Hey, I've had issues with my ABS pulsing while I'm at a stop sign/light, completely stopped. It will kick in when I'm slowing to a stop on dry pavement and is getting really annoying. I finally found, what I believe is the rear VSS, and checked the plug, but it was clean (other than a little dust). Is there any other VSS on the front end? It all started around October of last year when I got stuck in a little mud. The ABS light comes on usually after 20 or 30 kms, and once it does everything acts as normal. I've even gone so far as to unplug that rear VSS to ensure the ABS stays off. I'd like to fix it, though, so I have it for the quickly approaching winter months.

Ideas? I've tried searching 2005 ABS and 2005 VSS, but neither term has brought up what I'm looking for.

Thanks,

 

i had this problem with my 01 ranger. not sure how similar it is but theres a sensor on the steering knuckle that senses the rotor spinning. i had a bunch of built up grease and dirt in the ribbed inner section of the rotor that the abs sensor reads. i cleaned it out and all was good. so get up under the truck with either a screw driver or something and chisel out the mud..thats probably causing the issues.

 

To my knowledge, the '04+ do not have an "external" variable speed sensor. I believe the VSS function is built into the PCM which is why plug in programmers like my EDGE are used to adjust the speedo after gear and tire size changes. In my '95 Tahoe, I had to purchase an external VSS and plug it inline to the PCM when I went from 29" tires to 33" tires. The new VSS was specific to a 33" tire so the speedo was accurate and the ABS system functioned properly.

I am by no means an expert regarding the VSS, but in any event I suggest taking it to a authorized Ford mechanic to fix your ABS issues.

Good luck.

 

yea what stovetop is talking about is the trans vss gear..99 and up f150s use a pcm controlled one. however, your abs sensors are acting up...not your vss signal from the trans.

 

Ahhh, that would be where I'm going wrong. So there's an ABS sensor, not a VSS. The ABS sensors work "between" the inner and outer plate on the rotor? Is it just the front tires or on all four?

 

on our trucks its all four. im not entirely sure how its all set up on 04 and up as i havent ever had to look at mine. but on my 01 ranger i had the exact same problem you have and it was gunk build up on the abs tone ring on the rotor. the sensor is attached to the spindle and reads the tone ring as it spins on the back side of the rotor.

best bet is to hose it off under there and see if thatll clean out the mud..if not then youll have to take it apart to clean

 

That's good to know. I'll give it a shot and let you know if it worked.

Thanks!

 

hope that works!!

 

If you have just rear abs their will only be a sensor on the rear. If you have 4 wheel abs their will be a sensor on the rear and a sensor on each front wheel. The sensor in the rear reads a ring inside rear and the front have a ring on the hub or the rotor to read off of.