ABS Troubleshooting

[atomiclord]

ABS light lit several months ago. Ford pulled the codes whilst replacing the speed transducer, told me it was the front right sensor.

My mechanic just replaced the sensor (I bought a new one from Ford) while doing my brakes, the light is still on.

Is the light just on because Ford hasn't reset it? Or is there something else wrong?

[atomiclord]

Just checked, ford did note that it was the RHF 'speed sensor' required (quoted $100 to fit -- what a ripoff!).

Just did an ECU reset. Didn't change the light. It still comes on on start-up and stays on.

[T3man]

After you replace the sensor you then have to reset the system. Most auto electricians have the scan tool and will only charge you the minimum 15 min labour rate (some don't even charge) to clear the codes for you.

[grandpa_spec_F6]

You may need to get it rebuilt, I had to have mine done and from memory it cost $250.

They change all the linkages inside the ABS module and put better stuff than factory in.

Believe me it sucks not having abs as I found out one wet, overly excited afternoon :(

If it's just the sensor it will be around 100

[atomiclord]

Well it was originally just the sensor. But my mechanic is completely non-electrical so he doesn't know a thing about resetting the codes etc Good bloke though.

So before I throw away $40, is it really likely that the codes need resetting? Annoying that there's nothing I can do from home.

[james22]

When you disconnect the battery the K.A.M is cleared, so if the light pops back up, there is still a fault somewhere.

[atomiclord]

What's a K.A.M?

Yeah when I did the ECU reset the battery was disconnected for over an hour, but the light never even flickered off when I hooked it all back up. Still on all the time.

I do have different branded front and rear tryes, but I think it unlikely they are the problem. The ABS used to work 6 months ago, but then flickered on and off, then just on all the time.

Ford just quoted me $140 to read the codes. What a rip!

[macman]

What's a sensor worth and where's the best place to get some?

[atomiclord]

They're about $120 from Ford. Really easy just unplug & spanner jobbie.

Nice ride BTW

[macman]

Cheers. Uhhh Ford... $120 shouldn't be spent lightly but I guess it's the cheapest part of the ABS setup... I wonder if they can be bought non-genuine (probably for about 1/3 of the price) haha.

[atomiclord]

I saw 2 S1 front sensors on ebay for $20 a while ago.

Or there's a wrecker in the Bayswater area that had a box of them on a shelf out back last time I was there. Forgot the name...

[macman]

Originally Posted by atomiclord

...there's a wrecker in the Bayswater area that had a box of them on a shelf out back last time I was there. Forgot the name...

I would be very interested to know the name of said Bayswater Wrecker...

[atomiclord]

Originally Posted by roberts

The easist thing and sometimes the cheapest take it to the dealer they diogniose it they will want you to pay a diognise time

Ford quoted me $140 to do this when I called them the other day. Stupid since when they replaced my speed transducer they threw the diagnostic in for free, and that whole job cost about $120!

So basically anyone with an OBDII scanner should be able to reset the code and pull any new ones? Ie. Autosparky, Ford, ebay shoppers etc.

Originally Posted by macman

I would be very interested to know the name of said Bayswater Wrecker...

I believe it was Allford wreckers. Munt St. 93701840. But I went to half a dozen wreckers that day so I'd call him to double check first! There was a box marked ABS filled with sensors on the shelves on your right as you walk out the back door. But I decided that $120 from ford wasn't too bad instead of risking an old sensor.

Originally Posted by roberts

if she has to brake hard not to crash, she needs to hard brake, release for a second, hard brake, release for a second and 5 more times

Called Pulse Braking, or Poor Man's ABS Did it in the pulsar for years haha.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by atomiclord

Called Pulse Braking, or Poor Man's ABS Did it in the pulsar for years haha.

Yep. ABS was invented for people who cant tell when the wheels have stopped but the car hasn't

[roberts]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Yep. ABS was invented for people who cant tell when the wheels have stopped but the car hasn't

haha true that, that was my point ounce explained what abs does most people find the extra cash to buy a new sensor, its like driving with the airbag light on your car will run but your airbag might not deplay and save your life. I guess the price ford quoted would have been more then a local mechanic, its mostly due to geniune parts(with better warranties) labour rates/over heads(you will struggle to find any dealer that can survive without a highly profitable service department, parts are next and a small profit is had at the shiney end of the dealership where they make you feel all warm and cozy.
So I guess if you want to drive a ford in the future then buy geniune and put something back into it, use the free transport they offer, drink from that whoop **** coffee machine. Would have to beat the standing around reading car mags from the 90s and drinking lukewarm black coffee while you wait. You want aftermarket from china or tawain start thinking about modding out your great wall wingle.

[roberts]

Originally Posted by atomiclord

I saw 2 S1 front sensors on ebay for $20 a while ago.

Or there's a wrecker in the Bayswater area that had a box of them on a shelf out back last time I was there. Forgot the name...

buying second hand sensors is a bandaid fix, its like putting second hand belts on your car always a chance you will have to do it again in a short time, i guess it depends on what you think your labours worth and how reliable you want your car to be and if your happy to let the missus run to the shop(remeber abs is there cause most people dont know how to heavy brake in a emergency situation) tell her if the light comes back on and if she has to brake hard not to crash, she needs to hard brake, release for a second, hard brake, release for a second and 5 more times before she crashes to stop the impact from being so bad and she might live.
Im sure the extra $100 will work more into your budget to get ford to fix it right the first time. Perspective is sweet

[roberts]

has your car been taken back to ford to have the code removed after the new sensor was fitted?
I will give you a tip after working in dealerships for years. When late model cars have a light come on the dash it leaves a code in the ecu, if a dealer or anybody with a scan tool clears the code but doesnt fix the issue then the light comes back on an loges another code to be cleared, when your mechanic replaced the i imagine the RHF sensor he needed it to be cleared if he sent you on your way he did it half arsed.
The easist thing and sometimes the cheapest take it to the dealer they diogniose it they will want you to pay a diognise time, if you agree to getting the work done they will normally but the diognoise time in the hole job(saves money) then you take it back they fit the part and clear the code all fixed onto the next thing if it dosnt fix the issue put it back on the dealership to diognoise it correctly and tell them you want be paying anything more, I have seen stupid amount of free parts and labour given out through bad diognoise. you wouldnt do it to your mechnic freind but there are diffrent rules for car dealerships.
If you take the car in have them diognoise it(rember the mechanic at a dealership clocks onto you job card before he even picks up you keys and drives it in the workshop he will do this twice if you take it back twice).Pick the car, dont get them to fix it pay some diognoise time, pay your mechanic to do the job them pay ford again to clear the code its doing it the hard way in my opion and really doesnt work out cheaper. Also car dealerships dont like diognoising things to have other mechanics get the job so you may even cop some DHT (dick head tax) on top of you invoice and diognoise/code clearing labour time.