98 ABS acting up

[amtrakmatt]

Hi Guys,

I have a 98', recently the ABS light started coming on, not every time, but about one out of four drives. I've got 122K, any ideas on a cheap fix? Has anyone had this problem, what'd you do?

Thanks,

Matt

1998 Silver Welded
Irvine, CA.

 

[SHOZ123]

Does the light flash when you first start it up?

 

[me6894]

youll have to get it scanned at a dealer to tell you which one, but its probably one of your wheel speed sensors in which case you need a new wheel bearing

 

[amtrakmatt]

To answer Paul's question, the ABS light comes on and turn off in about two seconds after starting the car.

Thanks me6894 for the advice.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

its probably one of your wheel speed sensors in which case you need a new wheel bearing

Huh?

 

[me6894]

Huh?

huh what? unless on these cars the wheel speed sensor is not built into the hub, most GMs are and that what im used to

 

[SHOZ123]

The speed sensor is replaceable. But before you throw parts at the car you can take the ABS connector off and read the actual voltage output from the sensor.

Jack the car up so one front wheel is on the ground and let the car idle in gear. This will allow one wheel to turn. Then put a voltmeter to that wheels ABS senor outputs to read the AC voltage. Compare this to the other side.

Front wheels put out at least twice the signal voltage as the rear wheels.

If the ABS light flashes in a two digit sequence three times before going steady this is a two digit code.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

huh what? unless on these cars the wheel speed sensor is not built into the hub, most GMs are and that what im used to

Huh exactly. The ABS sensors on all Tauruses ever made are completely separate from the hub. I'm just trying make sure people get accurate information here.

 

[me6894]

Huh exactly. The ABS sensors on all Tauruses ever made are completely separate from the hub. I'm just trying make sure people get accurate information here.

well then you could have informed me of that because i was unaware also

also make sure the wires arent popped out of the terminals

 

[amtrakmatt]

So then the problem should be a failed sensor. I see there's one on ebay, but I'm guess i would have to take it to the dealer to find out which one.

Thanks,

Matt
98' Silver Welded

 

[SHOZ123]

I guess you do if you can't understand what I posted.

 

[naval-avi8or]

I guess you do if you can't understand what I posted.

Paul,

I haven't had to mess with the GEN III ABS yet (knock on wood) but when my GEN II had an intermitant ABS light it was the relay for the ABS control module. Is the relay built in on the GEN III or is it in the GEM etc. He might want to check it first (much eaiser and possibly cheaper to replace).

I would look it up but I'm out of town for the weekend.

 

[SHOZ123]

There are several fuses that control the ABS on the Gen 3. A 40A and a 30A in the engine fuse box and a 10A one under the dash. But there is no independent relay.

You can either go to the dealer to get the ABS scanned or if the ABS light is flashing a code upon initial start up you can look that code up.

 

[amtrakmatt]

When the ABS light turns on during a drive, would this generate a diagnostic code that a Ford tech would be able to view?


SHOZ123-I understood what you were saying, just that I don't have a garage, voltmeter, or jack to lift the car.

I'll probably just bring the car over to John Stoessel, SHO specialist in LA, he welded the cams and put a tranny cooler in. He's a bit of a drive for me, but the guy has a spare Gen 3 he can use parts from.

Thanks,

Matt

 

[naval-avi8or]

When the ABS light turns on during a drive, would this generate a diagnostic code that a Ford tech would be able to view?


SHOZ123-I understood what you were saying, just that I don't have a garage, voltmeter, or jack to lift the car.

I'll probably just bring the car over to John Stoessel, SHO specialist in LA, he welded the cams and put a tranny cooler in. He's a bit of a drive for me, but the guy has a spare Gen 3 he can use parts from.

Thanks,

Matt

It will as long as the light is not generated by lack of power to the control module. I did look up and as Paul stated on the GEN III there is no inpependant relay (all built into the ABS module) as there is on the GEN II.