How To: Service/Replace ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

[doylee4693]

I don't think there is an aftermarket option for that sensor. But you can order a new sensor from the dealer without the hub bearing, but if you order a bearing it comes with a new sensor. But to test the sensor itself, you can unplug the harness side of the sensor and test with a meter to be able to tell if the sensor is actually bad, refer to the original post for the ACmV specs.

it seems that dorman has a sensor.They are on ebay!I wonder if it fixes the problem.It may be the case where an aftermarket part is better then oem.

 

[electro]

it seems that dorman has a sensor.They are on ebay!I wonder if it fixes the problem.It may be the case where an aftermarket part is better then oem.

I personally do not see it being any "better" I mean hopefully it will be cheaper but if the mounting surface is need of attention changing the sensor is not likely to change anything.

The corrosion between the sensor and the mounting surface is the reason for cleaning. After the surface is cleaned it needs to be treated with a quality rust inhibitor.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

This is true. Even if there are aftermarket replacement sensors, the sensors themselves are a very simple design that rarely messes up without an extended period of operation with other issues in the system. Like stated, if the surface of the hub needs attention then the aftermarket sensor will have the same issues as the original sensor.

Also, like stated by ryan.m., if you have your truck scanned with the cheaper scanners like say from Autozone, they will often not show deeper hidden codes associated with narrowing down where your ABS issues are coming from. The dealer or anyone with a scanner that will also pull the right codes, can narrow down where the issue is whether it be with the right side, left side, the control module or other issues. While it does usually cost a good bit for this scanning (between $50-100 depending on who performs the scan), but narrowing down the issue before you get started can prove to save money and time fixing your ABS issues.

 

[LT102]

Can the Stability System be turned off fulltime (without doing any damage to the vehicle)? I know I can temporarily disable it but is there a way so I don't have to do every time I start the vehicle? Our 04' has a problem with the "traction activated" displaying and engine powering down when accelerating from a stopped position. From what I have read on this forum it's a sensor problem. After just dumping a grand into having the front ring & pinion replaced I'm a little short on cash and would like to delay this repair.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

I don't believe there is a way to disable it like you mentioned. When following the directions in this thread, it is very possible to service the sensors without spending more than $10 or so on some corrosion resistant paint. That is if you have the ability to do the mechanical side (ie: a place to do it being in winter, as well as the tools, etc)

On a side note. I had a Cadillac CTS a few years back that even when driving straight down the road at 25mph. The dealership (it was under warranty) wound up having me run a data logger on it because they could not replicate the problem when I took it in. It wound up being both the steering wheel position sensor and the yaw rate sensors that were not functioning properly. After going through three each of new sensors installed I finally wound up trading it because in owning it for two months it spent maybe a total of three weeks on the road. So there ARE other things that can cause the stability control to kick in, but from all accounts those other issues are very rare. To the point that the dealership said they had never seen one with the problems that the Cadillac had.

 

[LT102]

Thank you fore the info. I will try to repair the problem myself. I appreciate and think I can follow your step by step instructions. When I described the problem to the dealership they were not familiar with any such problems. Which shocked me as they are a GMC/Cadillac dealership. This issue is readily discussed on this forum and several other sites on the net.

 

[FishinCricket]

Awesome write up!

 

[LT102]

Just finished doing this procedure on our 2004 Yukon. I thought I followed everything to the letter but now in the odometer window it says "service stability" the "ABS" light and the T/C lights are on. Where did I go wrong?

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

It is possible that you got too much paint on the hub after removing the corrosion. It is VERY easy to do. Much like the corrosion that needs removed, you can easily spray too much paint on the hub without meaning to. It would cause enough separation between the sensor and the magnetic gear inside the hub bearing to cause a failure in communication in the system. Possibly...

 

[LT102]

That makes sense. Since I know how take everything apart and put it back together it should go smoother than the first time. Thanks for the help I really appreciate it.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

No problem at all. The first few I did happened the same way. I got REAL good at getting them apart...lol

 

[dbooksta]

OBD Scanners?

Are there any non-dealer OBD scanners that can show me which wheel has the bad sensor? I tried with a 2002 Auto X-Ray on my 2004 Yukon but it doesn't know any codes dealing with those sensors.

Also on a AWD truck are there sensors on all four wheels?

And what's the part number on the sensor. If I have to spend that much time just to remove the sensor and clean the area I'd like to have a new one on hand!

 

[FoeHammer865]

Bump.

