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Bad ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Symptoms?
Bad ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Symptoms
The most common symptom of a bad ABS wheel speed sensor is an ABS warning light on your car’s dashboard. You may also notice issues when braking.
The main symptoms of a bad or failing ABS wheel speed sensor include:
- Illuminated Warning Lights
- Pulsating Brake Pedal while Braking
- Loss of Anti-lock Brake
- Loss of Traction or Stability
The ABS wheel speed sensor is located at the wheel, behind the brake rotor, but some are placed directly on the axle. Each vehicle contains a varying amount of ABS wheel speed sensors.
If the system contains four ABS wheel speed sensors, there will be one at each wheel behind the rotor. Systems with three sensors have two at each front wheel and another on the rear axle instead of at the wheel.
The ABS wheel speed sensor can also be called an ABS brake sensor or, more plainly, an ABS sensor. Whatever it is called, it is a critical part of the ABS.
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is found on most new vehicles. ABS wheel sensors are attached to wheels or the axle to measure the rotation speed of the wheels. Most ABS sensors contain a toothed ring and magnet that’s enclosed with a coil. Contact between the magnet and ring creates an electric field, which turns into the signal that is sent to the ABS controller. From here, the controller determines the speed of each wheel or axle. This information is then transmitted to the Engine Control Module (ECM).
When the ECM sees that a wheel is locking up, the ABS is activated. It operates at such a fast speed that it often creates a grinding noise with a pulsating sensation.
If the vehicle is also equipped with traction control, the ABS sensor helps control the movement of the vehicle in precarious situations. When traction is lost, the speed of one wheel will be different than the others, causing the system to kick in.
The computer reduces the amount of braking force being applied to the wheel, causing trouble. When this force decreases, it allows the wheel to regain grip and rotate normally again. These same sensors run the stability control systems in modern cars as well.
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.
What causes ABS sensors to go bad?
There are a few things that can cause ABS sensors to go bad. One is dirt and debris accumulation on the sensor or in the connector. This can happen over time because the sensor is mounted in a very exposed area, especially if you live in an area with a lot of dust or dirt. Another possibility is corrosion, which can occur if water gets into the system. Finally, physical damage to the sensor itself can also cause it to fail
