[Fordina]

Thanks for all of the ideas!! Here's what we've tried: we looked for metal shavings and rust, etc. on the ABS sensor and found nothing unusual. We did, however, find the same metal plate (that Wiswind mentioned in his email) bent out of shape but we took that piece out and hammered it back into its proper shape (as the one on the other side of the van looked) and put it back (Note: All this has taken place only on the left front wheel where it seems the initial sound is coming from - it is hard though to pinpoint the sound). We went out for a test-drive and there was still the same sound followed immediately by the ABS light coming on -- right after acceleration.

We checked the manual regarding the ABS system, and it says the ABS system does a self-check at 4 mph. It also said that a mechanical sound will be heard when the system does this self-check. If the self-check detects any problems with the ABS system, the ABS light will come on. However, the sound we are hearing is a new unusual sound that has developed but it occurs at the same time that the "normal" mechanical sound is supposed to occur at the self-check.

We jacked up the front of the van and accelerated beyond 4 mph in an attempt to more accurately locate the sound. Interestingly, the van did not make the sound while up on the jack. Why would that be?

In the mean time I probablly need to check the sensor on the right front wheel as well and possibly the back wheels too. Could it be that a sensor just needs to be replaced? I just do not know why this would make any unusual sounds upon initial acceleration prior to the ABS light coming on. Can any of you think of anything else?