ABS light stays on?

Tiny
WARREN1814
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 FORD E-SERIES VAN
  • 4.2L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 167,000 MILES
My ABS light stays on. So far I have done the following to my van. Replaced the tone ring, replaced the front disc brake pads on both sides, Replaced the front shocks /struts both sides. Check to see if there was enough brake fluid in there. I have bought a replacement connector that goes on top of the axle that connects the ABS sensor to the rear (picture of it below). But I cannot for the life of me to get anybody to replace this part for me for some strange reason. Well that's all I can remember that I have done to it so far. So far I haven't checked to see if the ball bearings are bad, because I don't have a working jack at the moment.
Monday, April 15th, 2024 AT 12:17 AM

19 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,442 POSTS
It could be the wheel speed sensors, ABS module, rear speed sensors are a few other items. The first step would be to scan the vehicle and see what code(s) are in the system. Without that you could replace every part and still have the light on because it is something else. Because it's a Ford I would suggest getting a copy of FORScan and the correct dongle That will give you a tool that can do as much as the OE diagnostic system but for a much lower price, and it works on pretty much all the Ford makes and even on some Mazda vehicles.

https://forscan.org/home.html

Or get one of the handheld units that can read ABS codes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTtAnsOlZU4

Then use the codes to give you a map of where to start looking.
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Monday, April 15th, 2024 AT 3:02 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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This guide can help as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/7-common-symptoms-of-a-bad-automotive-bearing-hub

Which tells why the bearing hub can cause this problem, but like Steve W says we need the codes to see what's going on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/anti-lock-system-testing-and-repair-abs

Here are the ABS system wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works. I would also check the fuses and grounds of the system which I have included as well. Check out the images (below). Please upload pictures or videos in your response to the problem so we can see what's going on.

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Monday, April 15th, 2024 AT 5:17 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Hello guys (Steve W.) Okay, I will see if I can get it scanned once again. And see what codes it is pulling up this time. If I remember correctly I think someone on here told me that my van has only 3 speed sensors. 2 in the front and one in the center of the axle in the back. And thank you Ken for another awesome guide and wire diagram. Hopefully this will pinpoint what the problem is. Wow, I haven't ever seen a wire diagram like that before. I had no idea my van had this hidden inside of it. Also, now the ABS light will come on and go off. It's like it has a mind of its own now. This is so frustrating etc. Anyway, I will keep you guys updated.
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Tuesday, April 16th, 2024 AT 11:15 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The scan will help tell us which sensor is having an issue.

Here is a guide to help you test the sensors manually which could help:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Wednesday, April 17th, 2024 AT 9:52 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Okay guys, I finally have some type of update for you. Well today I finally got my master brake cylinder fix, Brakes flushed and new brake pads. The repair guy even said that my brake booster was in good shape as well. So why is my ABS light still coming on and going off? I haven’t cleared the code off just yet. Because I was thinking once everything is fixed it should go off by itself, right? And if my ABS module is bad, where do I go to get one? None of my parts stores seem to have them. Also, the repair guys said that since my van is so old my brakes are hydraulic and not electronic no matter what you do to any of the brake parts won't fix the ABS light from going on or going off unless you test and repair the ABS module. Is this true or false?

