Full Moon?

M

mlschultz

Registered
lol, I was on my way to drop the Mark off with Aric today, since Wendy decided to host a garage sale with her friend, in the Mark's space, for the next couple days. Since the Mark was all polished up, and ready to go to SSHS7, all Aric was going to do is fix a very minor oil drip, and listen to a Vortech pulley that sounds like it is on it's way out.

Aric and Ryan were gracious enough to keep the Mark at the shop, and out of harms way, while Wendy's garage sale frenzy customers were in the neighborhood :)

While on my way to the shop, I hear a single ding, then the ABS light goes on, Check Traction Control appears on the message center, and my speedometer jumps, then goes down to about 20mph, and will not go any higher in speed on the dial, yet the car accelerates fine. I tried to turn off the traction control, but it would not turn off, and the green light would not turn on that says the TC was off. The Mark just whacked-out just like that.

I did a search, and found that the ECU, VSS, OSS, ABS systems are all somehow involved. Aric is going to dig into it and fix it, but I just wanted to know if any gen2 owners out there that had this problem, what did you do to fix it? Thanks.
 
"Full Moon in your eye, gonna get that shot gun" Soprano's theme song.

Jeepers Mike that just ain't fair I hope it's an easy one to sort out.
 
When my front ABS sensor failed it cause my ABS pump to go crazy and I could almost not brake... also very similar symptoms like the ABS/Traction control light and I wasn't able to turn it off.

I would suggest pulling the ABS fuse to see if that will help the problem.

The ABS system has its own system and its own codes. You need a nice Snap-On scanner to check them out... a regular OBDII scanner you buy at the stores won't work.

BTW if you have a 98 you will find these sensors IMPOSSIBLE to acquire... I went through great lengths to finally get one...
Dealers dont' stock em... junkyards have no clue and it is a 98 ONLY part...

I finally got 2 from Jamie... I still have 1 left...
 
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Thanks, Charlie. Me too.

Max, Thanks for the info. Are you willing to part ways with that spare sensor if it is needed? If you are, I can paypal you. I would need it overnight shipped though, because the shootout is next Friday. Let me know.

Aric is a Ford Master Tech, and has all the Ford diagnostic stuff at his shop. If he don't have it, I am sure he has access to it. I talked to Ryan today, and he said not to worry. But... that just makes me worry more when I hear about parts not available, and the shootout is a week away.
 
Aric started working on the Mark yesterday. I do not know what website database he was in, but he pulled the entire service history of the Mark to see if this problem happened before. It was funny to see that the original owner of the Mark is a lady, and was purchased at Mel Farr LM in metro Detroit.

The Mark had a lot of warranty service repairs to the radio/CD player, brake rotors, HID's, tilt/tele cable - all the usual stuff, except for the blend door. I replaced that when I purchased the Mark.

Anyway... He pulled the codes, and had to write them down, because there were so many of them. He is now researching, and digging through the the service manuals before he starts the diagnostic testing. My fingers are crossed he will have the mystery solved and fixed by this Thursday :)
 
Mike sorry I somehow managed to miss this thread. I was looking for anything but "Full Moon" in the title.

I would love to send you the sensor but I also received it somewhat damaged... The sensor itself is fine but the connector wiring seems melted a bit... in 1 spot....

Knowing how you are about your mark I figured i'd let you know.

Keep me posted on what the codes will be and then we can talk about the sensor if you still want it...
 
Aric said I need a ECU. He is going to turn off the ABS and traction control, so I can race it this weekend. I have GPS in the Mark, so I can use that for the speedo.

Since Ford no longer stocks the part, I will need to get a used one from Jamie. Here is what it looks like.


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Oh wow.. first time I have heard of that part failing. You should be able to get one cheap since they don't fail very often.
 
max, cheap??? they are not available and 97's wont work, even though they look the same, 98's are different, and so are 98 speed sensors in the front, 93-97 all have the same speed sensors, 98 all alone! you are in luck mike, i got a 98 abs unit complete.
 
Sweet Jamie! :) I sent you a pm. Let me know exactly what you have, and the price, s/h, paypal stuff, and whatever else I need lol. Thanks! :)
 
That is funny... that part looks a lot like the one that failed on my Vette... the dealer has the list price somewhere in the wazzoo... I think it was $650 or so... I had it fixed for $150. Thankfully these units rarely go bad on the Mark.

Yes Jamie believe me I know all about those ABS sensors since I had to deal with that on my Mark VIII.
 
the brain alone for this 98 unit, lists for like 475 bucks, thats without the plumbing and brake proportion block!!!
 
Aric had started to take apart the front end to install the hubs and brakes, but when it was discovered the rims had the wrong bolt pattern, he put the front back together.

Well, guess what? When he finished and moved the Mark, the ABS ECU started working properly again like nothing ever happened.

Told you guys it had to be a full moon thing... :)

I am still going to replace the ECU, but for the time being, all is well with the Mark again. :) The oil drip is gone too!

The Mark is home now, waiting for some Zaino detail spray before the trip to SSHS7.

Time for some racing... :)
 
Damn Mike, I was hoping the Octastars would be available now. I need OEM wheels bad ;)

Oh, and who needs ABS, let alone traction control ;)
 
lol Charlie :) It sure is. Been planning this weekend for the last year and a half. Almost had it all done... :)

lol That is what Aric said about the ABS and TC too, Jeremi. I gave my 6 O-Stars, RE750's, and DR's to Big Scott. He is going to put them on his Mark - Linky.

That means he should have a extra set of silver 10 spokes he might be willing to let go... I can ask him if you like.
 
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