Troubleshooting ABS system

[simone0414]

My ABS light is on & I want to find out what's the cause without going to the shop & paying 40 bucks. My first guess would be a wheel bearing assmebly.

How do I go about this??

[NCHornet]

Buy the AE software and quit paying anyone to scan your truck. There is no way for anyone to tell you what is wrong without pulling the codes first. The free scans at the auto parts store will not work because our trucks are not OBDII compliant due to GVWR.

[ttyR2]

If you don't do your own wrenching a lot, you could get a lot of scans done before you'd be up to the price of AE. Just sayin.

[simone0414]

What is the AE software? I thought all vehicles made after 96 was OBDII compliant? I do alot of my own work but don't know a whole lot about electrical.

I don't expect anyone to be able to tell me exactly what is wrong with the info I have provided. I was hoping that I could use my multimeter somehow to see if there is power to the wheelbearings & then go from there & someone could give me direction on how to this.

[NoRalPh]

AE = AutoEnginuity which is a diagnostic tool that runs on an old laptop and, with the Ford "Enhanced" package you'll need, will run @$350. (we're all Big fans)

It would very quickly point you in the right direction for now, and your future, with your truck. OBD-II is a set of standards that much of our trucks systems aren't applicable to (mostly the diesel stuff). Not sure if a generic scanner with the ability to scan, generic, ABS codes will work for us or not.

I've never tried it, but, it might be worth seeing if an Ohm meter "sees" pulsations from a sensor as you spin the wheel (you could compare two if it did, and assume the one that Didn't could be the bad one....) The ABS connectors are a two-pin round plug right behind the "mud flap" area. I donno, I have an AE

Does the speedo work OK? (you know there's another sensor in the rear)

[simone0414]

The speedo is working & yes I knew there was a sensor in the rear. I don't think a regular scanner will work for the ABS but my neighbor has one so I am going to borrow it. As far as the AE software goes I don't have a laptop so by the time I buy everything I need I'm into a few hundred bucks for sure. Probably just gonna pay the shop to scan it.

One other question. Can the ABS sensors be taken out of the wheel bearings?

[NoRalPh]

Actually wouldn't have to be a laptop,,, an old desktop would work fine too. Just might be less convenient. Depends how much you are "into" fixin' your own truck

Yes, the sensor itself is held in with a single bolt at the top of the hub, Easy to replace.

[NCHornet]

Our trucks are not OBDII compliant due to their GVWR. Unless your neighbor has the proper software for these trucks it will not read correctly. Let me also add that the AE will also work on other vehicles. I have used mine more on gassers than on diesels. With dealership hourly rates going through the roof it doesn't take long for the AE to pay for itself.

[simone0414]

Originally Posted by NoRalPh

Actually wouldn't have to be a laptop,,, an old desktop would work fine too. Just might be less convenient. Depends how much you are "into" fixin' your own truck

Yes, the sensor itself is held in with a single bolt at the top of the hub, Easy to replace.

I do most of my work on my vehicles myself. I am cheap as hell & hate paying shop labour prices. I will look into this software further as I'm sure it would be great to have. It is pretty rare though that I have had a problem that a regular scanner wouldn't pick up & had to pay to have it read.

My buddy told me if the sensors can be removed then I could try taking them out & see if I can see a problem. Can't hurt to check I guess.