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First of all i am an experienced Marine Mechanic and have been doing it for 35 years now. I have experience with brake systems and most other procedures that do not require special tools to complete. I recently (5 mos ago)replaced my front wheel bearing assemblies as they were starting to get noisy. They came with the ABS sensors which admittedly I do not know much about. I changed the assemblies and it was a very easy repair. Noise gone and everything seemed fine. A few weeks ago during a rain storm my ABS light and stability control lights came on. The next day it was sunny and the lights went out and stayed out. A week later more rain and the lights are both back on. I assume it is a bad ABS sensor, but my scan tool is not able to tell which one it is since no code generates for this problem. I know that a more comprehensive and expensive tool can detect this bad sensor, but since I want to repair this problem myself I really wanted to avoid going to the dealer to be scanned.
The question I have is this: Is there a manual way to determine which ABS sensor might be defective?
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated and if anyone has a boat and needs assistance I’m the guy to ask. I have all those special tools…LOL
Any motor any boat I can help.
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I’m not sure but I think this question should go to the “Service and Repair Questions” section of the form. You would need to use a scan tool capable of reading the abs light. It could be the same sensor that was replaced or a different one. You wont know until you pull the codes.
Hello,
Go back to the connectors of the ABS sensors you replaced. Your problem sound like there is either a failed or missing weatherseal at one or both of the connectors allowing rain water to get in. Did you have this rail related problem before you changed out the bearings/sensor assemblies? Disconnect them and examine closely-I’ve received aftermarket sensors that were missing the proper weather seal right out of the box. It happens-even with dealer parts![quote=”sunset” post=61506]Hello,
Go back to the connectors of the ABS sensors you replaced. Your problem sound like there is either a failed or missing weatherseal at one or both of the connectors allowing rain water to get in. Did you have this rail related problem before you changed out the bearings/sensor assemblies? Disconnect them and examine closely-I’ve received aftermarket sensors that were missing the proper weather seal right out of the box. It happens-even with dealer parts![/quote]Thank you for the advice. I will check them today since the plugs are easily accessible in the engine compartment. If there are no seals i guess I can use some electrical cleaner and then add some dielectric grease and rubber tape.
Ok so I checked the boots on the connectors and they are ok. The connectors are actually inside the engine compartment and kept dry even in rain. I did use my garden hose on them and in the front wheels themselves to try to make the lights come on again and it did not. I also sprayed the rear wheels assuming that is where the connectors are for the rear ABS. No light.
The next day it rained and low and behold the lights are back on. The ABS and Stability Control lights. I am not sure why the Stability control light is on with the ABS, but I guess they are cooperative components and when one is down they are both down.
My friend has the scan tool for the job, but I was really hoping i could find this problem myself. It has to be a circuit shorting due to getting wet in the rain. But where? Also, a few times the lights would come on even if the car was parked and it was raining. Maybe wind blown rain? I am starting to run out of ideas on this one.
Any idea where I can look? Or do I just need to hook this up to the appropriate scan tool?Thanks,
Scott
Hello Fire488, ! looked back through the history of this issue and I still have my original question of “did you have this issue before you replaced the bearing/ABS assemblies?
[quote=”sunset” post=63241]Hello Fire488, ! looked back through the history of this issue and I still have my original question of “did you have this issue before you replaced the bearing/ABS assemblies?[/quote]
Thanks cor the reply. There was no issues beforehand. The scan I received at Autozone revealed a bad “LR wheel speed sensor” or something ljke that. I ordered it andwill replace it tomorrow.
OK I hope that resolves the problem for you. I don’t have any other thoughts on it at this point. It is always difficult when a new problem shows up right after you’ve worked on something related to the new problem, in your case the ABS/Stability Control system. BTW I can’t speak for FORD but on Toyota the MIL lights for both systems show up together anytime I’ve had to deal with them. fix the failed system and both lights go out. Have not seen a condition where there was a problem with both systems at the same time (yet).
The helpful technician at Autozone stated the for some reason when a wheel speed sensor fails it also generates a stability control light with it.
I’ll let you all know how I make out. Thanks!I removed and replaced the LR sensor and the lights went out for about 10 minutes, but then came back on again. I thought that by disconnecting and reconnecting the battery it may reset it, but it did not. I am going to get another scan I guess. This part was $115.00 and I really want to avoid changing all four. I checked the rear tone rings and they seem to be secure, but I will take a tool to them to see if they move with force I guess.
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