[RR67GTO]

Hello friends, I still have my 03 EB explorer and still have minor problems from time to time. I just had the brakes completely changed. All new calipers and rotors loaded and installed on all wheels. the shoes for the E brake were also replaced.

I had this done at a decent shop, that I have had work done by before over a few years. I, wanted to to the break in on the new brakes, so I did it the way I've read from the web pages, and everything went well for two days.

Then, my ABS light started to illuminate, and stay on. It continued to do this for a few days, and then went out and didn't come back on for a long time.

I did, however call the shop and told them about it. Before having the brakes replaced, I had never seen the ABS light other then when starting the car for the start up test it goes through. The shop, said to bring it back so they can see what it causing it. But, making an appointment with them has been imposable for now.

So, the light stayed of for a few weeks, and I, thought that perhaps some reason with the new brakes it came on and once the brakes were good and broke in it went out. Dumb, I know.

So, I had to take a 20 mile trip the other day,and on the way back at normal driving 75 mph, the darn ABS light came on and stayed on. Well, I had to pull into a state park and let the dog out, so while she was out doing what dogs do. I, took the opportunity to use the empty parking lot and try doing what my Father taught me when I was a kid. Go fast in reverse, and stop hard to adjust the brakes. I was taught that normal backing up, wont alway adjust brakes, so go faster and brake harder to do a better adjustment. I, did this a few times, and the ABS light went out and stayed out the rest of the way home.

The next day however, the little idiot came on again and is doing the same thing. Staying on. Now, yeah I can take it to a shop, and maybe have them replace something. But, what if it's only something minor, like a connection? Something that wont cost me a lot of coin, unless I depend on a shop to do a check of the system.

The cost of running a check of the ABS system is eighty bucks, and that's only a check, not repair if one is needed.

So, is there some way I can personally trace down what may cause this? One more thing. When I first brought the cab back after having the brakes replaced. The kid who cleaned up and did the installation of the wheels over filled the Master. IN fact, filled it to the brim. I, removed some of the fluid, because it was so high if I removed the cap it would run out.

Thank you for any advise you may have. I like the way the new brakes are, but when the ABS is on, I do not believe I have the same amount of braking as when it's not on.

Mike

[Bill Eveland]

The most likely cause on those is the rear abs sensor in the top of the rear end. If you have a dvom meter, check for an open circuit . A good sensor will have resistance , this sounds like intermittantly the sensor is going out. The sensors are pretty cheap . Is there an Autozone around that checks that stuff for free? At least check engine lights anyway.

There is a single bolt with a 10mm head that holds the sensor in, kinda hard to get to the connector and sensor but not too bad to do. Just make sure the new sensor is fully seated in the rear end.

[mechanickeith]

The rear ABS sensor should have between 1800-2000ohms resistance.

[sleepy]

check for corrosion on the wheel sensors. Chevy had a recall on that. OR uses chemicals on the roads in the winter and it eats the metal on the sensors.

[RR67GTO]

Thank you everyone. I found the correct shop manual for my Explorer and was reading about these sensors, and they ABS light. So, I thank you all for the help. I, will be looking at these areas later today, it the weather allows it.

When the ABS light comes on. Sometimes, I can notice that the brake pedal feels like it is pulsating even under normal braking conditions. I, thought it meant that perhaps the rear brakes weren't working when both the ABS light and pedal did this. Either way, it is a must to be fixed no matter what it takes. Good day friends. Mike in Oregon

[69goatboy]

Originally Posted by RR67GTO

Thank you everyone. I found the correct shop manual for my Explorer and was reading about these sensors, and they ABS light. So, I thank you all for the help. I, will be looking at these areas later today, it the weather allows it.

When the ABS light comes on. Sometimes, I can notice that the brake pedal feels like it is pulsating even under normal braking conditions. I, thought it meant that perhaps the rear brakes weren't working when both the ABS light and pedal did this. Either way, it is a must to be fixed no matter what it takes. Good day friends. Mike in Oregon

Wheel sensors, either in the front (on each wheel) or the back as previously suggested.

I had the same issue with my 99 F-150. Coming to a stop, sometimes the brake pedal would go to the floor while barely stopping the truck. (ABS light on, just like yours). After talking with the shop I use, I disconnected one of the wheel sensors, essentially disabling the system. This allowed for safe powered braking, but no ABS. I ran it that way for about 2-3 years. I finally got it fixed though.

There should only be 1 pair of wires coming from each spindle, find one of them and trace it back to a connection, dis-connect it and tie it up to keep it from being tangled on something until you can get the sensor issue resolved.