Ford Windstar

[Skywalker 2000]

Can anyone tell me how do I know if the ABS is working on not when you step on the brake? Is there a difference that you can feel?

[BroncoJoe19]

Under normal braking one would not feel a difference. under heavy or hard braking conditions, if one or more of the tires starts to skid, one should feel a braking shuddering from the antilocks.

[Skywalker 2000]

Thanks -- that helps.

It's just that I am deciding whether to get the ABS light fixed or not (the light goes on after a while). If it's not harming the vehicle in any way now I may postpone the fixing to a later date. The mechanic told me that the ABS module needs to be replaced. I am not sure if what he suggested is going to fix the problem -- the last time he told me it's the fuse that's causing the light to go on.

[BryanF]

i've got ABS problems too right now, my ABS light is on and the ABS doesn't work. the brakes still work fine though, so i'm going to put off getting it fixed until winter when the roads start getting slick again.

as long as your brakes still work normally, then you'll be fine. if you start skidding, just do it the old-school way and pump the brake pedal.

[BroncoJoe19]

Sorry... I don't know enough about ABS to comment but if your RED brake light comes on, that is either a sticky emergency brake, or a hydrolic malfunction. You need to take care of hydrolic malfunctions immediately or a disasterous failure may occur.

[Skywalker 2000]

Hi BryanF,

How do you plan to fix your ABS light? Are you sending your windstar to the Ford garage or do you plan to fix it yourself? I would like to know how to fix the light myself if possible. Thanks

[brazil]

I have a 2001 windstar,never had a problem,2 days ago drove it to pick up my son at school parked in front of my house 30 minutes later when i was living to work put it on drive it wouldn't move my trans fuid is in good level and isn't burned could it be a minor problem with transmission any idea ? please help.

[Flyingjackal456]

My ABS light used to come on randomly, until one over a week's time the brakes stopped working all together. (Flooring the brakes only slowed the van) I had to pump the brakes to stop. I ended up changing the Master Cylinder and bleeding 4 big bottles of brake fluid, even having Ford run a (rather expensive) $40 "ABS purge" procedure. Brakes were i tiny bit better, but not yet. The Ford dealer replaced the ABS Hydraulic Unit and the problem was fixed.

The ABS light was gone for a while, but it soon returned randomly. I took it back to the same dealer where they charged me about $250 to replace one ABS speed sensor. This improved the problem, but not enough yet. Then my driver front wheel bearing started to fail, got that done (Aamco stated that the ABS sensor needed replacement on that wheel). Shortly after, the passenger wheel bearing started to fail. (Aamco cracked the boot on my lower ball joint, which I complained and they replaced the boot)

So now the problem was happening even less frequent. Now both driver side sensors are new. But the problem still happens... Searching for a pattern or reason that causes the ABS light, I realized the light only comes on when I stayed at a steady 72MPH (and only that speed, not faster or slower than 72MPH). This was now the cause of the problem and with that finding, I determined it was a speed sensor (as I already took care of the ABS Hydraulic Unit and two sensors).

I bought 2 ABS sensors (about $40-50 each) and replaced the remaining 2 sensors. I went on the highway, cruised at 72 MPH, and the ABS light hasn't returned since.


Most likely the problem is your ABS sensors, which you can test easily by checking the impedence between the two leads. Get a multi-meter, and check to see if the ABS sensor reads arount 1900-2600 ohms.... if it reads 0, it's bad or you aren't making good contact with the leads.

[vindctar]

Way to go...you are the man!!!

Originally Posted by Flyingjackal456

My ABS light used to come on randomly, until one over a week's time the brakes stopped working all together. (Flooring the brakes only slowed the van) I had to pump the brakes to stop. I ended up changing the Master Cylinder and bleeding 4 big bottles of brake fluid, even having Ford run a (rather expensive) $40 "ABS purge" procedure. Brakes were i tiny bit better, but not yet. The Ford dealer replaced the ABS Hydraulic Unit and the problem was fixed.

The ABS light was gone for a while, but it soon returned randomly. I took it back to the same dealer where they charged me about $250 to replace one ABS speed sensor. This improved the problem, but not enough yet. Then my driver front wheel bearing started to fail, got that done (Aamco stated that the ABS sensor needed replacement on that wheel). Shortly after, the passenger wheel bearing started to fail. (Aamco cracked the boot on my lower ball joint, which I complained and they replaced the boot)

So now the problem was happening even less frequent. Now both driver side sensors are new. But the problem still happens... Searching for a pattern or reason that causes the ABS light, I realized the light only comes on when I stayed at a steady 72MPH (and only that speed, not faster or slower than 72MPH). This was now the cause of the problem and with that finding, I determined it was a speed sensor (as I already took care of the ABS Hydraulic Unit and two sensors).

I bought 2 ABS sensors (about $40-50 each) and replaced the remaining 2 sensors. I went on the highway, cruised at 72 MPH, and the ABS light hasn't returned since.


Most likely the problem is your ABS sensors, which you can test easily by checking the impedence between the two leads. Get a multi-meter, and check to see if the ABS sensor reads arount 1900-2600 ohms.... if it reads 0, it's bad or you aren't making good contact with the leads.

[BryanF]

Originally Posted by Skywalker 2000

Hi BryanF,

How do you plan to fix your ABS light? Are you sending your windstar to the Ford garage or do you plan to fix it yourself? I would like to know how to fix the light myself if possible. Thanks

i plan to put it off until winter, and worry about it then