Who besides Ford Dealer can read ABS codes?

spederman · Jun 11, 2008

My ABS light has been intermittently on and off. It comes on after driving a few miles, and only about every other time i drive it. This problem is new after a wreck and never did it before. I cleaned off all the ABS sensors and found one that was cracked, so i replaced it. But it still didnt take care of the intermittent light.

I cant really take it in on an appt since the light isnt always on. Plus i really dont want to pay Ford $100 just to read a code in 10 seconds. Anybody know what other places will have a Ford ABS code reader? The handheld tuners dont read ABS codes which sucks, and i dont think autozone or Oreillys have them either.

the98stang · Jun 12, 2008

Ford is pretty much the only place that has that code reader, so you're screwed. You can always find an ABS module on ebay and try replacing it. Or pay $100 to see which sensor is causing the problem (or the ABS unit itself).

OR you can live with the damn light and risk not having ABS.

bdcardinal · Jun 13, 2008

any shop with a scan tool that has ABS functionality can read the codes. however i would only trust a IDS for that.

mixedbreed02gt · Jun 13, 2008

any shop that has a ford master certified mechanic, with the big long red/black scan tools and the lcd display can read the ABS computers.

spederman · Jun 13, 2008

Cool, thanks guys. I'll check if any of the local performance shops have the code reader.

rabidscoobie · Jun 14, 2008

Well here is my experience from the ABS light after a wreak on my old 01 gt...pics in my garage.The abs light would come on after I got it back from the repair shop,but not all the time,so I took it back to them and to fix the problem they just unhooked the battery for a few minutes and it never did it again,that was in 2005 and I got rid of it this last April.They told me that it just needed a reset.Cant hurt to try.

Will Smith · Jun 14, 2008

well first of all ford dealers nor anyone else just read a code and fix a problem... there are several pinpoint tests for each code that must be checked b4 a technician can start replacing parts... just like u dont like throwing parts at something neither do we... yes i work at a ford dealer. and yes i would only trust an IDS (fords computer/scan tool) to do abs problems. my .02.

Mustang5L5 · Jun 14, 2008

True, but it would be nice to be able to read codes so a home mechanic can at least try to fix some simple things.

When i had my Mark 8, you could gound the ABS test plug and the ABS light would flash the codes to you. I could then look it up, discover the right rear sensor was gone. I bought one for $40, replaced a cracked sensor and problem was easily solved.

The same goes for older car, you could ground the test plug and the CEL would flash the code to you.

NOW you need a sophisticated scanner to read codes and it's nearly impossible to read ABS codes.

spederman · Jun 14, 2008

rabidscoobie said:
Well here is my experience from the ABS light after a wreak on my old 01 gt...pics in my garage.The abs light would come on after I got it back from the repair shop,but not all the time,so I took it back to them and to fix the problem they just unhooked the battery for a few minutes and it never did it again,that was in 2005 and I got rid of it this last April.They told me that it just needed a reset.Cant hurt to try.

Cool. Thanks for the tip. I'll try it,def cant hurt.

Btw, where is the abs module located on our cars?

Mustang5L5 · Jun 14, 2008

If it's intermittent it's possible you could have a second faulty sensor.

Unplug each and read the resistance values. They should all pretty much equal the new one you put in.

Will Smith · Jun 14, 2008

well i cant agree with ya on letting ahome mechanic do it only cause that is my job lol. but yeah getting the code is only the start of things... u might show a right rear failure but that doesnt mean that the speed sensor back there is the culprit. there can be multiple other failure i wont even list from wiring to modules... alll u would be doing is throwing a part at it unless u do the pinpoint tests to prove the sensor out...

spederman · Jun 15, 2008

Mustang5L5 said:
If it's intermittent it's possible you could have a second faulty sensor.

Unplug each and read the resistance values. They should all pretty much equal the new one you put in.

Argh, of course mine wasnt as easy as unplugging the battery to reset it.

So how do i read the resistance on the sensors? I have a multimemter, where am i sticking the contacts to get a reading and what reading am i looking for to check as a good sensor? TIA

Who besides Ford Dealer can read ABS codes?

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