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Can you get the air out of a ABS module if it is not working properly?

Tiny
KROKEEFE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 FORD WINDSTAR
  • 165,000 MILES
I recently replaced all the brake lines and brake hoses and bleed the system. Can't get all the air out as apparently the hydraulic control solenoids in the ABS Module has air trapped in them. My engine and ABS light has been on for a couple of years as well as the traction control light has been blinking on and off.

My question is if there is possibly a problem with the ABS control module is it possible a scan tool will not be able to cycle the pressure modulator valves to allow the air to get out? I am willing to go without ABS on the vehicle but need to get the pedal firmer.

I had Autozone use their Acton Auto Scanner Plus tool to find out why the lights are on. These are the DTC's it came up with.

C1145 RF speed sensor input circuit malfunction
C1155 LF speed sensor input circuit malfunction
C1175 LR speed sensor input circuit malfunction
C1148 RF wheel speed sensor coherency malfunction
C1178 LR wheel speed sensor coherency malfunction
C1158 LF wheel speed sensor coherency malfunction
C1185 ABS power relay output circuit malfunction
C1115 ABS power relay battery short
C1095 ABS hydraulic pump motor circuit malfunction
C1096 ABS hydraulic pump motor open circuit
C1194 LF ABS outlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1210 RF ABS outlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1242 LR ABS outlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1246 RR ABS outlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1198 LF ABS inlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1214 RF ABS inlet valve coil circuit malfunction
C1200 LF ABS inlet valve coil battery short
C1256 RR ABS inlet valve coil battery short
C1244 LR ABS outlet valve coil battery short
C1252 LR ABS inlet valve coil battery plus short
C1141 LF wheel speed sensor ring tooth missing malfunction
C1446 brake switch circuit malfunction
U1009 standard communication protocol invalid missing engine torque data
P0500 vehicle speed sensor A pending
P1000 OBD II monitor/drive cycle test not complete
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 7:12 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
It can take up to 3qts of fluid to bleed these systems and you should use a power bleeder to do it. Or vacuum if you need a ascan tool to do it for the modulator valve then you need a pro scanner they can do it others can't.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 8:03 AM
Tiny
KROKEEFE
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
The scan results of the DTC's leads me to believe there are numerous problems with the modulator. If so can it be purged of its air with a pro scanner if there are problems with it? I don't want to pay a shop to bleed the system with their pro scanner if its unlikely they will be able to get the air out if the modulator because its needs to be replaced/or repaired. It's quite expensive.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 8:19 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
They can be repaired for around $100 if you can afford to be without the vehicleif the mod valve works then I can see no problem with it being bled. But as far as all the codes you have is another question. Is there actually a problem with sensors or is it because you have gone so long without fixing the abs unit that these have appeared.I would certainly have the codes cleared first and then drive it and see what you have. It may not be all these problems that have popped up. A couple of those codes may have shown simply because your battery was disconnected or in poor shape so have that checked for condition including load test. And the vss can either be a speed sensor or shorted wire or pcm. The pic has a site that advertises on our site for abs repair, not saying they are any good but you shod at least get it cleared then see what comes up. If you get it bled an dit's fixed then it's all well and good.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 8:28 AM
Tiny
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  • 18 POSTS
So by you saying "if the mod valve works then I can see no problem with it being bled" you are saying that if there is a problem with the ABS module that its possible a pro scanner will not be able to remove the air from it? Because if that's the case I am going to hold off having a shop bleed it with a pro scanner until I see if all these codes are actually valid.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 3:44 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
I think you are misunderstanding what i'm saying. First get the codes cleared. You will need a pro scanner to do that as auto part ones can't. Then drive it and see what codes come up. The modulator valve is PART of the abs it is not the module itself. It can trap air and cause problems not saying that it is. What the pro scanner can do if need be is command the modulator valve open which you can't when trying to bleed in a normal way.
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Wednesday, October 9th, 2013 AT 5:53 PM
Tiny
KROKEEFE
  • MEMBER
  • 18 POSTS
The van is 15 years old and has about 165K miles on it. I am not to confident that most of the 22 ABS DTC's will not reappear after having them cleared and what does reappear would be worth paying for the necessary repairs. I am willing to do without ABS on this vehicle and would just like to get the air out of the brakes system to have better braking power. That's why I was asking if the modulator valve is faulty in some way (as some of those trouble codes indicate it may be) is it possible a pro scanner would not be able to remove the air from it (command the modulator valves to open). Don't want to pay a shop to use their pro scanner if it possible it can't command the mod valves to open (as I was quoted by a shop it would cost $150 for them to do that). I will consider my other options it thats the case. Thanks for your help. Appreciate your expertise in trying to figure out how to go about this.
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Thursday, October 10th, 2013 AT 2:33 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The problem is you don't know until you TRY it so I really can't answer that, if they command it and it opens fine if not then you are stuck with it. You are asking me to give you an answer on something that I cannot. It's hydraulics and electrics, if you command it to open fine if it doesn't then nothing can be done about it.
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Thursday, October 10th, 2013 AT 5:47 AM

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