1997 Ford Ranger: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Sep 19, 2009 · Brakes · MI · fire

Drove my 1997 ford ranger truck to lunch at work upon returning sitting down for 10 minutes a coworker ran into the plant saying my truck was on fire my master cylinder for my brakes was on fire and was put out there is alot of damage. I believe was caused by defective ABS break sensor don't know if there is a recall on them or not hope you can help.

Filed Dec 16, 2003 · Electrical, Fuel system · 100,000 miles · WV

The location and connection of the factory alarm system caused the relay switch under the dash to overheat and the battery drained even when the vehicle was turned off.*jb electrical system on 1997 ford ranger is malfunctioning. Abs system lights illuminates when the emergency brake is engaged. The fuel gauge is inoperative, relays under the dashboard started heating up. Consumer concered that air bags may fail if vehicle is involved in an accident.

Filed Feb 22, 2001 · Brakes · TX

While consumer was driving in a 20 MPH zone ABS light came on. There has been other times that light came on. This problem happened at any speed . Contacted dealer, and dealer said there was nothing they could do. This is was second time that vehicle was taken in for same problem.

Filed Nov 1, 2000 · Visibility · WA

The blend air door inside of the heater/def plenum broke - casuing extreme heat in cab. Door is not serviceable - requires total heater replacement. See ford tsb 99-8-8. 7-10 hours labor to fix a 2.00 part. Ford replaced this ABS plactic blend air door with stonger nylon - plenum #f87z-18471-da. This is a known defect yet no announcement is made to owners. This could cost me up to $1000.00 or more to fix on a 3 year old car. Also this inhibits the AC system to work.

Filed Jun 20, 2000 · Brakes · TN

While driving ABS brake light would come on unexpectedly, and when brakes were applied, they malfunctioned.

Filed Apr 7, 2000 · Brakes, Seats · VA

Brakes lock up and truck will skid no matter what speed, truck becomes uncontrollable. Windshield wipers will come on and spray during some left turns, for no apparant reason. This causes the inability to see. When brakes are applied(and truck goes nuts)the passenger front seat launches forward even though it is locked into position. One incident was I was making a left turn onto a busy street when my wipers came on and sprayed fluid all over, I tried to apply my brakes and the tires locked up and truck started to skid, and the seat holding my infant son's car seat was thrown forward into the dash. I was traveling maybe 4-6 MPH. Some one is going to get killed in this vehicle. I contacted ford and they say I have no recourse and have never heard of such things happening with thier vehicles. I have had the brakes inspected and I am told that they look fine, and there is no problem with the ABS dummy light coming on in the vehicle. Please, please can you make ford do something about this? I noticed that there are a lot of similar complaints with this truck posted here on the federal safety agency's site. Thank you.

Filed Nov 5, 1999 · Brakes · AZ

The ABS sensor is coming on constantly. Contacted dealer and they explained that there was dirt getting on the sensor, causing the light to come on which is a design flaw.

Filed Sep 9, 1999 · Brakes · AZ

When vehicle is parked & left in sun for a length of time & then start up, ABS light comes on & stays on. Abs brakes would shut down. Need to turn vehicle off & restarted to activate ABS braking system. Will be taking vehicle to dealer to check.

Filed Aug 13, 1997 · Brakes · CA

Intermittently the ABS warning light will blink on and off. The master cylinder was replaced on 8/4/97 and the light still continues to blink.