I'm interested in answers to dBookstra's questions as that's my case with a '03 Denali XL.

TREVOR

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

Sorry guys, I missed this somehow, but I have answered the questions below in the quoted area.

Are there any non-dealer OBD scanners that can show me which wheel has the bad sensor? I tried with a 2002 Auto X-Ray on my 2004 Yukon but it doesn't know any codes dealing with those sensors.
There are actually many aftermarket scanners out there, but most are expensive, in the thousands of dollars each. If you have the cash and would like to have the ability to scan, data log, clear codes, or whatever; an EFI Live V2 scanner would probably be your best bet, especially if there is any chance at all that you might tune it in the future.

Also on a AWD truck are there sensors on all four wheels?
No Sir, only on the front wheels and one at the rear axle housing, but that rear one is RARELY the issue.

And what's the part number on the sensor. If I have to spend that much time just to remove the sensor and clean the area I'd like to have a new one on hand!
You can actually find them on Ebay below.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-OEM-2274...Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item56545ebd9b

 

[FreeIndeed]

I'm going to try this, but I'm a noob, so we'll see how getting the caliper and rotor off go. Also, I have a 2005 Denali XL. So far, none of the parts that have been posted fit that model. I tried the part above, but apparently they don't fit the Denali's. Any ideas on what the PN for the sensor is for my truck?
Thanks! This forum rocks.

 

[mickb]

Chris- 2 years later and your still helping people with this problem. Thank You,Thank You,Thank You !

 

[martha]

My first post, registered to thank the OP! Thanks, very helpful info. Paint was a good idea, piece of mind if nothing else... Had a shop do the cleaning in 2008, time flies, and the problem returned. They did not replace the sensors then.

I will add my 2c.. I have a 1997. Bought 2 new sensors in case I needed them for 41$ from O'Reilley's (L and R specific).. Did the L first. Found I had amazing amount of rust and a dirt shield blocking my view after rotor was off. Could not (and should not) remove hub studs to remove it, so I did what any self respecting hack would do, I bent the crap out of it until I could get at the sensor nut. It was a 5mm hex. I found a air compressor was almost a necessity to remove the junk from around the sensor. It also helped with drying the paint and thinning it to not have it be too thick. Bending the shield back seemed to go easy. I used a small piece of paper towel to plug the holes during cleaning and painting. I too had the plastic cover stay behind and used a fine and bigger hemostat to remove it. It took all of 2 hours for the first one, then before I could do the other side, I got called into work and had to drive it.. Guess what, it's fixed! So I'll return the R side sensor and wait another year or 2... Why fix now what may never break??

I sort of thought the R side would be more likely to have rust as it sees the roadside slush a bit more, but that logic failed, and my L bearing has made more noise so I luckily went there first.. I was due a break!

Thanks again for the write up and pics.

 

[Freedom Motorsports]

It is truly my pleasure to continue to support the thread and the forum in general. Although not able to get here as much as I would like. I am glad to see that this thread has helped some of you guys get this figured out on the cheap. Just a side note, I do not always receive notifications of posts to the thread, so if you need help looking up part numbers or anything of that sort, either pm me or one of the other forum vendors and any one of us would be happy to help you find what you need.

 

[wolfehunter]

What a very helpful post! I registered today after reading the post and tearing into this project this afternoon! I had a lot of corrosion. I cleaned everything with a wire brush and am getting ready to hit it with rustoleum. My truck is a 98 4X4 Silverado and recently developed a "creeping" while braking at slow speeds and what feels like the ABS coming on. I had trouble removing the sensors from the hub. Is there a trick? Removed the small bolt holding them on and tried pulling them out but would not budge. I could twist them back and forth somewhat and even tried pulling up on them with a pliers to no avail. Got a small screwdriver under them and tried to pry out and ended up breaking both of them! Used a needle nose to pull the broken pieces out.....what a clutz! So now I need two new sensors regardless. Plan to check online for some.

 

[GRG5289]

Hello Gang!

I just googled my way to this site and found this topic, I'm hoping this is related to my issue. I have a 2006 Tahoe, when I go to take off from a red light or stop sign I get a growl from what sounds like the traction control (as if you would lock the brakes and slide in the snow) or tried to spin the tires from a dead stop in the snow. This vehicle was parked under trees and the bottom side is very rusty, ( just had to replace a front impact sensor) Does this sound like a wheel speed sensor could be causing this?

Thanks for your help!