'97 Windstar GL ABS actuates rear brakes when stopping

Intermittently, I feel the ABS pulsing in the rear brakes just as I'm reaching a complete stop. This happens as the vehicle is only maybe 3 feet from a standstill. When this does happen, it seems to reduce stopping energy (which makes perfect sense). I'm new to the Windstar so does anyone know anything about this?

This happened to me with a 2000. It turned out to be a rear ABS sensor that looked like it exploded. I'm not sure what caused it, but I replaced the sensor and all is well. Sensor cost about $60 from dealer and was a little tricky to get at. The sensors can get rusty or dirty or a wheel vibration may throw them out of whack. My problem was obvious upon inspection, yours may be less visible or it may not be a sensor at all! Just going on my experience. Good luck!

Thanks, the wheel speed sensor was going to be my first choice for troubleshooting this. I have to figure out which rear wheel sensor is defective. Fortunately, this fault is still just intermittent. I will update this string when I have a chance to investigate it more closely.

Unless this vehicle only has rear ABS, I would not assume that it is the rear sensor. I swore my problem was coming from the front brakes and I even had a mechanic tell me that it was likely the front. Well, upon further review... Again, perhaps this vehicle only has rear ABS, but mine has it all around. Just something to consider.
By the way, my problem started intermittently and then progressed to always. No fun when coming up behind another vehicle.

If you find that it is a sensor issue, try rockauto.com (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/rockauto.com) -- pretty reasonable compared to dealer. Let us know how it goes.

Intermittently, I feel the ABS pulsing in the rear brakes just as I'm reaching a complete stop. This happens as the vehicle is only maybe 3 feet from a standstill. When this does happen, it seems to reduce stopping energy (which makes perfect sense). I'm new to the Windstar so does anyone know anything about this?

MurphyMax

The Windstar has 4 wheel ABS. Here is a link of one of the fixes for the ABS coming on at slow speeds.: http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=452359&highlight=anti+lock+brakes .

Also, check the rear wheel bearings. The ones on my 95 were repackable and adjustable. If the bearings are loose, the sensor ring could move away from the sensor causing a wider gap.

Regards

Dan