ABS Brake Issue

1995 Windstar makes a noise like a "sick cow" on the drivers front side most of the time when brakes are applied and car is coming to a stop. It sounded like it was from the left wheel location. Have replaced front wheel pads and left front wheel caliper: cleaned the sensor and wheel teeth. Someone suggested it could be the ABS control unit which is located under the battery on the left side. ABS light does not come on. Could it be a bad sensor on that wheel or is the control unit the culprit? What is precedure for testing the sensor? (Car has over 200,000 miles on it) Thanks for any help you can give.

Do you have any Notice Lights on? In the pasted? Light is off now but was on before?
Sounds like your ABS pump isnt up to par.
If you Have a ABS light, get it scanned for codes. If no light, Bleed your system with fresh Brake fluid. Suck out old fluid, and refill, then bleed.. Best way is to bleed them with the Key in the on position, engine off. Some have a level sensor on the rear axle, so bleed them on the ground. If jacked up with the rear wheels hanging, It will slow the fluid flow to the rear wheels. Not sure if your system has this feature tho.

In todays cars Mileage means nothing.. My family has a Toyota very close to a Million miles.

agape

I had this happen on my 95. It turned out to be the rear ABS sensors were too far away from the ring and also dirty from brake dust. Another issue was that the rear wheel bearings had some slop in them thus increasing the gap from the sensor and ring.

Clean, adjust (just so the sensor doesn't touch the ring) and repack the rear wheel bearings.

Regards

Dan

Thank you tartersauce and Dan. One thing I didn't mention was that I previously pulled the fuse on the ABS system and as long as it was out there was no noise.
Dan, I recently repacked the rear wheel bearings, but did not check sensors for dust or out of adjustment.
Unless I hear differently, I am going to do both the brake fluid flush(never has been flushed ) and check the rear sensors. Thanks again!!!!

Bob

agape

I had this happen on my 95. It turned out to be the rear ABS sensors were too far away from the ring and also dirty from brake dust. Another issue was that the rear wheel bearings had some slop in them thus increasing the gap from the sensor and ring.

Clean, adjust (just so the sensor doesn't touch the ring) and repack the rear wheel bearings.

Regards

Dan
LeSabre, read your 95 van has noises at startup. Rod noises? You may just have weak lifters making those rattling noises at startup after a long sit. You should look into it, and try changing to a thinner oil and thicker oil just to see if it is lifters. They do get loud when they wont stay primed...
Rod bearings get louder the hotter the engine gets.. Which in your case, it goes away..


In todays cars Mileage means nothing.. My family has a Toyota very close to a Million miles.
YES A 22R engine carb..Auto Two timing Chains, one automatic rebuild, Change oil at 3k, Gaskets etc. Carb rebuild once, A few Choke parts, A few batteries hehe.. And One radiator.. Still passed inspection and no smoke.. Amazing engine, if you can still find one..
We had to change the two front fenders because of rust, but for 44 bucks a piece who cares right..
My inlaws, Hes in he mid 60s and bought it brand new. Runs everyday with a Ladder Rack, Painter by trade.. 6300 bucks new.. wow

Tarter

When I did the headgaskets I also changed the rod bearings. They were showing copper on just about all of them on the top. #6 was the worst and the rod I was hearing at startup. The noise went away after I replaced the inserts. I just put in std. inserts. I didn't do anything to the crank or check clearence.

Regards,.

Dan

Dan and Bob, I have the 95, 3.8 with 140k. Was wondering what mileage yours' have. What major things you needed done at what mileage and what can I expect from mine? And any advice and anything else you'd like to add. Others are certainly welcome to chime in too. :)
Thanks