. My kids spilt somethin sticky on my traction control button and with it pushed down my auto 4wd is disengaged. Temporary fix
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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STRAILER
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Have you checked the axle bearing hubs in the front it sounds like we have a bearing going out allowing the wheel and ABS sensor to have problems.

Here is a guide to help you see what you are in for when replacing the bearing hub.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-abs-wheel-speed-sensor

Please let us know what happens.

Cheers, Ken

Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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DEBBIE BENJAMIN
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ABS light on grinding noise when a make a turn no matter if it's left or right
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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CARADIODOC
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Is this grinding noise occurring while the yellow warning light is on? Is it a metal-on-metal grinding or the buzzing sound of the anti-lock system activating? Have you had the diagnostic fault codes read and recorded?
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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BRANDYGOINS13
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My abs light on and the 4x4 high blinks on and off
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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HMAC300
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if abs has a problem it won't let 4wd work, have it scanned for codes. some auto parts can scan for abs.
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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2CP-ARCHIVES
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stuck in 4x4 and abs warning lights saying check anti traction
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Have the computer scanned and check the 4wd actuator on the transfer case to make sure it is getting power. If it is, check it for operation.
Dec 18, 2017 at 9:31 PM (Merged)
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