2001 Ford F-150 ABS Warning Light

http://www.amazon.com/Actron-CP9449-BrakeScan-System-Diagnostic/dp/B000YJ053O

I've resisted the urge to buy one of these for reasons previously stated.

The temptation may be too great to resist, though.

Maybe there's an app for that?

Whadda ya know, there is.

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Now I'm totally confused. If I get one of these, I'll have to hire my 14 YO to run it for me.

The android kit...$250.00 the Actron reader..$49.95

Maybe the android kit has a fuction to fix the problem

I still can't understund why in today's cars that already integrate a double digit number of micrtocontrollers with vastly higher capabilities than was available to Apollo 11, you must connect something externally to troubleshoot. Or can I? And why am I the only one ranting? S.M.

They want you to "Take your vehicle to your nearest authorized (pick a brand) dealer for diagnostics and repair".

I bought my daughter a 2001 Focus for going back and forth to high school, and the same thing happened. After many days at the shop, the exasperated technician told me that he has seen this before saying it's a bad sensor on one of the wheels, and would cost $800 to diagnose which one and replace it. (cut to sound of exasperated father spinning on his heels and walking out). Don't intend on keeping the car long once she graduates, so my fix was to put a piece of electrical tape over the warning light . Oh, the brakes (including ABS) have always worked perfectly fine. Keeping my eye on the threads in case I get bored someday and want to look at it again.

Click and Clack would be proud of you.

I'm toying with buying a generic OBD/blue tooth gizmo and downloading an app.

I can do that for $20.00 USD.

Since the light has healed itself I may just ignore it, but the smart phone app may get a try.

I vote for the tape.

I just ordered:

AGPtek® Super Mini ELM327 V1.5 Bluetooth OBD2 OBD-II CAN-BUS Auto Diagnostic Scanner Tool
Now, for an app...........................................?

<Edit> AH always gives good advice and once again he has suggested a free course of action. Just seconds after I hit the "order" button.

I will probably do just what he suggests, and wait for the new toy anyway.

Again, just drive to AutoZone and have the attendant read the OBD II fault codes. It's free!

The fault codes will tell you what is going wrong. It may be as simple as a dirty connection at the sensor's connector or an intermittently failing sensor.

My understanding is that the ABS sensors are digital. They output a pulse for every fraction of a complete wheel revolution. When one or more wheels' pulse rate is different enough from the others' rate of pulses it determines the wheel(s) that are going slower to be the ones skidding and the ABS system kicks in.

I wouldn't worry about it. I have driven fords all my life and thats just one of the common come and go sensor related glitches they have.

An option that you have is one I just went through over the last few month with both my F250 and my wifes Mercury Grand Marquis. They both would occasionally toss up ABS warning lights that would go away the next time the vehicle was started.

Turns out being that both of them had odd engine misses related to spark plugs going bad when I changed the plugs neither has had the odd ABS light issues since.

If it keeps coming and going and you occasionally get odd little power stumbles going down the road change out your spark plugs. There is a fair chance that both issues will clear up after that.

I think the problem comes from the ignition system power and ABS controller power plus its sensors all running through the same wiring harnesses. Once the ignition noise from bad plugs gets bad enough it bleeds over into the ABS control giving it signal hiccups.

Our maintenance philosophies sound similar.

But, I haul 3 small (2 small/1 large) children with me all the time. That gives me a little more incentive to keep it factory equivalent.

Plugs were changed at 110,000 miles and I've not had any misfire indications.

I'm going to try some OBD scans and, if all else fails, I'll take it to the shop.

It's off now, so why worry.

I was tempted to say it's a Ford so don't worry about it unless the light goes off!

I was tempted to say it's a Ford so don't worry about it unless the light goes off!

There's been a 'abs' with a circle around it in the panel of my '95 f250 since I bought it in '98...I thought that meant it was working! It brakes evenly on all surfaces, I wonder if maybe the diesel injector pulse triggers it? I'll check it when the light goes off!

