[Shotimes] anti-lock light

[Carl Prochilo]

Thanks to help from this listserv, I'm at a closure point on my Anti-Lock
light problem.  Here's the last chapter (knocking on wood).  I'd like to thank
Ken Epperly for providing the information on pulling the codes.

I had a repeat occurrence of the ABS light coming on, so I pulled the codes a
second time (34 and 38 only this time) and they told me to look at the driver
side rear ABS sensor.  I should point out here in both code pulls the same
code came up first.  Upon examination, the ring gear is fine.  At 11 years old
my car is hardly rust free.  From what I observed, rust particles and dirt had
gotten onto the sensor and almost eliminated any gap between the sensor and
the ring gear.  The problem was very subtle and I almost missed it.  To take
care of the debris, I used some brake cleaner and a nylon bristle brush to
clean it up back there.  Now there's a nice visible gap.  After several
spirited drives the light has stayed off.  I've also tested the ABS repeatedly
by putting each side of the car on grass and hitting the brakes with positive
results.

One reason I think this happened in the first place was because the entire
rear brake system, including the e-brake, was replaced, and because there is
so much rust, I'm assuming that it settled back on the ABS sensor which was
one of the few things that actually stayed in place.   The debris wasn't much
but enough to cause the ABS system to shutdown intermittently.

So the moral of the story is,
  1.. Pull the codes.  Do this at least twice to insure that the problem
you're chasing isn't moving around.  By twice I mean get the codes cleared,
then drive the car and let the ABS light come on again, then pull the codes a
second time.
  2.. Use the very first number as the starting point for your investigation.
There's a good chance you'll get two or more codes.
  3.. Since you're going to have to jack the car up and pull the wheel to get
a good look, you might as be prepared to clean that area.  Inspect the sensor,
the ring gear and the cable.
  4.. If the ring gear is fine and you are still getting codes, a good
cleaning might resolve your problem.  If not I would move on to the sensor,
keeping in mind that you may have to destroy the old sensor to remove it if
your car has any rust.

Cheers,
Carl Prochilo
92 Ultra Red Crimson
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Carl Prochilo
  To: Epperly ; Shotimes@autox.team.net
  Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 5:59 PM
  Subject: Re: [Shotimes] anti-lock light


  Here's an update.  If you call AZ, chances are they'll tell you they can't
pull the codes.  However, in reading a lot of the posts on shoforum.com, it
appears that most generic testers in the 20 USD range can pull codes from both
the EEC-IV and the ABS.

  For this sort of thing, the "Ken" method works perfectly fine.  If you have
trouble finding the connector, look for a red plastic holder that has the
words Anti-Lock Test stamped on it.  The actual test connector unclips from
the holder so you can get at the pins.

  For my car, the codes I pulled are:

  34,
  35,
  36,
  28,
  37,
  62,
  78

  There does appear to be a recurring theme for the LH Rear Sensor in that it
shows up three times.  Hopefully I can find time soon to pull the wheel and
checkout the wiring to make sure it all is in good shape.

  Does LH = driver side?

  So given this set of codes, do y'all recommend anything else to try.

  Ken,  Public thanks for sending the EXACT information I needed.

  Cheers,
  Carl Prochilo
  92 Ultra Red Crimson
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: "Epperly" <epperly1@optonline.net>
  To: <Shotimes@autox.team.net>
  Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 5:16 PM
  Subject: Re: [Shotimes] anti-lock light


  > The codes can be read by grounding the trigger with the ground pin on the
  > anti-lock test plug. With  the clip side up tapered side the second from
the
  > right on the bottom is the trigger and the one above it, top right is the
  > ground.
  >         Ken
  > > Although I have never checked, I would think that some of the larger
  > > brake/muffler places would be able to read the ABS codes, as I would
find
  > it
  > > hard to believe that Midas would send someone to a Ford dealer.
  > >
  > > Ron Porter
  > >
  > > -----Original Message-----
  > > From: shotimes-admin@autox.team.net
[mailto:shotimes-admin@autox.team.net]
  > > On Behalf Of Kevin & Cheryl Airth
  > > Sent: Monday, July 21, 2003 9:52 AM
  > > To: Carl Prochilo; Shotimes@autox.team.net
  > > Subject: Re: [Shotimes] anti-lock light
  > >
  > >
  > > Carl:
  > >  The ABS codes can only be retrived with the Ford tool at the dealer.
All
  > > the ABS codes and troubleshooting is in the big Helm shop manual.
  > > .
  > > .
  > >
  > > > Anyone know where I can find the procedure to pull the ABS codes and
  > their
  > > > meaning?  The FAQ has no information on the ABS system.
  > > >
  > > > Cheers,
  > > > Carl Prochilo
  > > > 92 Ultra Red Crimson
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