ABS activating no code.

[96wWindstar180K]

Well another perplexing problem. I just replaced the front and rear pads on my 96 Windstar 3.8 litre. The pedal had been real low and not stopping well. I pulled the front passenger tire and found the pads to be about 1/16" caught them in time no rotor damage. The backs were in the same condition (4 wheel discs) I had the rotors cut and installed the pads. Blead the breaks front and rear and now the ABS activates when almost completely stopped on dry pavement. I have had a previous problem with the trac off light blinking but no abs activation. From what I have read the flashing trac light has something to do with lossing communication with the pcm. Im not sure where that connection is. Dirty connector? The weird thing is the ABS activating when almost completely stopped. ANY suggestions. Thanks.

[wiswind]

The ABS should activate at low speed braking when you have first started out....as a self test.
It should only do this 1 time.....
I only notice it when backing out of my driveway.

I would guess that you cleaned the ABS exciter ring (looks like a gear) with a liberal amount of brake cleaner when you did the brake job.
You could also check the sensor at each wheel to make sure that 1 did not get bumped to a bigger gap from the exciter ring.

[DRW1000]

Originally Posted by wiswind

The ABS should activate at low speed braking when you have first started out....as a self test.
It should only do this 1 time.....
I only notice it when backing out of my driveway.

Wiswind, Just out of curiousity do you mean every drive?

[96wWindstar180K]

Wiswin
Thanks for the reply congratulations on the moderator job. I see it could be alot of work though. You really have things organized.

In responce to the cleaning of the abs exciter rings. Yes I did all four. I removed the rotors in the back and cleaned the sensor and rings with brake cleaner.

I just was looking on the Autoengenuity sight. E-mailed them to find out if there computer based OBD included a ABS funtionality and they said for the Windstar it did with the add on. I am considering it. I have to find out if the pcm stores past codes and if it will read the codes without the light being on.

Anyways thanks for your help in the mean time any other ideas would be appreciated.

Ill let everyone know about the info from Autoenginuity regarding ABS with prices as I find out more.

[wiswind]

My understanding is that the ABS self test happens with each startup and drive cycle.
I could be wrong....and, as I said....I barely notice it.

[96wWindstar180K]

Just an update. I have not had a chance to look more at the abs problem. I did research on the internet about the problem. While not specific to the Windstar I found this article about my problem. http://www.picotech.com/auto/article...osing-abs.html Ill check this weekend.

[96wWindstar180K]

After looking at the sight listed above I decided to take a look at the abs sensors. I decided to check the one I had to replace about 8 months ago. I had a half shaft go bad on the driver side. I had Sears replace it as it was not that expensive and life time warranty on the part and 6 months on labor. After a few months I realized I was having an abs problem and progressivley got worse until the light was on all the time.I pulled the wheel looked at the sensors and found the sensor had been rubbing on the exciter gear on the half shaft. I couldnt figure how that could be because the sensor is not adjustable. I replaced the sensor and Sears replaced the half shaft for free. When I replaced the sensor since it had been hitting on the old exciter gear I figured it would hit on the new so I put a small 3/16" washer behind the bolt on the sensor. That was prior to them putting in the new half shaft. I totally forgot about it until I read that article an got to thinking the distance between the sensor and the exiter ring could be to large. I removed the washer and took it for a 15 minute drive. No abs activation at low speed or at all. If anything changes Ill report back.