ABS Light & E Brake light

[69cuda340s]

Originally Posted by Pot Hole

Still interested in knowing if a module off a junk (wrecked) Windstar can be put on a different vehicle? If I knew I could buy a (working) ABS module off a junk van and put it on mine for a lot less than a new one, I might consider that option given I only plan to keep my van for about 6 more months.

It sounds to me like the module has to be configured for the van. My guess is if you get one off a van that is the same year maybe it would work but I don't know:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you..._2001_Windstar

[garync1]

Originally Posted by Pot Hole

Still interested in knowing if a module off a junk (wrecked) Windstar can be put on a different vehicle? If I knew I could buy a (working) ABS module off a junk van and put it on mine for a lot less than a new one, I might consider that option given I only plan to keep my van for about 6 more months.

Ok yes you could most likely swap the ABS module. If it just a plug and play GREAT!!! But in some cases with car theft they validate the vin number in these units. So more than likely you would have to take to dealer to have them validate the VIN. In my state this runs about 75.00 bucks in my area in Fayetteville NC. So prices will very from dealer to dealer. An auto salvage yard should know this answer for you. Now some on the ECM cannot be changed. The ECM from the factory has the VIN to what is called Burned in the ECM which means it will only work in that car only period, You can flash and reprogram all day long and validate the vin number and it will still only want recognize the old vin.. So i am not sure if they do this on all the modules on these vans or just the ECM. Now if you get a new factory blank you can put what ever VIN number you want in them..

[garync1]

Originally Posted by 69cuda340s

It sounds to me like the module has to be configured for the van. My guess is if you get one off a van that is the same year maybe it would work but I don't know:

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you..._2001_Windstar

Again great info.. The configure comes with the flash and reprogram.. It contains what will happen when ABS is active. Because of the different weights of cars,trucks and van, programs will differ.. In the learn mode it picks up all information from sensors so when the ABS system becomes active it knows what to do.. Thats just a simple way to think of it. I could type all day here.

[69cuda340s]

Originally Posted by garync1

Again great info.. The configure comes with the flash and reprogram.. It contains what will happen when ABS is active. Because of the different weights of cars,trucks and van, programs will differ.. In the learn mode it picks up all information from sensors so when the ABS system becomes active it knows what to do.. Thats just a simple way to think of it. I could type all day here.

That is my take on it also. The modules are some what generic and need to be programmed for the specific vehicle. I called my local shop to see if they can program a new ABS module. The owner thinks they can but he is going to look into it further to be sure. I won't have an answer until next week.

My other option is to take it to a Ford dealer but they will probably charge me to diagnose the problem and they may also tell me to replace the HCU which I doubt is bad. But, if I take it to Ford and they say only ABS Module then I should be covered if it starts acting up again within the near future.

[garync1]

Originally Posted by 69cuda340s

That is my take on it also. The modules are some what generic and need to be programmed for the specific vehicle. I called my local shop to see if they can program a new ABS module. The owner thinks they can but he is going to look into it further to be sure. I won't have an answer until next week.

My other option is to take it to a Ford dealer but they will probably charge me to diagnose the problem and they may also tell me to replace the HCU which I doubt is bad. But, if I take it to Ford and they say only ABS Module then I should be covered if it starts acting up again within the near future.

They should not want you to change the HCU. They already know about the module going bad. At least my Ford guys here did.. My dealership here use to be hard to deal with.. But since I take my van in and let them do my 135.00 trans flush they have been good to me.LOL

[69cuda340s]

Originally Posted by garync1

They should not want you to change the HCU. They already know about the module going bad. At least my Ford guys here did.. My dealership here use to be hard to deal with.. But since I take my van in and let them do my 135.00 trans flush they have been good to me.LOL

I might end up taking it to Ford because my wife complains about those lights coming on and it causes her to talk about getting a new car.

[garync1]

Originally Posted by 69cuda340s

I might end up taking it to Ford because my wife complains about those lights coming on and it causes her to talk about getting a new car.

LOL.... . But I will say right now is a buyers dream for new cars.. Or at least on my area.. Now as for me I will be getting a new car soon. But I will Keep the van until it dies.. Does come in handy I will say..

[tripletdaddy]

LOL....!!! That's funny!!! You better hurry up! That sounds like the cheapest option now, now that the stakes have been raised! LOL.... . Wives really do rule the roost!

You guys now have me concerned. This business of having to confirm, program and burned in ids has me concerned. How do I figure out if I am stuck with such a dubious setup? I just recently had to replace the ECM on my 95 Taurus, 3.8, don't ask. I pulled a replacement from a junker with the same part number. I do know, you have to get the EXACT number on the original and can't use one for a different Taurus or Windstar engine. Nobody I called, went online to, or the junkyard said anything about this id issue.

[garync1]

Originally Posted by tripletdaddy

LOL....!!! That's funny!!! You better hurry up! That sounds like the cheapest option now, now that the stakes have been raised! LOL.... . Wives really do rule the roost!

You guys now have me concerned. This business of having to confirm, program and burned in ids has me concerned. How do I figure out if I am stuck with such a dubious setup? I just recently had to replace the ECM on my 95 Taurus, 3.8, don't ask. I pulled a replacement from a junker with the same part number. I do know, you have to get the EXACT number on the original and can't use one for a different Taurus or Windstar engine. Nobody I called, went online to, or the junkyard said anything about this id issue.

Well being that its a 95 I don't think it will come into play.. At least The problems I have ran into are mostly around 2000 and up.. 1996 they added more to the ECM. They give more info about whats going on in the system.I think all the way up to 95 they were more engine management based than information based. With these newer cars you really have big brother watching..I was surprised at what info I can pull from my ECM.. On OBD 1 systems I cant pick up as much info. If any at all at times..

[kayhanay]

Do you know if you have a faulty brake light bulb, the Abs light will come on. the little tungsten in the bulb can work sometimes and stop working if you hit a small bump while driving.

[69cuda340s]

Originally Posted by kayhanay

Do you know if you have a faulty brake light bulb, the Abs light will come on. the little tungsten in the bulb can work sometimes and stop working if you hit a small bump while driving.

Thats a new one on me. We have had light bulbs burn out on our 2002 and some light comes on in the dash indicating a light bulb needs replacing. I don't remember the ABS light ever coming from a bad light bulb and the codes I had pulled did not indicate a bad bulb.

[69cuda340s]

Originally Posted by tripletdaddy

LOL....!!! That's funny!!! You better hurry up! That sounds like the cheapest option now, now that the stakes have been raised! LOL.... . Wives really do rule the roost!

She never talks about a new car until their is a problem with the van. When everything is working correctly she is happy to stay with what she has.