Hi all. I recently had a split rear brake hose changed and the fluid renewed. Since then the ABS light has been flicking on intermittently. Any ideas? Wheel speed sensor or air in the ABS system maybe? Haynes manual states that care must to be taken when changing fluid not to let the level drop below the min mark as air will enter the ABS hydraulic system and will require bleeding using  'special Ford test equipment'. Thanks for your thoughts.

Is it definitely the ABS light, not the low brake fluid light?  

If it's low fluid, I'd just expect a poor connection to the fluid level sensor since it was disturbed.

If it's ABS, that's a bit more complex.  Usually I'd suggest having the ABS fault code read to pinpoint the fault, but I'm not sure if Forscan works on a Mk1 Focus, and cheap generic OBD scanners don't generally read ABS faults.  Some indy garages may have tools that can read ABS faults on cars of that age.  I'm not even sure if Ford's current tool will be able to do it.  If you can't get any fault codes, it will just be a case of trial and error unfortunately.

If you want to a try a 'bodge', find a large empty gravel carpark, build up some speed 10/15mph and then slam on the brakes...that should trigger the ABS which can move any air trapped in the ABS pump.  Obviously undertaken at your own risk.  

Cheers Tom. Sorry for late reply but stupidly kept refreshing the page where I posted thinking replies to my question would show as a reply but in fact I had to reopen site. Yes, it's the ABS light and it's def intermittent. As I say, the Haynes manual does state care must be taken replacing fluid not to get air in ABS system as Ford have a special tool to sort this. No idea what that means. I have no leaks from the new hose and brake fluid remains on max, which is good.  I'll do a bit more research and report back any findings. Thanks for the reply.

10 minutes ago, Shimmers said:

As I say, the Haynes manual does state care must be taken replacing fluid not to get air in ABS system as Ford have a special tool to sort this. No idea what that means.

That's just the general Ford dealer diagnostic tool.  When plugged into the OBD port, it can electronically open all the valves in the ABS pump to prevent any air getting trapped in there. 

Ford used a different diagnostic tool back then though, I'm unsure if the current one would still support the older cars.

46 minutes ago, Shimmers said:

stupidly kept refreshing the page where I posted thinking replies to my question would show as a reply but in fact I had to reopen site

Refreshing the page should be sufficient. It works on my system but maybe it depends on the device and/or browser you're using. Mine is Firefox on Windows 7.

If a reply arrives whilst I'm viewing a topic I also get a pop-up notification with a button to show it.

39 minutes ago, mjt said:

Mine is Firefox on Windows 7.

You old fossil, move with the times. Who uses Firefox on Windows 7 these days ??? 🤔

Oh, wait a minute, that's exactly what I've got. Us dinosaurs need to stick together or we'll become extinct  🤣🤣

I'm definitely an old fossil .

My rôle model is Victor Meldrew.

I do have Windows 10 on a laptop and so far have managed to resist Microsoft's attempts to trick/pressure me into upgrading to Windows 11.

 

On 11/15/2023 at 6:36 PM, YOG said:

 

Interesting. Cheers Yog.