Hello All,
My '99 Escort ABS system activates under normal braking situations. I already cleaned off the sensors and the "gear tothed" rings on the wheels and still does it. Any suggestions? Anyone have similar situation they fixed? Thanks.

Justrfb

 

Should be checked for DTC's and 'mismatched' speed indication for the whell sensors..

 

Thanks Hayapower,
What is a "DTC"? I am toying with the idea of just spending the (quoted) $60.00 for a used ABS module (under pass. seat) and going from there. This would be a little cheaper than getting a diagnose from my local dealer. What do you think? Thanks for your help...

Justrfb

 

DTC's are Diagnostic Trouble Codes..

Does the braking issue occur eveytime you brake?

Do youget an ABS light? If it has a stored code, it would give you a/some direction at least for a repair.. By watching the speed sensors on a scanner, you can tell 'or' match them to the vehicles speed for any indicated fault.. I'd be a bit leery about anythingused, and if it proves out to be a mismatched speed through one of the sensors your back in the same boat..

 

Hey Hayapower,
Thanks again for your reply... Between my wife and you, I am convinced I should stop fishing for answers and just bring it to the dealer. In the long run, if they can "hook-up" and pin-point the exact issue ... Much better than what I was going to try. I always work on my own cars though so old habits are hard to break.
On that note, could I bug you again (or anyone else who knows for sure) and ask what (if anything) I have to do to the ABS pump to bleed out and change all the brake fluid? I have 3 Escorts (just got this one about a month ago) and this is the first one with ABS... Thanks again for your time and concern...

Justrfb (checking all my options...)

 

My car is at the dealer for repair... I will report tomorrow on diagnose. Could someone please answer what, if anything I need to do with concern for my ABS pump when bleeding brakes to change fluid? Thanks.

Justrfb

 

Hello again...
The dealer said it was the tone ring... It is the ring that is on the drive axle with teeth on it. It is broke, "you can turn it"... It looks like a gear on the CV joint. The sensor (by induction) picks up each tooth as the wheel and drive shaft rotate and this is how the computer knows the speed of each wheel. $250.00 diagnose, R&R the ring and tax. Not too bad... Makes sense to me because there was no ABS light illumination (means electronics was not the issue) and they got the wheel right (I did not tell them which wheel you could feel the false activation on).
Can anyone help me on my question? Do I need to concern myself with the ABS pump when I bleed the system (including clutch slave cylinder) to change brake fluid? Thanks.

 

I heard some place that there is a procedure to follow that you have to turn on the car etc. However, I have used a hand vacuum system for several years on ABS systems(replaced ABS controller and pump on95 Windstar, as well as several bleeds on a 92Grand Am (by 196k miles both calipers and a flex line had to be replaced))that can be picked up at a parts store that has a reservoir cup to catch fluid. Never had any problems. Just a thought, under 10mph ABS does not operate....so sitting still I always figured the system would allow me to bleed just like cars w/o ABS...........