Speedometer/ABS Problems

I have a 2000 windstar - approx 85,000 kms. When driving the vehicle the ABS light came on. That same night the battery was drained and after the boost the speedometer was giving incorrect readings. I was on the highway and the speedometer was indicating 40-50 kms/hr when I was really doing about 110-120 kms/hr. It is still giving incorrect readings 5 days later. I am going to bring the car in to the dealer in 2 days but I am wondering if all these issues are related, or are they just a coincidence. I thought it might be a battery problem but the auto club said that the battery was fine (needed a bit of charging but it was definetely taking a charge). The check engine light is NOT illuminated. Any ideas?

I have more or less the exact same problem with my 2000 Windstar. Not having the equipment to check out the Front ABS ECU (computer that controls the ABS system), I took my van to the dealer and they told me that my ABS & Traction Control lights being on and my Speedo reading 1/2 speed were all related to a faulty Front ECU, which they would happily change for $780 for the part + $160 for the labor. Needless to say, I have not had them do anything yet and will likely find the part on my own and do it myself.

If you have your's troubleshot at the dealer, please post the results, as I (and probably others) would be very interested in seeing if the diagnosis are similar.

Good luck...

I no longer have the car - sold it in September. If I remember correctly it was the ABS sensor. I am out of town at the moment but will look at my bill and give you a part/cost breakdown when I get home in a few days. The cost was way less than $760 + $160.

I'll let you know...

Just looked at my bill. The dealershop wrote this as the reason for the Speedometer problem and ABS light being on:

"Hook up NGS. Codes-C1155, C1235. Pin point Test and found left front speed sensor at fault."

1.8 Hours Labor - $143.91 (Canadian)
Part - $35.45

They actually didn't charge me for the part so the total came to $162.29 after all taxes.


I hope this is of some help. Please let me know how it turns out.

Thanks for looking the information up for me!!! I hadn't seen the date of your original post, so I thought it was more recent. Nevertheless, I appreciate you taking the time & trouble to follow up!

In my case, the ABS and traction control lights just came on out of the blue and the speedo started running at 1/2 speed "after" I changed the left-front ABS sensor, which I happened to break by accident while changing the front struts.

Anyway, that's my sad story and I can certainly understand why you sold your van. After seeing the poor engineering involved in the strut design and the clumps of dirt--yes, dirt!--embedded in my brake rotors from the manufacturing process, I really lost hope that Ford gave (or gives) any kind of a you-know-what about quality and/or standing behind their vehicles. As much as I would like to continue to buy American, I won't if this is the best they can do. Fortunately, my F-150 is holding up a bit better than my Windstar, although I am knocking on wood right now!

Thanks again,
Matt