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 / January 2006

Tip: Looking for answers? Try searching our database.

is this an ABS problem, how to fix?  94 Ford Ranger

Thread view: 
Enable EMail Alerts  Start New Thread
Thread rating: 
kevin - 04 Jan 2006 12:54 GMT
I have a 94 Ford Ranger (2WD) and a ouple days ago the ABS light came
on.   Since then the light has not been coming on, but the breaks are
not working properly.   The break pedal feels like there is no
pressure and when I do push it all the way down I can hear the tires
skid intermitindly almsot like the breaks arent grabbing.  It's very
scary driving this way!!

Needless to say I am keeping the truck off the road until I can figure
this out.  I checked the brake fluid, seemed okay, but I added a
little just to be safe with no real effect.  Any clue as to what this
is and how I can fix it?

--Kevin
Clark - 04 Jan 2006 22:53 GMT
Are you loosing brake fluid or does the level stay constant?

Do you hear any noises that might sound like some type of vacuum?

Are you going to fix the problem yourself if you find it, or take it to a
shop?

Clark

>I have a 94 Ford Ranger (2WD) and a ouple days ago the ABS light came
> on.   Since then the light has not been coming on, but the breaks are
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> --Kevin
kevin - 05 Jan 2006 18:11 GMT
>Are you loosing brake fluid or does the level stay constant?

It doesnt seem like I am loosing brake fluid.

>Do you hear any noises that might sound like some type of vacuum?

No

>Are you going to fix the problem yourself if you find it, or take it to a
>shop?

Id like to fix it myself once I discover the problem any idea?
Joe S. - 09 Jan 2006 23:30 GMT
>I have a 94 Ford Ranger (2WD) and a ouple days ago the ABS light came
> on.   Since then the light has not been coming on, but the breaks are
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> --Kevin

Check carefully to see if you are losing brake fluid.  First place to look
is at the ABS pump.  It's a shiny metal block with lots of funny-shaped
steel tubes running in and out of it.  I had a 1993 Nissan Maxima that was
doing the same thing -- I did not see any brake fluid leaks but found a
small puddle on top of the wheel well, underneath the ABS pump.  The pump
was leaking, fluid was collecting on top of the wheel well, and nothing was
dripping onto the ground -- which is where I was looking.

Hope it's not the ABS pump because, on the Nissan at least, it's a dealer
fix and a lot of $$$$ ($800.00 or so as I recall).
kevin - 19 Jan 2006 16:08 GMT
>Check carefully to see if you are losing brake fluid.  First place to look
>is at the ABS pump.  It's a shiny metal block with lots of funny-shaped
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Hope it's not the ABS pump because, on the Nissan at least, it's a dealer
>fix and a lot of $$$$ ($800.00 or so as I recall).

I cant seem to find the ABS pump, however I am losing brake fluid.   I
replaced the fluid and still the truck's brakes are dangerously poor.
There aren't any visible signs of leakage (puddles etc..) so I've come
to the conclusion it must be the master cynlinder.   There are still
some other things I need to check to make sure (including the ABS
pump) before I try to replace the master cynlinder and any advice
anyone might have is definetly appreciated.

One good thing, according to NAPA a rebuilt master cylinder
(w/lifetime warranty) is about $50, so at least money wise I may luck
out.  
Clark - 20 Jan 2006 17:59 GMT
If you know you are loosing brake fluid, you should be able to find out
where.  Put the truck somewhere and keep pressure on the brake pedal, or get
something that will do that for you, and check for leaks.  You might put
cardboard under the truck or some other material that will show up the
leaks.  If you are loosing fluid, and you say you are, the break pressure is
probably being bled off through the leak.

As the previous poster mentioned, the leak might be somewhere hard to see,
or in an area that is already wet so it is hard to see.  I don't remember if
you said you had bled the brakes, old fluid may have moisture and needs to
be replaced. The last time I replaced a master cylinder was when I wasn't
loosing fluid, but I could put the pedal to the floor.  The fluid was
leaking around the seals internally and loosing pressure.

You may also have a combination problem, where you are loosing some fluid,
but another component is failing and aggravating the situation.

Clark

> I cant seem to find the ABS pump, however I am losing brake fluid.   I
> replaced the fluid and still the truck's brakes are dangerously poor.
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> (w/lifetime warranty) is about $50, so at least money wise I may luck
> out.
Clark - 20 Jan 2006 18:09 GMT
I guess I should mention also that with an ABS system, special procedures
are used for bleeding and may also be required to find  a leak if not
moving.

Clark

> If you know you are loosing brake fluid, you should be able to find out
> where.  Put the truck somewhere and keep pressure on the brake pedal, or
[quoted text clipped - 26 lines]
>> (w/lifetime warranty) is about $50, so at least money wise I may luck
>> out.
kevin - 21 Jan 2006 00:13 GMT
>I guess I should mention also that with an ABS system, special procedures
>are used for bleeding and may also be required to find  a leak if not
>moving.
>
>Clark

what kind of special procedures?   I dont see any leakage on the
driveway and there doesnt appear to be anything in the engine compart.
or around the wheels, so at this point I am getting told (and coming
to the conclusion) it is the Master Cylinder.  

I still need soem time to make sure, but I am interested in what
special procedures you are referring too?  

Thanks

Kevin
Clark - 22 Jan 2006 15:00 GMT
I have no idea what is wrong, and I am not a mechanic, so it may very well
be what you think.  According to the book,  you need a scan tool type device
to allow bleeding of the ABS system (HCU), which I believe just turns it on
without the vehicle moving.

I guess you have to make a decision and weigh the cost of possibly repairing
the wrong thing, or taking it to a repair facility.

Clark

>>I guess I should mention also that with an ABS system, special procedures
>>are used for bleeding and may also be required to find  a leak if not
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Kevin
 
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.