Symptom Chart

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Ford RV Cutaway, 2008 Ford Econoline, 2008 Ford E450 Super Duty, and 2008 Ford Cutaway. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Symptom Chart

Condition	Possible Sources	Action
The red BRAKE warning indicator and the yellow ABS warning indicator are both illuminated	DTCs present in the ABS module	REFER to the ABS Module DTC Chart in this article.
The ABS warning indicator is never on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Instrument cluster	REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC) AND WARNING CHIMES article to continue diagnosis of the warning indicator.
The red BRAKE warning indicator is always/never on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Parking brake switch Brake fluid level switch (part of the master cylinder) Brake fluid level Instrument cluster	REFER to INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC) AND WARNING CHIMES article to continue diagnosis of the warning indicator.
The traction control indicator (in the instrument cluster) is always/never on	DTCs present in the ABS module or PCM PCM Instrument cluster	RETRIEVE and RECORD any ABS module DTCs. Go to the ABS Module DTC Chart. If there are no DTCs present in the ABS module, RETRIEVE and RECORD any PCM DTCs. REFER to the appropriate Engine Performance article. If there are no PCM DTCs, REFER to Diagnosis and Testing in INSTRUMENT CLUSTER (IC) AND WARNING CHIMES article.
The traction control indicator (in the instrument cluster) is flashing at all times	NOTE: It is normal for the indicator to flash during a traction control event. PCM not configured or system not initialized	RETRIEVE and RECORD all ABS module DTCs and Go to the ABS Module DTC Chart. If no DTCs are present, RECONFIGURE the PCM. REFER to Programmable Module Installation in MODULE CONFIGURATION article.
The traction control system is inoperative	Traction control system is turned off Traction control system is not configured Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors ABS wheel speed sensor fault HS-CAN bus fault PCM	Go to Pinpoint Test P .
The traction control OFF indicator (in the switch) is always/never on	Wiring, terminals or connectors Traction control switch PCM	Go to Pinpoint Test Q .
No communication with the ABS module	Wiring, terminals or connectors ABS module	REFER to MODULE COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK article to diagnose the no communication concern.
The traction control system cannot be disabled/enabled	Fuse Wiring, terminals or connectors Traction control switch PCM	Go to Pinpoint Test P .
Wheels lock up	Brake pads Brake calipers and/or guide pins	ELIMINATE the base brake system as the cause of the problem. REFER to Diagnosis and Testing in BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Parking brake shoes out of adjustment (dragging)	CHECK and if necessary, ADJUST the parking brake shoes. REFER to PARKING BRAKE AND ACTUATION article.
	Hydraulic outlet (dump) valve Leaky inlet (isolation) valve during ABS (soft)	BLEED the HCU. REFER to Brake System Bleeding in BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article. TEST the system for normal operation. If the symptom returns, INSTALL a new HCU. REFER to Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) in this article.
Vehicle pulls during braking	Brake pads Brake discs Brake calipers and/or guide pins Wheel speed sensor failure	DISCONNECT the ABS module electrical connector. DRIVE the vehicle and VERIFY the condition. If the condition is still present, REFER to BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article to diagnose the base braking system. If the condition is no longer present, go to Pinpoint Test C .
ABS false activation, ABS too sensitive, ABS activates on normal stop	Brake pads Brake calipers and/or guide pins	ELIMINATE the base brake system as the cause of the problem. REFER to Diagnosis and Testing in BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Parking brake shoes out of adjustment (dragging)	CHECK and if necessary, ADJUST the parking brake shoes. REFER to PARKING BRAKE AND ACTUATION article.
	Front wheel speed sensor rings	INSPECT both front wheel speed sensor rings for damaged teeth. CHECK the wheel speed sensor gap.
	Front wheel speed sensor	Go to Pinpoint Test D .
	Chafed wire insulation or pinched wire	INSPECT the wiring harness from the front wheel speed sensor knuckle to the frame.
	Open or shorted wheel speed sensor circuit	Go to Pinpoint Test C .
	Transmission output shaft speed (OSS) sensor	REFER to AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - 4R70E/4R75E article or AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/TRANSMISSION - TORQSHIFT article to diagnose the OSS sensor.
Soft/excessive brake pedal travel	Air in brake system Brake calipers and/or guide pins Brake flexible hose Brake master cylinder Brake pads Brake pedal	ELIMINATE the base brake system as the cause of the problem. REFER to Diagnosis and Testing in BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article.
	Inlet (isolation) valve or hydraulic outlet (dump) valve Leaky inlet (isolation) valve during ABS applications (soft)	BLEED the hydraulic control unit (HCU). REFER to Brake System Bleeding in BRAKE SYSTEM - GENERAL INFORMATION article. TEST the system for normal operation. If the symptom returns, INSTALL a new HCU. REFER to Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) in this article.