please help me diagnose the ABS+Traction Control problem

My ABS + Traction control has been working all right till about a year ago on my '98 Windstar with 88K miles (right now).

It was snowing at the time and I remembered that after a few sliding a bit in the snow the Traction control light has been flashing and the ABS light on.

Now, as soon as I started the engine, the ABS light is on and the Traction control light flashes. You don't even need to put it to "Drive" gear to show these two lights.

So what could be the cause? Can it still be one of the wheel sensor being defective? Or is it that if the wheel sensor is bad, the ABS+Trac lights are on only when car is moving?

I called a few shops but they all said I need to go to the dealer to find out.

You may have set some DTC (diagnostic trouble codes) that can be read at a local autozone for free. They would help diagnose the problem.

HI
I don't think most Autozone's can read ABS codes. They can read OBDII codes as can many of us with our DIY code readers - Pulling the ABS codes is a different animal to my knowledge.
I do not have traction control but I do believe it operates hand-in-hand with your ABS. And I would guess that the ABS is more likely the problem.
My '96 (152K) will occasionally pop up the ABS code. In my case I can usually clear it by cleaning my rear wheel speed sensors. I have drum brakes on the rear: pull the rear drum off and you will see behind the wheel studs a ring with teeth on it that spins with the wheel. Very near the ring on the rear side if memory serves is the sensor which is a flat tab that sits quite close (1/4") to the ring. Using brake cleaner and an old toothbrush you can clean the brake dust and as much corrosion as possible off of the tab, and then also spray down the teeth of the ring. In my case this has cleared the ABS light fairly consistently. Also, many of us have found that the ABS system is very touchy as to brake fluid level so make sure you service the brake fluid right up to the full line.

Here is a photo of the sensor for a rear drum setup:
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDetail3.html?ALS190.html

Here is one of the front sensor. You can check their condition but cannot really service them quite like the rears although to clean them gently would hurt nothing:
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDetail3.html?ALS154.html

Hi, Busboy,
So when your ABS flashes, does it flash as soon as you turn on the engine and still in "P" gear?


HI
I don't think most Autozone's can read ABS codes. They can read OBDII codes as can many of us with our DIY code readers - Pulling the ABS codes is a different animal to my knowledge.
I do not have traction control but I do believe it operates hand-in-hand with your ABS. And I would guess that the ABS is more likely the problem.
My '96 (152K) will occasionally pop up the ABS code. In my case I can usually clear it by cleaning my rear wheel speed sensors. I have drum brakes on the rear: pull the rear drum off and you will see behind the wheel studs a ring with teeth on it that spins with the wheel. Very near the ring on the rear side if memory serves is the sensor which is a flat tab that sits quite close (1/4") to the ring. Using brake cleaner and an old toothbrush you can clean the brake dust and as much corrosion as possible off of the tab, and then also spray down the teeth of the ring. In my case this has cleared the ABS light fairly consistently. Also, many of us have found that the ABS system is very touchy as to brake fluid level so make sure you service the brake fluid right up to the full line.

Here is a photo of the sensor for a rear drum setup:
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDetail3.html?ALS190.html

Here is one of the front sensor. You can check their condition but cannot really service them quite like the rears although to clean them gently would hurt nothing:
http://info.rockauto.com/SMP/SMPDetail3.html?ALS154.html

Hi, Busboy,
So when your ABS flashes, does it flash as soon as you turn on the engine and still in "P" gear?

Hi

well it does not flash, it comes on and stays on. I believe it goes through a test on power up (key on or start) during which the ABS light is on. If it passes, the light goes out. I can even tell as I'm working whether or not I'm on track i.e. after I clean one side, I can turn the key to run, wait about 10 Sec. and if the light goes out I know I have cleared the problem.

Hope that helps. Perhaps the test/indication system is different on your year? Not sure. I have a '96.

I don't think most Autozone's can read ABS codes. They can read OBDII codes as can many of us with our DIY code readers - Pulling the ABS codes is a different animal to my knowledge.

Correct, they can not read ABS codes, only OBDII codes. My ABS light came on months aga so I pulled the rear drums and the sensors were heavily covered in brake dust. I used a paint brush to get as much dust out of that brake shoe and drum area as possible. Then I removed the one bolt on the back side, pulled the sensor out, and wiped it down with a clean dry rag. No more problems.

Correct, they can not read ABS codes, only OBDII codes. My ABS light came on months aga so I pulled the rear drums and the sensors were heavily covered in brake dust. I used a paint brush to get as much dust out of that brake shoe and drum area as possible. Then I removed the one bolt on the back side, pulled the sensor out, and wiped it down with a clean dry rag. No more problems.

How to pull the rear drums? Is it hard?
I have change disc brake pads, rotors many many times but I have never touched drum brakes. Thanks!

How to pull the rear drums? Is it hard?
I have change disc brake pads, rotors many many times but I have never touched drum brakes. Thanks!

Hi,

should not be hard. Remove the wheel, then the drum should slide off. Gentle taps around the circumference with a rubber mallet may help loosen it. Here is a nice photo with the drum removed and the sensor labeled, care of our moderator Wiswind:

http://rides.webshots.com/photo/1361356086011220610aXnisj