03 Escape ABS light

etherealwi · 10-04-2009, 03:01 AM

Last night I replaced the pads/rotors on my 03 Escape 4x4 because the rotors were under spec and the pads needed to be done. As far as I know I did everything right, followed the chilton instructions just because it was the first time I did brakes on it (not that it's much diff than any other car I've owned). So after I was done I took it out for a test run and the front left abs kept kicking in on dry pavement, not a quick stop. After a few mins the ABS light came on and the ABS stopped kicking in (must've bypassed it) but it stops fine..
I've looked at everything as far as I can tell and nothing appears to be wrong, anything I may be missing? The only thing w/ similar symptoms was a broken tone ring but they all said their 4x4 light flashed also and mine doesn't, but I'll check that tomorrow anyways.
The only things I did differently than most might are that I had to take a torch to the outside of the old rotors to get them off (rust) and kinda pounded on them pretty good with a hammer and a mallet. Also I pumped the brakes a few times before starting the car which I always have done and has never caused a problem.
I did check the wires to the speed sensor to be sure I didn't torch them by accident and they look fine (probably the first thing someone would think), and I cleaned the speed sensor off after the light came on because some rust stuck to it.
Sorry for the really long post and thanks in advance for any help.

theoldwizard · 10-04-2009, 03:57 AM

It is pretty much impossible to tell without a code reader. Most of the OBD-II reader will NOT pull codes for anything other than the PCM (although there are a few on the market now that will pull pretty much all codes)

New sensors are at least $40, so maybe you can get a brake shop to hook up their scanner for a "reasonable" price.

etherealwi · 10-04-2009, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the reply wizard, turns out when I was trying to get the rotor off I must've knocked the tone ring off the end of the driveshaft. Put some silicone behind it and pried it back into place so hopefully that does the trick, giving the silicone til morning to set so I'll have to see.

fmc · 10-26-2009, 04:56 PM

So how did that work out? I have the same problem with my 02 escape. My tone ring is broken too but I was told that I have to replace the hole shaft. I know that the ring is what the abs is detecting but dose it also work for the traction control? I have the option to switch from 4x4 auto to 4x4 on. So that would mean that my escape is all wheel drive when it slips, does that effect it that way as well??? Could I just take out the fuse for the abs and still have everything working or is it just going to cause more of a problem??? Please let me know what I am dealing with!!! Thanks!

theoldwizard · 10-26-2009, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc

I have the same problem with my 02 escape. My tone ring is broken too but I was told that I have to replace the hole shaft.

I don't recall exactly where (somewhere on this board likely) I recall hearing that the tone ring is now sold separately.

Quote:

I know that the ring is what the abs is detecting but dose it also work for the traction control?

Paulie is correct. Traction control works by partially applying the brake to the spinning wheel in order to transfer some torque to the other wheel. Got to have fully operational speed sensor for this to happen.

Quote:

I have the option to switch from 4x4 auto to 4x4 on. So that would mean that my escape is all wheel drive when it slips, does that effect it that way as well???

Auto mode probably does not work.

Quote:

Could I just take out the fuse for the abs and still have everything working or is it just going to cause more of a problem???

No ABS means no traction control and likely no 4x4.

paulie74 · 10-26-2009, 05:13 PM

Traction control and ABS use the wheel speed sensors for input. Traction control will not work if the ABS light is on.
ABS is a brake system ADD ON. The base hydraulic brake system will still work with the ABS light on.
The auto 4X4 may not work, I am guessing it uses wheel speed input to determine if the wheel are slipping or not. But I am not familiar with the ford auto 4X4......
I don't recommend taking out the fuse, the ABS light and maybe the red brake light will be on. The red brake light tells you if there is a problem in the hydraulic brake system...not a warning light you want not working properly.