Cost brake down:
Master cylinder, bleed and refill
Adjust rear brakes etc) = $200.00
Tax $17.03
Labor $180.00
Total $402.03
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 AT 10:38 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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You need to scan it to see why the ABS light is on. None of the parts you replaced would repair an ABS fault as he said. The ABS is electronic and involves wheel speed sensors, the ABS module and the associated wiring. That is why we said scan it first.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 AT 3:52 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Oh, oh okay. Well, I will scan it and see what it says this time. Should I clear the code once I find out what it is to see if it will come back on its own or not? Also, I have full brakes now too. They no longer get hard and then get soft etc. I thought for sure it would make the ABS light go off but I guess not. Anyway, I will get it scanned and see what it says. Looks like wheel speed sensors maybe on the list next. Anyway, I will let you guys know and thank you for taking the time to answer me Steve W. I am sorry I forgot to tell you what was wrong with my brakes in the first place. Well, they would get hard and then soft like I said. But I came to find out the master brake cylinder went bad and it was leaking where it attached to the brake booster. So, the repair guy did fix that part and cleaned out where the brake fluid was running into the brake booster. And like I said I have full brakes now etc. And the ABS still comes on and goes off for now etc.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 AT 6:59 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The code would clear itself if there is nothing wrong. ABS is a continuous monitor system so it is always testing, Whatever the code is should point you at the problem. If your scan tool can read the wheel speeds you can look at that as well, if it shows the rear at 45, front left at 45 but right front at 0 you know where to start looking. Similar if it showed both fronts at 45 but the rear at 0.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Oh, I didn't know that the ABS is continuous. I learn something new on this website every time. Okay, I will have it scanned I have to look through the manual of the scanner and see if it will read the wheel speed.
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Tuesday, October 29th, 2024 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Well I went for a ride today in my van and the ABS light went off by itself. But the brakes sure feel funny to me once again. I don't have to push hard and all and I have brakes but it still feels weird to me. Or I could have just driven my van so long without them being repaired so long that its going to feel funny for me from hear on. I will still have it scanned anyway though, Maybe there is hidden or past code in there. Etc
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Thursday, October 31st, 2024 AT 12:11 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Should still be a history code but with the light off it may not show depending on the scan tool. Ley us know what you find.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2024 AT 9:20 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Okay, I sure will, and I am pretty sure the abs light will come back on too. In the meantime, does the 2000 Ford E-150 Econoline van have either of the following relays on them Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) Indicator Light Relay or a ABS relay? Some friends of mine says it does but if it doesn't I can't seem to find it anywhere in the manual of the van.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2024 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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It has an ABS relay but it's stuck behind the center of the dash (thanks Ford) which makes it a bear to get to.
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Thursday, October 31st, 2024 AT 2:45 PM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Yeah, and knowing my luck that maybe the reason why my ABS light keeps coming on too. (Thanks Ford lol). Well anyway thank you for taking the time to write me back so quickly I will keep you posted. I saw this technique I saw on YouTube where you can use your scanner to see which wheel speed sensor it is (if any). Like you talked about up there. I just hope my scanner has this option where I can do by myself. These repair shops cost a lot just for diagnose things today. And I am trying to recover from the $400 I just spent.
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Friday, November 1st, 2024 AT 8:18 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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The relay just powers the ABS system, won't turn the light on itself. That is done through the ABS module itself. Removing it would turn off the light because it would also turn off the entire ABS system.
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Sunday, November 3rd, 2024 AT 10:10 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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  • 137 POSTS
Oh, oh ok. Well I finally had it scanned and the code it produced was C1229 - Rear Speed Center Coherency Fault. Its the only error code that was produced this time. Here is the picture of the scanner. Sorry the picture isn't to clear it was kinda bright outside this time. Sorry for 2 images of the same thing. I tried deleting one of them but it wouldn't erase etc.
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Saturday, November 9th, 2024 AT 9:42 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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OK, that code basically means that there is a problem with the signal from the rear speed sensor. It isn't receiving the signal as a steady thing. Commonly that means a broken wire in the harness to the sensor. Try this test, go into the live data on your scan tool and select the wheel speed sensor data. Now drive on a straight line at about 30 mph or so and watch the speeds. You should see them all saying 30 mph. I suspect the rear speed will be erratic and so drop outs. I know you posted that you got a new connector for that sensor, what was the reason for that? Damage? Corrosion? Both of those could cause this code. It is also the reason the ABS light comes and goes, sometimes the sensor signal is good then it drops out. That is usually the wiring and not the sensor itself. There are 2 wires from the sensor to the ABS module. If you know how to splice the wires you can just use two wires and replace the harness from the sensor up into the harness at the rear of the truck. They fail normally because the wiring has to flex as the rear suspension moves. If I had it here I would take the new plug you have and de-pin it and add new longer wires to it and then splice it into the harness where I circled in the image.
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Sunday, November 10th, 2024 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
WARREN1814
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Hello there, sorry for the long delay in writing you back. And ok I will try that test you where talking about. But first I will answer your question. The reason why I connector is because I thought it might have been lose connector like you said (and others on the list too). And I have been trying and trying to get some to put that new connector on my van for the last 6 months or so. But, but nobody seems to want to mess with it. But I will try and do the test and let you know what happens. At least I can try and do that. I'm in a wheelchair so I just can't look under the van to see if any wires are broken or have rust on them etc. Very nice diagram.I like that.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 AT 9:35 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
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Yeah that would limit what you can do if you don't have a lift. I'm surprised that nobody is willing to replace a simple connector. What part of the world are you in? Maybe someone can recommend a shop.
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Tuesday, November 12th, 2024 AT 10:42 PM

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