2002 Windstar ABS Light and Rear Brake Squeal

[ssorrell]

Hello,

My 2002 Ford Windstar (~35K miles) intermittently has its dashboard ABS light come on. Also, recently, the rear brakes have begun squealing, although I haven't noticed that the two events coincide. I have had the ABS problem looked at by a shop, but, of course, the problem did not occur when it was there, and nothing could be found in the error codes. The shop's suggestion was to drive it in when the light came on if we were in the area. They said they could replace the ABS sensor, but without proof of the problem, they didn't want to have it turn out to not be the problem after we paid for it.

I was going to take the rear wheels off this weekend to checkout the rear brakes, but does anyone have any ideas, or are there any known issues with what may be going on here?

Thanks in advance!

Scott Sorrell

[RickMN]

I doubt the brake noise and ABS light are related. Did the shop check for error codes with an ABS scanner? You can't get ABS codes with a generic PCM scanner. If the ABS light came on and stayed on, there's a code in the computer. They don't stay on for no good reason. Did the shop clean the ABS sensors? Sometimes they pick up metallic road debris and that interferes with the signal. However, that still should have set a code. Once you know which sensor is acting up, they can perform diagnostic tests on it to confirm that it's the sensor and not a connection problem. As for the noise, 35K is a little soon for worn friction, but it's still a good idea to check things out.

[ssorrell]

Thanks for the info, Rick! I don't know if they used an ABS scanner or not. My gut says no, though, since you said the light being on would produce a code, and they found none.

Are the sensors easy to get to? Would cleaning them be something that could be done at home?

Scott

[raegirl]

Hi! Just thought I'd give you a little something more to chew on...I started out with a similar problem on my 2000 windstar where the ABS light was coming on intermittently and they told me to bring it in when the light was on, but often if I turned the car off and back on it would not be on anymore...anyway! It seems to have lead to other problems where you should check to see if your Master Brake Cylinder is leaking out the bottom/front where it connects to the speed control wiring having to do with cruise control....If it's leaking you may just need to replace the part connected to the bottom of the master brake cylinder with this: (SW-6351 XW7Z-9F924-BA Brake Repair Kit) and so far the fuse has not blown. This part cost about $27.00 through the Ford dealer. Look at the Problem with Windstar fuse # 10 and it will explain a little more...I hope this info is helpful in some way...also, it is suggested after replacing this part to top off the brake fluid in the master cylinder and the light should go off...but I don't know...I waited too long, I think, and now have worse problems. Good luck!!!

[ssorrell]

Thanks! I actually had seen the references to the #10 fuse problem, but can not see any obvious leaks. When the leak occurs, I assume it is easy to tell (?) Plus, the brake fluid level never seems to change, so I don't know.

I looked at the back brakes this weekend and they don't need replacing. I cleaned the brake dust out, though, since everything looked like it had barnacles on it I could see the ABS sensor was caked with it, too, so I held hopes that my problem might be as simple as needing cleaning. It probably won't be that simple, but the light didn't come on during the test drive afterward, so we'll see.