94 ABS only doing half its job

[Rpdboss]

After playing with the bleeders and changing the rear pads the ABS still seems half functional. When I turn on the key the abs light comes on the goes off, same with the traction control. Only when I start the car after it rains it seems do I get the traction control switch to work light wise and a slightly stiffer pedal but usuall loose all this in about a mile. When I have my wife cycle the key with my hand on the abs pump I feel a knock but no more. So heres what does work, when i'm driving on gravel or wet pavement and slam the brakes i feel the pedal pulse as it works the front brakes just as they start to skid, back brakes unkown. Also when i changed the back brakes i put on speed bleeders and bleed them till new fluid came out, turned the piston as i pushed them inward. Well when i drive and pull the ebrake its effects are hardly noticed. I know it works hardware wise as i cant turn the wheel when its on the jack and the ebrake is applied. The rotors are not miror like yet but have maybe 65% clean faces.

[Pablo94SC]

After playing with the bleeders and changing the rear pads the ABS still seems half functional. When I turn on the key the abs light comes on the goes off, same with the traction control. Only when I start the car after it rains it seems do I get the traction control switch to work light wise and a slightly stiffer pedal but usuall loose all this in about a mile. When I have my wife cycle the key with my hand on the abs pump I feel a knock but no more. So heres what does work, when i'm driving on gravel or wet pavement and slam the brakes i feel the pedal pulse as it works the front brakes just as they start to skid, back brakes unkown. Also when i changed the back brakes i put on speed bleeders and bleed them till new fluid came out, turned the piston as i pushed them inward. Well when i drive and pull the ebrake its effects are hardly noticed. I know it works hardware wise as i cant turn the wheel when its on the jack and the ebrake is applied. The rotors are not miror like yet but have maybe 65% clean faces.

First - if you need ABS to control your braking, you need to slow down!!

[/soapbox]

Now, have you bled the ABS control module in the DS fenderwell? You'll need to have that bled by a brake shop that can connect to it with a break-out box or with a Thexton control tool. I recommend having this bled while the system is connected to a pressure bleeder at the master cylinder. Ford can do this, though I'd suggest finding a reputable shop (NOT Value/Just-Brakes, Midas, or other chain place) as most dealership service departments will just throw parts at the issue hoping to fix it.

NOTE: The Teves Mark IV system is a 4-channel ABS system with front and rear independent. There is no key-on cycling or other steps that are associated with the early models with the Teves Mark II system. Keep the ignition in the OFF position durning bleeding. The proper bleed sequence is the standard PSR, DSR, PSF, DSF, though you can bleed the fronts without the rears or vice-versa (though I do not recommend it).

[Rpdboss]

Got it installed at my house by SafeLIte for $164. Also I have a question for all you auto people out there. My vac runs about 18 inches when in park and when i put it into drive or reverse it falls to around 13 inches. Is this typical or should i recheck all my connections and IC seals?

[Pablo94SC]

Got it installed at my house by SafeLIte for $164. Also I have a question for all you auto people out there. My vac runs about 18 inches when in park and when i put it into drive or reverse it falls to around 13 inches. Is this typical or should i recheck all my connections and IC seals?

That is normal.

[NickM]

That is normal.

Maybe normal if you have a cam...mine (with a stock '94 motor in it) idles 20 in gear, drops to 18 when the AC cycles-I would call 13 (if the guage is reading accurate) a little on the low side.

Nick

[DamonSlowpokeBaumann]

My 94 is at 20 as well.

The amount of ebrake effort needed to slow a 4,000lb car with driver is pretty great..I dont believe mine locks up if I can recall correctly but perhaps you need a cable adjustment.

As far as your ABS not working....Sounds like it sworking to me