• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

Had a strange problem - ABS issues?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Dark_Horse
  • Start date Start date Apr 2, 2010

Dark_Horse

Member
Dec 29, 2006
83
0
6
Springfield, MO
Apr 2, 2010
#1
  • Apr 2, 2010
  • #1
I had an issue with the car tonight and I'm wondering if anyone else has run into this. During a left turn and going WOT to merge with traffic, the traction control light came on (did not have T/C disabled) then went off after a second, ABS light comes on and the gauges go haywire. Seemed like they all froze at weird places for a moment (the gauges did not do full sweep and reset like when you disconnect the bettery). The whole gauge cluster then reset itself back to zero, lights cleared, and then went back to taking their normal readings. WTF right?

Could this be an ABS unit issue? I know it had something to do with losing traction at that particular moment...maybe even a sensor issue? I flipped through the chiltons manual just to see if I could troubleshoot but couldn't come up with any solid answers. I even tried to replicate the same even but failed to do so. Any ideas fellas?
 

nyuk98gt

15 Year Member
Oct 10, 2000
1,427
6
79
Chesterfield, MO
Apr 2, 2010
#2
  • Apr 2, 2010
  • #2
Dark_Horse:

Some tunes are set up to disable the alternator at WOT (I don't know why or which vehicles). I would not have concluded an ABS problem but, rather, an electrical issue (alternator, battery, ground,...). I will check my trusty SCT Advantage (ProRacer) file tonight to see what the switches are for the alternator.

Chris
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Apr 2, 2010
#3
  • Apr 2, 2010
  • #3
Besides the speedometer change, I would put everything back to stock as far as your tune is concern, at least for a while to see if this happens again, just to rule out a faulty tune. For some IMHO, I think the tunes are confusing our ECU's. And again, unless you have changed your engine dramtically, you might need a new tune anyway. Just my opinion.
 

Dark_Horse

Member
Dec 29, 2006
83
0
6
Springfield, MO
Apr 3, 2010
#4
  • Apr 3, 2010
  • #4
trombonedemon said:
Besides the speedometer change, I would put everything back to stock as far as your tune is concern, at least for a while to see if this happens again, just to rule out a faulty tune. For some IMHO, I think the tunes are confusing our ECU's. And again, unless you have changed your engine dramtically, you might need a new tune anyway. Just my opinion.
Click to expand...

Yeah nothing has really been done to the motor except the tune. Also, I was running my SCT Xcal 91 tune on the car at that time. I have three tunes that I use: [1] being my 87 fuel economy (this is what I normally run), [2] 91 premium tune, and [3] my 93 track tuned by american muscle.

About a month ago I was experiencing some alternator noise through the radio and I decided to go ahead and replace it. The sound changed pitch as I revved the motor leading me to believe the alternator was bad. It didn't fix the problem but I figured it was good to have a fresh alt anyways. Wondering if the culprit could be a bad ground somewhere?
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Apr 4, 2010
#5
  • Apr 4, 2010
  • #5
Hows your battery? You can go ahead and check around your speed sensors to see if anything is blocking the magnet for a false reading. You can also check your grounds on both sides of the engine. Do a search on current ripple hear and follow the website, if anything its good pracice to check for ripple.
 

GDawg

Founding Member
Mar 22, 2002
1,469
19
68
Nevada
Apr 6, 2010
#6
  • Apr 6, 2010
  • #6
trombonedemon said:
Hows your battery? You can go ahead and check around your speed sensors to see if anything is blocking the magnet for a false reading. You can also check your grounds on both sides of the engine. Do a search on current ripple hear and follow the website, if anything its good pracice to check for ripple.
Click to expand...

Did someone say, "AC Ripple"? Amazing how many problems that causes our cars and always seems like something else. AC Ripple can make your computer act up.
 

Dark_Horse

Member
Dec 29, 2006
83
0
6
Springfield, MO
Apr 6, 2010
#7
  • Apr 6, 2010
  • #7
trombonedemon said:
Hows your battery? You can go ahead and check around your speed sensors to see if anything is blocking the magnet for a false reading. You can also check your grounds on both sides of the engine. Do a search on current ripple hear and follow the website, if anything its good pracice to check for ripple.
Click to expand...

The battery is less than a year old, the car still starts up fine on the first crank every time. I'm guessing it's one of the grounds that has come loose or something. I am going to check them tonite. I'm going to rule out AC ripple since both the battery and alternator are fairly new.
 

trombonedemon

Well-Known Member
Jun 25, 2009
1,962
39
59
U.S.A, U.S.A., U.S.A.!
Apr 6, 2010
#8
  • Apr 6, 2010
  • #8
Yea, a loose connection can trick your car into thinking your battery might be going dead and do that full sweep w/the gauges.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

A
Rough idle - cylinder 1 and 6 misfire HELP
  • austindavies935
  • Jul 24, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
12
Views
634
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Jul 24, 2025
gkomo
A
Resolved Electrical Help Please
  • Alabama
  • Jan 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
2
Views
241
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Jan 22, 2026
AeroCoupe
D
Engine Coolant and Radio Issues
  • Don7Up
  • Sep 14, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
17
Views
563
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech Oct 4, 2025
Don7Up
D
P
Electrical 1988 GT Wrong Cluster- causing electrical issues?
  • pindude80
  • May 6, 2025
  • Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech
Replies
3
Views
282
Fox 5.0 Mustang Tech May 6, 2025
pindude80
P
A
2020 Ford Mustang GT P0036, P0138, P0141 02 sensor help
  • AmkoA
  • Jul 29, 2025
  • 2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk
Replies
1
Views
288
2015 - 2023 (S550) Mustang -General/Talk Aug 5, 2025
skkrtis
S
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?