95 SL2 - ABS activating for no reason

jkeats · 12-05-2005, 06:50 PM

I have a 1995 SL2 sedan with ABS and traction control. For a little while now I've been having a weird recurring problem. When I brake at speeds from 20 mph and above, the brakes are fine, nice and quiet and tight. When it gets to around the 10 mph and shifting down to first gear (it's an automatic) the ABS starts cranking and making that noise that it does. The strange thing is, after a day or so (sometimes longer), it resets itself and doesn't do this...and then a week or so later it will do that again.

Could it just be the ABS sensor is broken? Any ideas or common experiences with this? And is this an expensive repair?

Other than that, this car rocks! 127,000 and running so well! Thanks!

John

my99sl1 · 12-05-2005, 06:56 PM

this should be posted in the technical section

gn85 · 12-05-2005, 07:16 PM

You mention downshifting. I don't thing that would make much of a difference if you do or don't downshift, but I'll ask anyways. Does this happen when you drive the car normal?

Yes, it is very possible you have a wheel sensor going bad. Also make sure the ring for the sensor is clean.

jkeats · 12-05-2005, 07:21 PM

Oh no, I just meant when the automatic transmission changes from second to first gear as I'm braking. That's all. I am driving the car normal.

PurdueGuy · 12-05-2005, 08:33 PM

I vote for the wheel speed sensor. My friend had very simmilar symptoms (though it was on a Crown Vic) and that was the problem.

jkeats · 12-05-2005, 08:35 PM

Was it expensive? I assume for a crown vic it's different. I was thinking $150-200. Sound about right?

Artificialist · 12-06-2005, 12:08 AM

I thought a bad wheel speed sensor would trigger the ABS warning light.

jkeats · 12-06-2005, 12:13 AM

The light will come on every now and then if it goes on too long. But then when I turn off the car and turn it on again it's off.

**Ssicarman** · 12-06-2005, 03:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Artificialist

I thought a bad wheel speed sensor would trigger the ABS warning light.

A sensor that is not reading all of the time will trigger a code/ABS light. If the sensor is dropping out for only a while the ABS system will read it as a locked wheel and run the ABS.

**Ssicarman** · 12-06-2005, 03:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkeats

The light will come on every now and then if it goes on too long. But then when I turn off the car and turn it on again it's off.

Get the codes read and that will likely point you to the proper corner of the car. The ABS codes are not readable with most scan tools so you will likely need to hit Saturn. If it is just a front sensor they are ot real expensive. It gets more expensive if it is a rear sensor or front reluctor ring.