Four Signs That Your ABS Speed Sensor Is Not Working (and How to Replace It)
ABS wheels speed sensors are an integral part of any automobile. They perform multiple functions and can be very useful. You might experience multiple symptoms if one of the ABS wheel speed sensors fails.
This article reviews a bad ABS wheel speed sensor’s symptoms, location, function, and replacement cost. Let’s take a quick look at what signs you can expect.
Four Bad ABS Sensor Signs
The most common symptom of a bad ABS wheel speed sensor is an ABS warning light on your car’s dashboard. It is possible to notice problems when you brake.
An ABS sensor that is not working properly or fails to function correctly can cause the following signs:
There are not many indicators that an ABS sensor is bad. Because the ABS control module will activate the system and light up the ABS warning indicator, this is important. This is an extensive list of symptoms that indicate a problem with the ABS wheel speed sensor.
Illuminated Warning Lighting
There are several important indicators on your dashboard that can alert you of danger. The ABS light will be the most obvious sign that your ABS wheel speed sensor is failing.
It might just cause the ABS warning lamp to turn on at first. It could also cause the ABS warning lamp to turn on. However, if other systems are not functioning correctly, the traction control and stability control warning lamps might come on.
Rarely, an ABS wheel speed sensor failure can stop the speedometer from registering.
RELATED: What does the ABS light mean & What Causes it?
While braking, pulse the brake pedal
ABS sensors are used to measure each wheel's speed. In the event that one ABS sensor is defective, one or more ABS sensors will be unable to read the correct speed. The ABS module will think the car is sliding across a slippery surface and get fooled.
You will notice an ABS or traction control kick in. This can be felt by feeling the brake pedal pump or pulse while you brake.
Lost Antilock Brakes
The ABS wheel sensor can fail, causing the anti-lock brakes not to work. The ABS warn light is lit when there's a problem.
From here, the vehicle’s electronic control module stops receiving valuable data from the sensor. This data is what the computer uses to identify if your wheels have locked up and need assistance.
Because the system doesn’t know what is happening, the ABS shuts down until the repair is made.
Loss of Stability or Traction Control
Anti-lock brakes can be lost, along with other functions like stability control, traction, roll stability and hill-start assistance. These systems are also shut down when the sensor ceases sending information.
However, you can experience problems even when the ABS light isn’t on. You might have problems with traction or handling when you brake suddenly in bad weather.
This could be due to damaged wiring connecting the ECM to the sensor.
ABS Sensor for Wheel Speed
Although the ABS wheel speed sensors can be located behind the brake drum, many are directly attached to the axle. Every vehicle has a different number of ABS wheel speed sensor.
Four ABS wheel speed sensors will be installed in a system with four ABS wheels. One sensor is located behind each wheel. System with three sensors will have one sensor at each wheel, and two on the front axle.
ABS types determine how many sensors the vehicle has. These are the four ABS types.
Two-channel, four-sensor ABS: One sensor is located on each wheel, but there’s a channel in the front and one for the rear. ABS is activated at the wheel where speed sensors have detected a lockup.
Triple-channel ABS, with three sensors: Each front wheel has one sensor and the rear axle one. The rear wheels can be monitored simultaneously, but the front wheels must be evaluated individually.
Four-channel ABS with three-channels: Although there are four sensors at each wheel, only the rear wheels use one controller.
Four-sensor ABS: A sensor is placed at each wheel. Each sensor can be monitored independently. This is the standard configuration for modern vehicles.
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Function
ABS wheel speed sensors can be called ABS brake sensors or more simply, ABS sensors. No matter what its name, the ABS wheel speed sensor is an essential part.
New vehicles include the anti-lock brake system (ABS). ABS wheel sensors can be attached to either the wheels or to the axle in order to measure the wheels' rotation speed. Most ABS sensors contain a toothed ring and magnet that’s enclosed with a coil. An electric field is created when the magnet contacts the ring. This creates the signal which is transmitted to the ABS controller.
Reported: Four Signs That Your ABS Ring is Bad
This is where the controller calculates the axle or wheel speed. This data is transmitted to Engine Control Module (ECM).
If the ECM notices that a wheel locks up, it activates the ABS. The ABS operates at such high speed, it can often produce a grinding sound with a pulse sensation.
The ABS sensor is used to help control vehicle movement in dangerous situations if the vehicle has traction control. If traction becomes lost, one wheel may move faster than another, and the ABS system will kick in.
Problems can be caused by the computer reducing the wheel's braking force. This force is reduced, which allows the wheel to gain grip again and turn normally. The same sensors also control the stability control system in modern cars.
RELATED: A Bad ABS Control Module
ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement Cost
The cost of replacing an ABS wheel speed sensor is typically $200 to $400 depending on car make and labor costs. Expect to spend between $100 to $150 on the wheel speed sensor, and $100 to $300 on the labor.
ABS speed sensors in luxury vehicles may be more expensive than others. Also, certain models might require more labor, making them more costly.
However, it’s not difficult to replace the ABS wheel speed sensor yourself with a few tools. This project is worth taking on if you are familiar with basic mechanics. These can get stuck over time so you will need to use a heat source to free them.
ABS Sensor FAQs
What happens if the ABS sensor is bad?
If your ABS sensor is faulty, it means that your car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) won’t be working properly. That being said, you can technically drive with a bad ABS sensor, but it’s not recommended. Safety should always be your number one priority when driving, so if you have a bad ABS sensor, it’s best to get it fixed as soon as possible.
Are ABS sensors able to be washed?
Although you can clean the ABS sensor it's unlikely it will fix the problem. Open circuits and electrical problems are two of the main reasons ABS sensors can fail. The ABS sensor can be misread if it has a very old ABS relay ring.
How can ABS sensors fail?
ABS sensors may go bad from a variety of factors. Dirt and debris buildup on the sensor and connector is one of the most common causes. It can occur over time due to the fact that the sensor is located in a high-exposure area. Corrosion can also occur when water is introduced to the system. Physical damage to the sensor may also lead to its failure.
What does the ABS sensor do to acceleration?
This is possible, although it's unlikely. ABS sensors can also be used to control traction. If a wheel has a wrong speed it will cause the ABS sensor to reduce engine power as a safety measure.
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