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  #1  
Old 12-28-2015, 08:36 PM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Post ABS thread help please.

Been unable to diagnose unexpected ABS activation.

2003 XLT 4WD 4.0

At first only a day ago it was only at low speed and full on and sudden, no break pressure at all. Now it is at higher speed 25 - 30 MPH but not constant but fluttering on off very fast. Their is no turn or pull on the wheel at all. The only thing that is noticeable is that is worse when it gets wet under the chassis. I did pull the lead wires to the front sensors and checked for any difficulty and reattached with some dielectric compound with no difference.

Can anyone make reference to a thread that I can explore for help.

Thank, Ziggy
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Old 12-28-2015, 11:32 PM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

Attention moderator can you move my message to the proper location please. Much Thanks... Z

So after reading for 3 or so hours I find that the following info will be helpful.

First since I am new and not easily able to understand where to post new messages I posted this message under general, so oops.... SORRY

So first thing, My father was a Master Heavy duty mechanic and taught me enough to be a cut above the rest but not to refuse any opinion. That means that yours is the best no mater what it may be. Toss me under the buss, tell me I am not correct or whatever, just tell me why you think so.

So Just to confirm 2003 4.0 4WD

This a new thing for me since I never had a Ranger that up to date with anti lock stuff. Call me old-school... if you want.

I have no scanner and can not afford to take it to a shop. Apparently the word has no place for a 50 year old with a 130 IQ so finding a new occupation is difficult.

Unanticipated ABS Activation. low speed 15-20 MPH to total stop and from as high as 45 MPH to total stop. The activation of the system is representative of the speed at the time. As the speed slows so does the fluctuating brake pressure. Fluctuating as in fast and then gradually decreasing with the speed (wheel rotation) almost fluttering effect on the pressure.

The only thing that I have found to ID is that when I took it deliberately through a deep mud puddle that did not totally submerge the wheel cylinder but just splashed up and under it became noticeably worse right away. Yes we have had flooding rainfall this last 6 weeks.

No work performed to the brakes or wheels for over 6 -12 months.

NO ABS light displayed unless the bulb is burnt out. ???

No pull to the side wile braking. Confirm please that would indicate that the front is not being effected

No need for brake work confirmed. (Unless I find that I need to replace a rotor to fix)

My call for now withought further tangible examination. I am troubled by the increased difficulty as a result of the water infiltration but otherwise. I may have a bad rear sensor or a malfunctioning control unit. Or that I am incorrect that I may have something on the front and that it just does not pull to one side or the other.

Second thoughts, could a compromised wire to the rear being infiltrated by water caws this issue?

My thanks appreciation to all for any helpful and knowledgeable input you can be.

Ziggy
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  #3  
Old 12-30-2015, 01:40 AM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

OK so I figure that if my message was viewed 50 times then that many of you did not have any info to offer or... Well.. Leave it their.

So If you have read this far than I have your attention. so...

I found a bad front RH hub assembly barring. I figured that was causing a deviation in the signal to the ABS sensor and that was the problem. After running to the parts store and walking in right at closing time I got what I needed and replaced it. Excited to take it for a test drive and go and tell my wife "All Good" things took a turn toward the dark side. Nothing changed at all...??? So I removed every fuse connected to that system and still NO CHANGE...????? *** WHAT THE ???*** (colorful metaphors removed)***** So now what I am looking at is that something is (possibly) not working properly with the 4WD system. I have it set on 2WD it acts like their is improper differential action between the rear and the front. It acts like I have different size tires on the rear then the front but that is not the case. Or should I say that when I take a slow very sharp turn the front end tires skip to catch up and when I apply the brakes it acts like the ABS is activating but their is a very noticeable noise coming from the area or the transfer case when the brake pedal kicks back. The other possibility that I am looking at is that the brake fluid pressure is being unevenly distributed... ??? (Side note: I have had difficulty in the past with the 4WD not shutting off back to 2 WD when prompted to) Honestly I am not the hard core 4WD drive fanatic so I truly have little knowledge to fall back upon so I am looking for help and from you since you are still reading my post.

