What Problems Can A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor Cause? Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Speed Sensor new for 2022

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A bad wheel speed sensor can cause a variety of problems with your car.

If your wheel speed sensor is malfunctioning, it can cause your car to pull to one side, make strange noises, or even stall out.

So What Problems Can A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor Cause? Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Speed Sensor. We’ll provide you some information in this post. Let’s explore together!

Contents

What Problems Can A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor Cause?

How Does Speed Sensor Work and Its Location

The speed sensor works by reading the speed of the wheel and relaying that information to the computer. The computer uses this information to control the transmission shift points, based on how fast the vehicle is moving. The speed sensor is usually located on the differential, near where the drive shaft meets the differential.

The ABS sensor is located at the front wheel. But in the rear tires, they are found inside the rear-end housing. This is where a car with four sensors would be positioned. In a vehicle with three Sensors, there will be a speed sensor on each of the front wheels, but only one on the rear axle. The number and position of sensors in a vehicle depend on its ABS system.

The following are the primary types of wheel speed sensor systems:

Four Sensor ABS: Each wheel has one sensor on it.
Four Sensors, Two Channel ABS: There are two sensors on each wheel, one for the front and one for the rear.
Three Sensor ABS, Three Channel ABS: There are two sensors on the front axle and one on the back axle for the rear wheels. The front and rear axles are monitored separately.
Four Sensor, Three Channel ABS: Each wheel has one sensor, but the rear wheels are gauged on a single controller.

What Causes Wheel Speed Sensor Failure?

The most common causes of an ABS sensor malfunction are internal sensor failure or damage to the sensor tip. To test if the wheel speed sensor winding is bad, use an ohmmeter and compare it against service specs. If you confirm that the sensors wiring is in fact damaged, replacing it should solve the issue and clear the ABS light.

Other factors that can cause the speed sensor in your car’s wheels to fail, including:

Debris Accumulation: If the speed sensor is dirtied, it will be unable to provide an accurate signal.
Tires that Don’t Match: If you have different tires on your car, they will rotate at varying speeds. This confuses the sensors and gives them incorrect signals.
High Heat: Because the wheel sensors are located right next to the braking system, they may become inoperative owing to heat generated by the brakes.

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What Problems Will A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor Cause?

If the speed sensor is not working properly, it can cause a few different problems.

Poor transmission shifting

The first problem that can occur is poor transmission shifting. If the speed sensor is not sending the correct information to the computer, the transmission may shift at the wrong time or not shift at all. This can cause problems when accelerating or decelerating and can even lead to transmission damage.

The speedometer may give incorrect readings

Another problem that can occur is the speedometer may give incorrect readings. In some cases, the speedometer may not work at all. This is caused by the speed sensor not sending the correct information to the computer, which in turn does not send the correct information to the speedometer.

Traction control issues

Lastly, a bad speed sensor can cause traction control issues. Traction control uses wheel speed sensors to determine if one of the wheels is slipping. If the speed sensor is not working properly, it can cause the traction control system to engage when it is not needed or not engage when it is needed. This can lead to poor traction and even accidents.

If you notice any of these problems, it is important to have the speed sensor checked as soon as possible. Driving with a bad speed sensor can damage the transmission and cause other problems. It is best to have the sensor replaced if it is not working properly.

Symptoms of a Bad Wheel Speed Sensor

When a vehicle’s speed sensor malfunctions, it exhibits various anomalies that draw the attention of the vehicle owner. However, addressing issues without comprehending the message sent by these symptoms will be difficult. The following are some of the most prevalent symptoms exhibited by a malfunctioning speed sensor.

Display of the Check Engine Light

A faulty wheel speed sensor is one of the most typical engine malfunctions that can trigger the Check Engine Light, and it’s also one of the most frequent causes of the light being displayed.

If your automobile’s dashboard has a continuous display of the Check Engine light, traction control light, and ABS caution light, look into what might be wrong. An OBDII Scanner may help you diagnose problems faster.

Failure to activate cruise control

If the cruise control system is disabled because the wheel speed sensor does not get any signal, it is due to a faulty cruise control system. As a result, if you find out that your vehicle’s cruise control won’t engage while you’re driving, it might be due to an bad wheel speed sensor.