Hello Group... Ford being the great and all powerful, back in the late 70's or early 80's when the the advent of the Service Engine Soon lamp was just coming around, now affectionately know as the mil (malfunction indicator lamp), Ford had an on going problem with SES lamp coming on randomly, not sure about the year, make or model, Ford released a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) to remove the lamp, break the bulb, and put the lamp hold back in, Problem Solved!! Any ways with an ABS light coming on most likely a bad or about to go bad wheel sensor is at fault. The cheap Acton units will tell you what the stored code is, but won't tell you exactly which one is at fault. The more expensive scanners, such as the OTC Evo or similar scanners will but they are around $1500.00 with an $800 or $900 dollar update cost yearly. Better yet is the factory scanner with used can be $4000 to $10000 with a $1000 dollar yearly update! There is a catch with the OEM's if you don't by the yearly update, well you end up with a very expensive paper weight as no update no usa da scanner anymore.. OBD I was a pain, but you could diagnose with a O Scope.. OBD II much more hi tech, but a decent scanner can get you by.. OBD III which is just around the corner, to my understanding, only the OEM's will have access to the interface, hopefully the hackers will figure that one out for everyone.. Just keep the faith!!

lazy people take their vehicles to the dealer

Do you have a point, or just an opinion?

I have a wife so I don't think I am allowed to have either now.

Surly you aren't just now learning that, are you?

My wife allows me to have all the opinions I want to have. She just doesn't allow me to express them.

Actually no point or opinion, just a statement... Found On Road Dead

Yeah, I know and own one as well... Silly Me..

Fix, Or Repair Daily works for me. Not true any more.

With your brevity and insight, you should jump in more often.

We seem to have a lot of silly people here with no point or opinion, so you'd fit right in.

HEY, why pick on me?

I had a similar problem with my 2001 Chevrolet going into ABS events during slow stops on dry pavement. The problem showed up as a wheel speed sensor error using the $49 Actron code reader. It has been stated earlier that the cheap code readers will not tell you which of the 4 wheel speed sensors is the actual bandit. I unplugged each sensor and cleaned up the contacts, then coated them with dielectric grease. I then pluged the sensors back in repeatedly to further remove any corrosion. The system is working again without issues.

OK, it's a personal anecdote, but I replaced a rear hub (with ABS sensor) on a Ford, and then there were jerks on braking, like ABS working, and eventually the warning light came on. It was off on re-starting same as yours, but I'm sure it would have come on again if I'd driven far. Turned out the sensor was loose, but the M3 fixing bolt wouldn't go in further so I fitted a washer, and it was fine. It wouldn't be much of a job to check your sensors are tight and wiring OK.

The bearings went again 3 months later and the car failed its annual test, so likely a Friday afternoon job in China.

BTW my gambling tip - don't

I read your complaint now, ABS warning light on has too many reasons. Please check for me below minor lines, it will help you

1. Recently change any tire

2. Check your tire size all of same or?

3. Sensor

4. Brake fluid

1. Recently change any tire? No.

2. Check your tire size all of same or? Yes.

3. Sensor? Yes.

4. Brake fluid? Yes.

Yeah, check that wire harness, would ya?

Just pull the ABS fuse.....

Brakes will work fine.

And, you can "lock 'em up" whenever you want!

I'm not sure about the wisdom of disabling a factory installed safety device.

"I'm not sure about the wisdom of disabling a factory installed safety device."

Lyn, an accomplished driver, can probably handle this just fine. It is not an inconceivable eventuality that his wife or grandsons will be driving this truck.

It might even be sold... what are the ethical issues regarding this?

Thanks for the compliment. "I find walls" is my motto.

I'll leave the fuse in.

before you part with any greenbacks I'd suggest you actually get that floor jack out and put an eyeball on the wheel sensor. check for obstructions, grime, and good wiring....my bet is the sensor is just finished, of course if it were me while i was at it I'd bleed it and flush with new fluid just because its good maintenance, good luck

Well,

I've gotten a Bluetooth adapter that plugs into the ODBII port.

Now, when I can find the time, I'll either use my laptop or smart phone to look at the codes.

It's still intermittent, so, it's not just a fuse.

What you need top do is remove the entire wiring harness from the truck. Use a pressure cleaner with a strong de-greaser. Allow it to throughly dry for two weeks. Now just continue to drive the vehicle you were using for those two weeks.

Most ABS problems are related to speed sensors, or their connectors. The wheel bearings being loose can cause them to trip. Build up of metallic brake dust can also cause issues. Loose sensor mounting, same thing.

How about small battery powered digital clock with a clear case. Just stick it over the offending light, and you get an illuminated clock. (I expect the usual 15% royalties.)