My wife drives this one and I am very concerned for her welfare. Please if you have any clue at all PLEASE let me know. I am the guy that helps the little old lady load her trunk at the store, always helping people as much as I an able to. Please help me get some sleep.

Best to all, Ziggy
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  #4  
Old 12-30-2015, 04:43 AM
Jswifto Jswifto is offline
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Default

You are going to have to get it scanned with a good scanner so they can look at the speed sensors in real time while driving the truck to see what they are doing. I gather you are feeling the brake pedal pulsate when you apply the brake correct?
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Old 12-30-2015, 05:35 AM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

Yes but as well when all three of the breakers are removed...??? Shutting down the abs system makes no difference at this point at all. ???
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  #6  
Old 12-30-2015, 06:22 AM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

Here is what got my attention last night before I gave up efforts for the day. Diagnosed with having a bad front hub barring and was changed. That did not seam to fix the abs problem but in actuality I feel that it did. What it looks like is that I may have two separate issues that cam up at the same time. Someone tell me based upon my tail of the exspereance.

After changing the barring/hub it was still acting mostly the same. I removed the fuse at the cab fuse box (instant ABS light on the dash) no change, then to the breaker box under the hood for the ABS pump, no change, then the one designated for the abs system and no change. When I took it for the last drive I felt one of the wheels jumping as if it was trying to catch up in unison with the others wile it is in 2WD. Wile trying to find the noticeable knocking sound from the undercarriage I had it on stands on the front driver side and wile checking the U joints found that spinning the driveline was causing the driver side wheel to spin as if the transfer case was engaged. Not a genius here If something made you laugh please tell me. If something sounds wrong then please.

As if that was not enough get this. I got up early to take my wife to work (using my sisters car and when I got in and started it I got a sudden face full of raw gas fumes... Nice... So I told my wife that she simply was not suppose to go to work today for some reason...
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  #7  
Old 12-30-2015, 09:13 AM
barneycat11 barneycat11 is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

You will have to get the ABS codes read to identify which sensor is not working.It's normal for the ABS to activate at low speed below ten mph if a sensor is not working.There are three sensors one in each front hub and one in the differential.
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Old 12-30-2015, 10:08 AM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

Would it be normal for the ABS to operate when totally disabled?????
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  #9  
Old 12-30-2015, 11:24 AM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

As I stated on posting #6 I have two separate issues that came up at the same time. I have resolved the ABS difficulty but the remaining one is felt when the brakes are applied. The feel is like having a bad rotor but this came on rather suddenly. Defies my understanding of how that could be the case.

I have isolated 3 separate fuses to the ABS system testing each one separately to check for a dash light and removed them. I replaced the front hub that was bad and causing the triggering of the system.

The pulsating action on the pedal is simultaneous and in unison with soft knocking from the undercarriage best I can tell from the 4WD transfer case. YA I know this is just way out their... but I am simply stumped to the max....
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  #10  
Old 12-30-2015, 05:43 PM
nelbur nelbur is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

It sounds to me like you are stuck in four wheel drive, which will make the front wheels skip when you turn on dry pavement.
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Old 12-30-2015, 08:37 PM
Seattle Ziggy Seattle Ziggy is offline
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Default Re: ABS thread help please.

OK Found the problem and ya I was correct that I had a second separate issue.

The auto adjust brake mechanism failed, the cable broke and the adjustment did not happen as it should have. Since it did not adjust it sat their and rubbed on the drum till it was thin on the pad but never rubbed metal to metal so no clue that it was bad. The rivets holding the ceramic to the metal failed and the ceramic pad now un-attached spun around inside the drum (it was about 3 mm thick) and when the brake was applied it pressed back on the pedal a bit like the ABS would do. That pad material momentarily slipping through between the other pad causing a momentary stop action to the wheel and the jumping like action. That along with a bad front hub barring that tripped the ABS made the entire ordeal rather difficult to figure out at first. But I got it...
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