Questions and Answers
Ford E350 ABS Problem
Q. I have a Ford E350, 1995, 460 engine with overdrive. I have a problem with the Antilock Brake System or at least I think I have a problem. The ABS light will go off after staring the engine. From time to time while driving the light will come on.
Stopping and turning off and restarting the engine - the light will go off. On a recent trip I drove 500 miles before the light came on. The next day I resumed my trip. The light stayed off for about another 500 miles. It came on again and remained on until I cut off the engine.
Do you have any clue as to what it causing this problem? When the light comes on I assume that the system is not working. Or could it is still be operational? How do I know? The vehicle is a motorhome and the only thing I do a lot while driving is to cut in and out of overdrive to down shift. Other than that the brake system seems to work okay.
Rich
A. When the ABS light comes on, that indicates the ABS control unit has detected a fault in the ABS system. When a fault is detected, the system, basically, shuts off and you have standard power brakes.
Retrieving Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC):
NOTE: Verify the ignition switch is in the RUN position (engine does not need to be running). Next, locate the black RABS II diagnostic connector. The diagnostic connector is located in the left rear of the engine compartment, on a bracket. It has two mating halves (one of which has a black/orange wire connected to it). Disconnect the two halves.
Attach one end of a jumper wire to the black with orange stripe wire side of the diagnostic connector. Momentarily ground the opposite end of the jumper wire by connecting it to a good chassis ground for 1-2 seconds. Grounding this wire should start the REAR ABS lamp flashing.
CAUTION: Care must be taken to connect only the black/orange stripe wire to ground. Connecting the mating connector wire to ground will result in a blown fuse.
The code consists of a number of short flashes and ends with a long flash. Count the short flashes and include the following long flash in the count to obtain the code number. For example, three short flashes followed by one long flash indicates diagnostic trouble Code 4. The code will continue to repeat itself until the key is turned off. It is recommended that the code be verified by reading it several times. A diagnostic trouble code of 16 will be obtained when the antilock electronic control unit detects normal system operation.
Once we have the code number, we can figure out what is causing the problem
Additional Information provided courtesy of ALLDATA
