Home | Contact Us | FAQ | Search & Site Map | Link to Us
Sign In | Join | Other 45 Sites in Network
HomeAnnouncements
Discussion Groups
By Brand
BMWChevroletDodgeFordGMHondaLexusMercedes-BenzNissanPeugeotToyotaVolkswagenOther Brands
By Topic
4x4 CarsRVsDrivingMaintenance & RepairCar AudioCollectible Cars
Country Specific
Australian ForumsUK Forums
ArticlesAuto InsuranceBuyingCars & TechnologyMaintenanceMiscellaneousSafety
DMV Resources
Related Topics
MotorcyclesBoatsMore Topics ...

Car Forum / Ford / Ford Trucks / June 2005

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

ABS light on 1990 Club Wagon E150

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
CJB - 17 May 2005 00:51 GMT
As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150 w/
towing package and E4OD.  I replaced both the VSS at the transmission, and
the VSS on the differential, but no change.  The light goes off only briefly
upon startup, and then comes right back on and stays on all the time, like
its a hard fault of some kind.

Is there a way to check ABS codes on this model?  I have an Actron EEC-IV
code scanner, but the book doesn't mention ABS at all.

Does anyone have an idea about what would set this code?  Frankly I'm not
even sure what the RABS system on this van includes.
David M - 17 May 2005 10:22 GMT
> As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150 w/
> towing package and E4OD.  I replaced both the VSS at the transmission, and
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Does anyone have an idea about what would set this code?  Frankly I'm not
> even sure what the RABS system on this van includes.

There is a procedure to get the codes out, it involves grounding a wire
on the ABS module.  However, I can't remember which one.  Someone
will here will have that.  I would check your brake fluid level also.
But before replacing parts you should see what the ABS module is telling
you by checking the codes.

Signature

David M  (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14  has been up 21 days 18:51

CJB - 18 May 2005 16:54 GMT
>> As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150
>> w/
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
> But before replacing parts you should see what the ABS module is telling
> you by checking the codes.

Anyone who can furnish this information or who has more advice?

Thanks

CJB
David M - 19 May 2005 00:16 GMT
>>> As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150
>>> w/
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
> CJB

Here's what Chilton's says about a 1997-2000 RABS module.
Yours may be different. You'll first have to locate the RABS
control module, but I have no idea where it would be in your
vehicle.

"Locate the black RABS diagnostic connector. One half of the
connector has a black/orange wire.  Disconnect the connector
halves, and attach a jumper to the black/orange wire.
Turn the ignition switch to the RUN position.  Ground the
black/orange wire, and the ABS light should begin to flash.
The code consists of a series of short flashes, followed by a
long flash. Count the total number of flashes, this is the
RABS trouble code.  The codes will be repeated until the
ignition switch is turned off. A code of 16 (15 short flashes
and a long flash) indicates no trouble found."

By the way, have you checked your brake fluid level yet?

Signature

David M  (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14  has been up 23 days 8:40

shinho750nospam@yahoo.com - 20 May 2005 01:24 GMT
On Wed, 18 May 2005 15:54:17 GMT, "CJB"
<colonyparkwagon@excite.nospam> wrotI:agent

>>> As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150
>>> w/
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
>
>CJB

Look under the dash to the left of brake pedal for the rabs connector
(where orange/black wire connect to black wire).   You can access the
orange/balck wire there to ground it and get the code readout.  
CJB - 21 May 2005 00:44 GMT
Thanks to those who have responded.  I've been out of town for a few days
and just got the replies.  I'll check this the first of the week.

CJB

> On Wed, 18 May 2005 15:54:17 GMT, "CJB"
> <colonyparkwagon@excite.nospam> wrotI:agent
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> (where orange/black wire connect to black wire).   You can access the
> orange/balck wire there to ground it and get the code readout.
CJB - 01 Jun 2005 21:29 GMT
Ok, here's a problem.  The orange/black wire that comes out of the RABS box
wasn't connected to anything...

My van has the factory towing package,  but I see no evidence of a brake
controller ever having been installed.  There is a 3 wire harness under the
dash that works with the towing package.  One wire is red/black stripe  and
is the hot to the BOO switch.  One is black w/ green stripe.  I think the
faded label says "Feed From Bat."  The third is Blue w/ Black stripe and has
no label, probably it's come off.

The wires (except the red/black stripe) have been taped off.  So here's what
I did ;-)   Figuring I have nothing to lose, I connected the black/green
stripe on the harness to the black/orange stripe that goes to the RABS box.
Guess what?  The antilock light goes off.  I tried to test it by locking up
the brakes on dry pavement, but I didn't get enough braking action in the
rear to lock them up either way, so there's no way to know if I fixed
anything.

The only repair manual I have is a (useless) Haynes, and the wiring diagrams
they have don't show anything past 1978.  Anyone have an idea what I'm
doing? lol

Is the black/green wire supposed to plug into the black/orange wire on the
RABS box?
What is the blue/black wire for, a brake controller perhaps?

Thanks for your help,

CJB

> On Wed, 18 May 2005 15:54:17 GMT, "CJB"
> <colonyparkwagon@excite.nospam> wrotI:agent
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
> (where orange/black wire connect to black wire).   You can access the
> orange/balck wire there to ground it and get the code readout.
CJB - 09 Jun 2005 18:15 GMT
Finally was able to get this fixed.  Thanks for all who helped.

CJB

> As the subject line says, the ABS light is set on my 1990 Club Wagon E150
> w/ towing package and E4OD.  I replaced both the VSS at the transmission,
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Does anyone have an idea about what would set this code?  Frankly I'm not
> even sure what the RABS system on this van includes.
David M - 10 Jun 2005 01:19 GMT
> Finally was able to get this fixed.  Thanks for all who helped.
>
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>> Does anyone have an idea about what would set this code?  Frankly I'm not
>> even sure what the RABS system on this van includes.

What was wrong with it?

Signature

David M  (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14  has been up 16 days 15 min

CJB - 11 Jun 2005 22:25 GMT
lol, you really wanna know?

There's a master cylinder switch that senses the fluid level.  It was
impossible to see the damage because it was hidden inside the connector, but
it turns out that two of the three wires were corroded sufficiently that
they broke off as soon as I tried to remove the plug.  I had to
"manufacture" a new connector because the old one was so corroded, but as
soon as I plugged the wires in,  the light went away.

I really never suspected brake fluid level, because I thought it would set
the BRAKE light, not the ABS light.  Oddly, that's not how it works.

It may also have had another problem, because I had already replaced both
VSS's.  The in-axle VSS was in bad shape, and the tranny VSS had exhibited
an intermittent problem.

Lastly, I was never able to get the ABS computer to send me a code, which
made it even more frustrating.

Again, thanks to all who helped.

CJB

>> Finally was able to get this fixed.  Thanks for all who helped.
>>
[quoted text clipped - 17 lines]
>
> What was wrong with it?
 
Sign In
Join
My Latest Posts
My Monitored Threads
My Blog
My Photo Gallery
My Profile
My Homepage

Start New Thread
Enable EMail Alerts
Rate this Thread



©2008 Advenet LLC   Privacy Policy - Terms of Use
This website includes both content owned or controlled by Advenet as well as content owned or controlled by third parties.