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2011 Sport 4.0. ABS sensor


TallCanadian

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So it’s been a couple of weeks since I’ve worked on my truck. Mostly due to frustration, but work keeps me busy. I replaced both calipers and now the brakes are no longer locking up and causing traction control issues. My new challenge is the anti lock brake working when I press the brake pedal. I have no abs light on. But I get that pulsating pedal and that grinding sound. I’ve been doing some research and watching videos, etc. This is what I have done. Check abs fuse. Fuse is okay. Unplugged both sensors and checked ohms and voltage on both sensors by spinning the wheels. I get nothing on either sensor. I’ve taken the brakes, rotors all off again and cleaned sensors. I’m really at a loss here and need your help. Could both sensors have gone bad since I replaced all the brake parts? It doesn’t make sense. And yes, both rotors have the rings in them. And I checked the part numbers to make sure I received the right rotors.
 


Bgunner

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The ABS pump is activating because a, possibly more, wheel speed sensor/s are reading an incorrect speed compared to the other wheels. If one sensor is a little weak it can cause this issue you are experiencing. Ford dealerships have more sophisticated diagnostic programs than we, common consumers, can get our hands on to tell which sensor is dropping out to soon.

Can more than one sensor go? Yes it is possible that they can die close in time to each other.

If spinning the wheel does not create a reading then I would recommend make sure you are testing it properly first. This rules out human error. Next make sure your meter is set properly to read its signal. These signals will be pulses so some meters will not be sensitive enough depending on how old it is. If your test procedure is correct and the meter is working properly for the test then you do not get a signal then the likely hood of having a bad sensor is high.
 

TallCanadian

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The ABS pump is activating because a, possibly more, wheel speed sensor/s are reading an incorrect speed compared to the other wheels. If one sensor is a little weak it can cause this issue you are experiencing. Ford dealerships have more sophisticated diagnostic programs than we, common consumers, can get our hands on to tell which sensor is dropping out to soon.

Can more than one sensor go? Yes it is possible that they can die close in time to each other.

If spinning the wheel does not create a reading then I would recommend make sure you are testing it properly first. This rules out human error. Next make sure your meter is set properly to read its signal. These signals will be pulses so some meters will not be sensitive enough depending on how old it is. If your test procedure is correct and the meter is working properly for the test then you do not get a signal then the likely hood of having a bad sensor is high.
Thank you for your replay. It’s a puzzling situation. Lol. I actually used two different meters. Different makes. I checked for ohms and ac voltage, both results were the same. Zero. Both sensors. I’ve got everything else replaced, so I may as well go ahead and order both sensors in. I’m in a bit of denial because these issue weren’t there before I replaced the pads. Maybe I did something.. I don’t know.
 

Bgunner

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This may have been a typo but the sensor will produce DC voltage and not AC voltage. I just don't want you to be using the wrong setting that is why I am mentioning this.
\

EDIT: the sensor will only putout voltage in the mili-volt range. The sensor is just a magnet and as the counter ring spike passes through the magnetic field it creates a very small voltage. The ABS computer reads these small bursts of voltage and extrapolates how fast the tire is spinning. If one sensor is sending slower pulses than the other sensors the ABS system activates.
 
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TallCanadian

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This may have been a typo but the sensor will produce DC voltage and not AC voltage. I just don't want you to be using the wrong setting that is why I am mentioning this.
\

EDIT: the sensor will only putout voltage in the mili-volt range. The sensor is just a magnet and as the counter ring spike passes through the magnetic field it creates a very small voltage. The ABS computer reads these small bursts of voltage and extrapolates how fast the tire is spinning. If one sensor is sending slower pulses than the other sensors the ABS system activates.
Thanks for the info. I ordered in both sensors today. No more guessing. Lol. I hope this does the trick. A simple brake job has turned into new rotors , calipers and now sensors.
 

Bgunner

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I'm hoping that it is not a rear sensor that is acting up. In a shop we check all 4, 3 or the 1 sensor to be sure which one is causing the issue. A rear sensor can cause this issue also. Lets keep the fingers crossed that it is the fronts that went. I hate so see money just thrown at parts not knowing exactly what is wrong. On the upside of this is as long as the sensors are good from the factory you shouldn't have an issue anytime soon with them.
 

TallCanadian

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I'm hoping that it is not a rear sensor that is acting up. In a shop we check all 4, 3 or the 1 sensor to be sure which one is causing the issue. A rear sensor can cause this issue also. Lets keep the fingers crossed that it is the fronts that went. I hate so see money just thrown at parts not knowing exactly what is wrong. On the upside of this is as long as the sensors are good from the factory you shouldn't have an issue anytime soon with them.
I can only assume it’s the front. However I didn’t have any issue until I got messing with the brakes. I did order them in. Now I’m thinking, could it be my new rotors not correct. Although the part numbers match. I am going to throw an old one back on it again to see if I get a reading on my meter. It’s worth a try before I pull the new sensors out of the box.
 

TallCanadian

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So one wheel sensor came in. The other is on back order. I installed it, same condition. I await the other sensor with little hope.
 

TallCanadian

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Well, the verdict is in. After weeks of head scratching, ordering parts, loss of sleep, I replaced the last front wheel sensor. All new pads, calipers, rotors, and now abs sensors, nothing has changed. As a matter of fact, things are getting worse. I got the traction sensor kicking in, I can’t even get enough power to go up the street. Just grinding from the traction system. Even in neutral, I gave a shot of gas and still grinding. And to boot, abs system kicks in when I brake. What gives?
 

adsm08

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Have you, by any chance, in your flurry of just throwing parts at this truck, bothered to check the fault codes or do any other real diagnostic steps?
 

TallCanadian

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No sir I have not. I have no code reader and couldn’t drive it to a garage. However I have realized to pull the fuses (2) to disable the system. My abs, brake light and traction control lights are on but at least I can drive it. I will eventually get to a garage but I’m too pissed off right now to bother. Lol. At least everything the front is new.
 

adsm08

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No sir I have not.
So you did nothing worthwhile and wasted more money than you would have spent on a code reader that could have read the ABS codes. Got it.
 

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