bleeding ABS brakes

[benw]

I have a 2001 Ford Ranger pick-up and I have air trapped in the ABS
system. I replaced the front calipers and left the disconnected hoses
hanging overnight and all the fluid drained out. When I put the
new calipers on and added new fluid, air got trapped in the system and
I can't get out.

I heard of another guy with the same problem and he
was told that the only way to get the air out is hook it up to a
electronic machine that can signal the ABS unit and cause it to
operate and move the air out into the lines so it can be bled.
However I was also told by another mechanic that if he hooked it up to
his high pressure bleed system he could move all the air out. Is this is true? Why wouldn't the pressure from the master cylinder be enough to move the air out but another high pressure system would..??

Can someone help me please???

[Airjer_]

You shouldn't have to do anything different than just bleed the brakes. A pressure bleeding of the entire system is not a bad idea. Master cylinders go dry all the time and once the leak is repaired normal bleeding is all that is needed to get the brakes up and running.

[benw]

I have tried the normal bleeding and I still have no breaks. I think the problem has something to do with the ABS system

[Airjer_]

Lets keep it simple. Are you sure you bled all the air out. Did you bleed the rears as well?

I'm not doubting your ability to bleed the brakes but I think it would be worth your time and money to have the system power bled before digging into the abs. The ABS requires the braking system to do what is expected of it but the brakes do not require the ABS to do whats required of them. I would be more suspicious of the possibility that the master cylinder is bad after pushing the pedal all the way to the floor. Since the pedal rarely travels that far all kinds of debris settles in that area. Push a vital seal through that area and theres the possibility of ruining it.

[benw]

I am fairly sure the problem is air in the ABS. Will a power bleed push this out or is it true what one mechanic told me that I need to go somewhere with an electronic system that communicates with the ABS in order to bleed out air?

[99MBSport]

Originally Posted by benw

I am fairly sure the problem is air in the ABS. Will a power bleed push this out or is it true what one mechanic told me that I need to go somewhere with an electronic system that communicates with the ABS in

order to bleed out air?

There is a control module on the left frame rail near the front wheel that you have to bleed 1st before you bleed the system. be sure to keep the PBRake bowl filled. Once this is done the ABS light on the dash will go out too. Then you can do the brake system as usual L/S Frt, R/S frt, L/S rear, R/S rear. Good luck