ABS light on dash

[vettmike]

The ABS light on the dash of our 2000 X is on whenever the truck is running. It started about a year ago by just coming on now and then, now it is on at all times.

At first I was thinking it may have been related to the hypertech programming, so I returned the program to stock. Light is still on.

Any ideas on what the problem might be, I don't want to end up at a dealer or shop that wants to charge me a lot.

Is this a common problem.

Milage just turned 56,000


vettmike


[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

[CHPMustang]

Mike,crawl under your Excursion to the front of the rear axle and on the top part(forward) of the axle you'll see an electrical plug that connects to your axle,check that to make sure it is connected tightly as that's for the Vehicle Speed Sensor and if that's loose or comes out that'll set off the ABS light(my experience),if it's snug carefully remove it,should be held on by one or two plastic blades,check it for any crud then re-connect it.If your X is a 4x4 put it in 4high and drive it straight for about 150 feet and if it was the plug assembly the ABS system will reset and the light should go out if not return it to 4x2,then I'll say the VSS has crud/metal shavings on the sensor itself inside the pumpkin which can be carefully cleaned or replaced easily.

BILL

[FamilyRide]

Bingo. I second the VSS,but I couldn't have told you were to find it on a 4x4 Ex. I learned something. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[CHPMustang]

I learned the hard way well somewhat the easy way,after I had the 4" blocks installed that's when my ABS kicked on then I thought oh yea,the Hellwig needs adjustment so I peeked at the axle where the top of the sway bar is over the pumpkin and damned if the bar tapped the plug loose [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Easy fix,a pair of plastic zip ties in an X pattern,and the bar got adjusted down a notch [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

BILL

[vettmike]

Followed the suggests on the VSS plug, no Luck!

The plug was tight so I removed the sensor, it had a fair amount of crud, metal shavings, on the sensor. I clean the sensor and reinstalled, still have the ABS light on.

Should I just replace the sensor, and if so, does anyone have the part number, or are there any more suggests on what to check next.

An interesting side note, when I was under the X, there is a rubber hose that comes off of the brake line fitting on the left (drivers) side ont he axle assembly, the hose goes up and clips into a clip, at the end of this hose in a 'Y' plastice fitting, one end of this fitting is open and the other is not, is this the correct configuration or am I missing something?

Thanks again for all of your input on this. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

vettmike

[CHPMustang]

Hmmmm,if the VSS proved okay then try disconnecting both batteries for about 7 hours to give the codes a chance to clear if there is any.

If the ABS lamp is still illuminating after you get it all hooked back up then you might have a sensor having difficulties within the ABS unit itself under the hood and that I don't know much of yet.

Wish I could help more [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img]

BILL

[OB-1]

There is another possibility [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] The ABS computer may be bad. Mine went south a year ago. First I got and intermittent ABS light. Then a few days later the ABS light stayed on all the time and then the speedometer would flicker or momentarily die. Then the speedo died completely. The codes said speed sensor failure and computer failure. I couldn’t get a speed sensor except through Ford so I capitulated and took my Excursion to the dealer. It seems that almost everything feeds through the ABS computer. My Excursion was out of warranty so the repair cost me about $700. The ABS computer is covered under the normal warranty, not the 100K mile engine warranty. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bleh.gif[/img]

[CHPMustang]

[ QUOTE ]
The ABS computer may be bad

[/ QUOTE ]
That's what I was referring to [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Brings back bad past memories of the ABS system electronics always going on the fritz in my brand X trucks [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img]

Each time I knew it had probs I would apply the brakes and the pedal would pulsate,don't know if the same would apply for the Powerstrokes powered trucks tho.

BILL

[vettmike]

I disconnected the batteries for 30 hours, hooked it back up last night and the light was on within 100 feet of driving, oh well:-{

The speedo has been just fine,not sticking or bouncing. I may repalce the VSS sensor, or try to get someone with OBDII to see if it is throwing a code.

Thanks to all for your help.

BTW CHPMustang, I installed XM Radio and it's great, should have done it sooner. I switch the receiver between my daily driver, the house, shop, and the X.


Mike

[img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shrug.gif[/img] [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/sleepy.gif[/img]

[CHPMustang]

Well frac Mike [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] See what a new VSS will do if you can't find a nearby PSD'er with a code reader.

And Yes,XM is the bomb for sure! For the first time the trip from Phoenix to Dallas was not tiring at all and got home alot quicker it seemed [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] There's alot of no man's land between here and Phoenix which is where XM kicks in [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Keep me posted on the ABS light situation.

BILL