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Irregular speedometer readings

The speed sensor is a vital component for the proper functioning of most modern vehicle’s speedometer system. If the speed sensor goes bad, it will have an adverse effect on how well the speedometer works.

In other words, until you fix the broken wheel speed sensor, your car’s speedometer will display inaccurate readings. Be sure to take care of this problem as soon possible because it could be dangerous.

Transmission problems

The timing for every gear shift in a car’s transmission system is based off the signal from the wheel speed sensor. If the wheel speed sensor doesn’t deliver an accurate signal, then the whole transmission system fails to engage properly.

A defective wheel speed sensor can cause the transmission to have hard or delayed shifting, and limit gear operations.

The failure of the gearbox torque converter to apply the clutch

Another giveaway that a vehicle speed sensor is kaput is the transmission’s inability to engage the clutch. When this happens, there is no connection between the car’s engine and the transmission system.

A faulty wheel speed sensor can cause sluggish shifting, transmission overheating, higher fuel use, and slipping. If you’re having any of these difficulties, it’s likely that your car’s wheel speed sensor is broken and has to be replaced.

How do you troubleshoot a speed sensor?

Check Sensor Connection.
Check Gap.
Resistance Measurement (two wire plug only)
Check Power (three wire plug only)
Check Wiring (three wire plug only)

How much is it to fix a wheel speed sensor?

The average cost to replace your vehicle’s wheel speed sensor will depend on various factors, including labor costs, the make and model of your car, and where you live. Follow this guide to get a better estimate of what it may cost to fix your car.

FAQs What Problems Can A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor Cause

How do I know if my wheel speed sensor is bad?

The ABS light coming on is the most typical symptom of a faulty wheel speed sensor, although other symptoms include: Traction Control Light On. Stability Control Light On. Transmission Doesn’t Shift Gears.

Is it bad to drive with a bad wheel speed sensor?

In general, driving a car with a faulty speed sensor is not recommended. Because the computer will be unable to determine the speed your vehicle is traveling, it may apply the brakes at a higher rate than required or increase engine power.

Can a wheel speed sensor cause transmission problems?

The sensors send wheel speed info to the traction control system, however they can become faulty over time and lead to problems. The transmission system might be receiving incorrect signals from the ABS, causing it not shift correctly.

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Can a bad wheel speed sensor cause rough idle?

When you start your car, it may rumble or hesitate erratically, or it might burn more gasoline than usual. In addition, due to incorrect signals transmitted from the speed sensor to the fuel system, your vehicle’s power may suddenly decrease.

Can you drive without wheel speed sensors?

If the wheel speed sensor is disconnected or faulty, it will not report any data to the ECU when there’s an issue. The ABS system won’t know to start working, and you may lose control of your car and cause a collision.

Is the wheel speed sensor in the wheel bearing?

With the increasing use of ABS and ESC systems, wheel speed sensors have become necessary for wheel bearings. A magnetoresistive sensor has a sensing element that contains an output module mounted on a substrate along with magnetic material. These rings are commonly located around the seal of the bearing.

How long does it take to change a wheel speed sensor?

It might take anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour to replace a tire pressure sensor.

Should I replace all wheel speed sensors?

Take a look at the following indications that suggest it’s time to change a wheel speed sensor sooner rather than later: Your check engine light turns on without warning (this is usually how you’ll discover a wheel speed sensor failure in an older automobile). The ABS light illuminates on your dashboard.

Can a bad speed sensor cause no start?

When an air sensor is faulty, it might prevent your engine from starting. Since every engine needs the correct air to fuel ratio and ignition timing in order to start, a malfunctioning sensor that can’t alter these indicators on the fly may result in an engine not starting. Faulty sensors may prevent your car from starting, but this is generally done for safety reasons.

Conclusion

If you’re experiencing problems with your wheel speed sensor, it may be time to replace it. The most common issues caused by a bad wheel speed sensor are listed above by amortips.com‘s team. However, there can be other causes of these symptoms as well. If you’re not sure whether or not your wheel speed sensor is causing the issue, have a certified technician take a look at it and diagnose the problem for you.