SO i went out wheeling today in the mudd.. got the truck up past her doors in mudd and water..

had nice rainstorms all last week so I had to go play..

Anyhow.. the ABS light is now on.. any ideas why?

I have cleaned out the brakes and everything.

 

My ABS light typically comes on while muddin and last time it actually was turning off and on for like 5 min straight then it shut off.

How long has the light been on?

 

oh it goes off when i start the truck but as soon as i push the brakes its back.. so about 4 hours.

 

the wheel speed sensor could be clogged with mud.

 

Yeah, I've never had it stay on that long so I'm as clueless as your are right now. Try cleaning the wheel speed sensor and take her for a drive.

 

any help on where this sensor is?

 

Ford Ranger Speedometers - How They Work

this should help. I had to use it when my speedo when out.

 

That is the vehicle speed sensor, he needs the wheel speed sensor.
It should be at the end of your outer CV joints near the inside of the steering knuckle i think.

 

rear sensor is on the top of the rear axle housing. You can't miss it.

front sensors are bolted to the knuckle. follow the wire on the side of the frame coming from behind your bumper and follow it to the sensor. takes an 8mm to remove the sensor. use some brake cleaner and a clean rag to get it clean, then reinstall.

How's the fluid level on the brake resevore? I know on alot of Ford's, where there's not enough fluid in there, it'll trigger the ABS light or the Parking brake light.

 

You really should change your diff fluids front and rear. Water can come in though the vent lines. They don't go very high. So water can easily get in if you go though water. Same with the transmission.

 

All fluids are good luckily. Next.. the abs light is on so i need to clean that i think.. i went to hit my brakes today and they just straight LOCKED up.. any ideas?

 

They tend to do that when abs doesn't work.

Cheap options

1 reset the computer. This can clear a code that has been resolved. Thishappend to for me when ford claimed my "g switch" was bad.

2 replace the rear abs sensor. It should be about 20 bucks. Again reset the computer.

3 clean your front sensors

Now for the pricey and easiest option.

Take it to get the code read. This means dealer. It will cost about an hour of labor minimum for them to read the code and not fix the broken item. They will qoute a you price to repair it if you choose to go that route.

Who really needs abs anyway?

 

Oddly enough.. ABS light just went off hasnt come on since.