I'm having same sort of problem, ABS light comes on at key turn, goes off, start Truck then at 5 mph ABS turns on and stays on. Changed Diff sensor, fuses all good, break fluid full and all breaks good. Next thinking of taking yellow dash light out? Is there a reset button I missed or a jumper wire I can ground? Help!
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Welcome to the forum

Please post Year of your Ranger

 

This is what I am now noticing. When I start my Ranger, the ABS and Brake lights come on and then turn off, as if everything is fine. As I am backing down my driveway, and applying my brakes, the ABS and Brake lights come on and stay on until I turn the engine off. What I am noticing now is that after turning the engine off and then restarting it, the lights come on and then turn off and stay off. It's almost like the lights only come on when the engine is cold. Does that make sense to anyone?
Also, still unable to find Ford part no. XL5Z2B373AARM, brake proportioning valve. I can only find used ones and not sure I would be any better off.

 

The RED brake light comes on if the Parking brake pedal is not all the way up, OR if fluid in brake master cylinder is low

The YELLOW ABS light will come on after moving IF the RED brake light is on

So the red light can turn on the yellow light, but the yellow light will not turn on the red light

Red light should come on with Key on if.................the parking brake pedal is down, test that it does and then goes off when pedal is up, just to take that off the table

Next pump the brake pedal, engine running, see if red light comes on, that would indicate low fluid level or failing fluid level sensor, or corroded connector, its on the side of the Master, 3 wires

These are both Ground activated, if the wire to the red light is grounded by either the red light comes on
If its the fluid level then Yellow light also comes on

Yes, ABS system resets with key off, every time
ABS yellow light usually won't come on until moving, once its on it will usually stay on but not always, but will reset with key off

If there is a problem in the ABS system only the Yellow light will come on, no Red light

 

1. The emergency brake light goes out when it is released.
2. The brake light does not come on when I pump the brakes.
3. Backed out driveway, ABS and Brake lights come on almost at the exact same spot as always, half-way down the driveway, with brake pedal depressed.

Thanks!
Mike

 

There's a used one on ebay for (ughhhh) $295.
1997 2007 Ford Truck Van OEM E9TZ-2B373-AR ABS Brake Solenoid Modulator Valve

When I look at the pictures, it looks just like the valve for the earlier model except for the bracket it bolts to. Cardone part number 12-2029 is a remanufactured unit for my 1996 Ranger, sells for $160 with a $60 core charge on Rock Auto. Alternatively, you can get it on Amazon for $200.

In your position, I'd be tempted to just buy it from Amazon, compare it physically to the one on your truck, measure the resistance of the two solenoids and compare that to the old unit. If those check out, adapt it, or return it if it doesn't match.

 

Ron, I'm beginning to think that it may be the emergency brake switch that is causing the problem. When I press the emergency brake, sometimes the brake light comes on, sometimes it doesn't.
The brake/abs lights seem to come on more often after I have used the emergency brake. I sanded the connection point for the emergency brake switch but no improvement.
Could it be the emergency brake switch? I remember you said that the brake light will cause the abs light to come on, but the abs light will not make the brake light come on.
The local brake shop says it is the brake proportioning valve, but I am beginning to think that it is something else.
What do you think?
Thanks!
Mike

 

RonD,

Thanks for your answers, I have learned much from them. I have a 1994 Ranger 2.3L 4x2 that I drove off the showroom floor in 1994. Need help with my brakes. Left rear wheel is locking up when I brake. Anything past very mild braking will squeal that left rear wheel. I have had the left wheel and drum off and cleaned. There was no grease or fluid in there to make it lock up. A couple of years ago I performed a rear brake job and totally replaced the rear wheel brake cylinders. I noted what you said earlier, and I do feel the pulsing of ABS sometimes. I have both a red brake light and yellow light on constant. The yellow ABS light does go out at startup, but then comes right back on. Emergency brake cable was really loose and had the front cable replaced last year. Emergency brake not holding the truck well on a hill at all. Plan to replace the rear brake emergency brake cable soon, but I don't think that is what is causing this problem. My 1994 has the ABS control module along drivers side frame underneath. The red brake light was not coming on prior to this driver left wheel locking up during braking.

I could really use some help diagnosing this one. Thanks in advance for your input.

docsanders