Fixing Ford Ranger ABS Light On: Common Causes And Reset Solutions.
If you own a Ford Ranger, then you may experience an issue with the light coming on. Knowing what causes this issue and how to reset it will help you resolve and keep your Ford Ranger ABS in good working condition at all times.
Ford Ranger ABS light coming on can be caused by issues like:
- Low tire pressure
- Damaged ABS pump/control module
- Blown fuse/faulty relay
- Damaged speed wheel sensor
- Low brake fluid
The following article discusses full details about various culprits that may be making your Ford Ranger ABS light come on and how you can reset the light.
Ford Ranger ABS Light Coming On: Common Causes
Below are the common causes for your Ford Ranger ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) light to come on:
Damaged ABS Pump or control module
The task of the ABS pump in your Ford Ranger is to control the brake fluid pressure according to the various driving conditions.
This control module collects information from the wheel sensors, adjusting the operations of the Ranger’s ABS to pump accordingly.
A damaged ABS pump cripples the whole operation of the antilock brake system. The light illuminates the dashboard, alerting the drivers that there is a defect existing.
The same applies to a faulty control module, which will be unable to control the pump operations. This triggers the light to come on as well.
Low pressure on the tire
A Ford Ranger having low pressure in one or more of its tires can also cause the ABS warning light to come on.
When the wheel is not inflated, the diameter of the wheel decreases, thus causing the tire to rotate more quickly than the other tires.
Bad wheel speed sensor
Your Ford Ranger ABS has a sensor at each wheel that monitors the actual speed of the wheel and gives the information back to the ABS control unit.
A damaged wheel speed sensor is a major cause of ABS light coming on in a Ford Ranger as it’s at high risk of damage due to its closeness to the wheels.
If the sensor gives inconsistent data about speed, an ABS light turns on in the cluster instrument. It is impossible to know exactly the damaged ABS sensor in a Ford Ranger by just inspecting it physically.
Low brake fluid level
A very low amount of brake fluid can cause your Ranger ABS light to illuminate.
The main causes of low brake fluid include system leakages, damaged brake lines, worn rotors, and brake pads.
A blown fuse or faulty relay
A blown fuse causes the braking system to stop operating, and after they have stopped, the light illuminates.
How To Fix the Ford Ranger ABS Light On Issues?
Here are the solutions to the issues that illuminate the Ford Ranger ABS light.
Check the ABS pump/control module.
It is good to connect a diagnostic tool and read the codes (the ABS pump code is C1095, and the control module is U0121). You will be able to know where the exact damage is and replace it with a new and clean one that looks similar to the previous one.
Check the amount of pressure on the tire.
For you to have good operations of braking systems, it’s good to keep checking the amount of pressure present on tires. Maintain the correct pressure (between 30 and 38 psi) by regularly keeping your tires inflated.
Inspect the speed wheel sensor.
The best way to examine this sensor is by connecting an OBDII scanner to your Ford Ranger and then scanning the error code (code P0500). This error code enables you to know exactly which sensor is damaged.
If you get an error code suggesting that the wheel speed sensor is faulty, you’ll need to replace it.
Check the level of the brake fluid.
It is important to look at the level of brake fluid to ensure it sits close to the high mark of the reservoir. You should inspect rotors and brake pad conditions.
Also, inspect if there could be any sign of fluid leakage on the wheels and beneath your Ranger and have it fixed before topping up more brake fluid.
Inspect the fuses
You should also check the condition of the fuse for the ABS system. This is usually a 10A fuse located in the passenger compartment box.
If you discover it has blown (i.e., it appears burnt or broken) or if it fails the continuity test, you can replace it with another one according to its rating amp.
How To Reset The Ford Ranger ABS Light?
After fixing all underlying issues, you now need to reset the ABS light if it doesn’t turn off automatically. Follow the following methods to turn off/reset the ABS light on your Ford Ranger.
Method 1: OBDII scanner method
Clearing the codes with an OBDII scanner is the best method for resetting the ABS light in your Ford Ranger. Here are the steps to follow:
- Step 1: Plug the OBD2 scanner into the OBD2 port under your vehicle dash
- Step 2: Turn on your scanner and access the ABS system.
- Step 3: Check the codes produced for the ABS system and note them down. If the issue represented by the codes has been resolved, clear the error codes via the scanner menu.
- Step 4: Now turn off your Ranger ignition and then back on to see if the ABS light has been cleared.
- Step 5: If the light doesn’t go off, it means the underlying issue hasn’t been cleared. Clearing the error codes without fixing the underlying issue may cause the light to come on again.
Method 2: Disconnecting the battery
You may also consider this trick of disconnecting the battery for minutes in case you don’t get a diagnostic tool.
This is how you reset the ABS light by disconnecting your car battery:
- Step 1. First, remove the cable from the negative terminal, followed by the positive terminal on your battery.
- Step 2. After you have disconnected the cables, press the horn controller button several times and turn on the lights. This helps get rid of all the electricity remaining out of the system.
- Step 3. After about ten to fifteen minutes, reconnect your battery. Make sure you start with the positive terminal followed by the negative terminal. The ABS light should go off now.
Seek help from a professional
If none of the above solutions helps you reset the issue, then you may want to take your Ford Range to a certified mechanic for more help.
These professionals have advanced tools and also have the knowledge to help them thoroughly diagnose and fix the issue with your ABS system.
Here is a helpful video explaining how to reset the ABS light:
Is It Safe To Drive a Ford Ranger While ABS Light is on?
This depends on the issue, actually. If the ABS sensor(s), module, relay, or fuse gets damaged, there is no issue driving with the ABS light on. Your ABS braking will be just refrained from working, and you can use your Ranger’s standard brake.
But, if there are issues with the low tire pressure or low brake fluid, you shouldn’t drive with the ABS light on. Please drive after knowing the certain reason behind the issue. ,
Also, it may not be safe, especially when driving in snowy or rainy weather.
So, I recommend fixing the ABS issue first and then driving to avoid any kinds of unwanted incidents.
FAQs
Here are quick answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about your Ford Ranger ABS light illuminating:
The ABS sensor may be located in the power distribution box or fuse box. The exact position can vary depending on your Ford Ranger model and year. For more info about the ABS fuse location, consult the fuse box diagrams in your user manual.
Yes, dirty or contaminated brake fluid can affect your Ford Ranger ABS system. The ABS components are highly sensitive to moisture as well as contaminated fluid, and they may become damaged. This can cause the system to malfunction and potentially trigger the ABS warning light.
Conclusion
The problem of the ABS light coming on in your Ford Ranger is a common issue. The main causes of the issue include a damaged wheel speed sensor, low pressure of the tire, damaged ABS pump or control module, low amount of brake fluid, and even a blown ABS fuse or faulty relay.
When your Ford Ranger experiences this problem, we advise you to diagnose and fix the issue that triggered the light to come on. Then, the light will reset automatically. If it doesn’t clear on its own, you may disconnect the battery or even use the OBDII scanner method to clear it.
If you can’t fix the issue on your own, contact a certified mechanic to diagnose and fix the ABS system for you.
