Wheel sensor diagnostic

[bearcatdon]

My ABS light has come on so I'm assuming a wheel sensor has gone bad. How do I know which sensor has gone AWOL on me being that it doesn't look like there is an ECM code for it? Can this be diagnosed at home?

[gapboi210]

Well if it is a bad wheel sensor you can. But it is a tedious task. You would have to replace each wheel sensor one at a time untill you come across the one that isn't functioning. Try cleaning the sensors first. Try stomping on the breaks in a parking lot and see if only one wheel is locking up. I did thid on a '99 Cavalier and ABS worked on all other 3 wheels so I was able to pinpoint the bad wheel. Other than that you would have to use a scan tool. Keep in mind that the ABS system is entirely different than the ECM. Many scanners won't read the ABS or will not tell you enough info. Autozone or some other auto parts store in your area might be able to do the scan for you, sometimes free of charge.

[bearcatdon]

I know Auto Zone does ECM's guess I'll find out if they do ABS. Your right the home method is way too tedious. I'll pay the garage 60.00 before I go through all that and risk changing out a good 300.00 front bearing.

[bearcatdon]

AutoZone scans only ECM's so its off to the garage.

[scorch462558]

You can take it to the dealer and they can tel you what sensor is at fault.. but the hub bearing assembly will have to be replaced. its all 1 piece

[bearcatdon]

As a follow up, the problem was actually the alternator. I guess it wasn't pumping enough juice to run the ABS yet everything else in the car worked fine. Two months after the ABS light came on ( I was too busy to bring it anywhere) the alternator light accompanied it. Once I verified that the alternator was dead I changed it out and it killed the ABS light. With the exception of it coming on a few times in the first week, it has not lit up again in over 3 months. This makes me wonder. How many people have had ABS work done on their car then later changed the alternator which may have been the real problem?

[johnholl]

Originally Posted by bearcatdon

As a follow up, the problem was actually the alternator. I guess it wasn't pumping enough juice to run the ABS yet everything else in the car worked fine. Two months after the ABS light came on ( I was too busy to bring it anywhere) the alternator light accompanied it. Once I verified that the alternator was dead I changed it out and it killed the ABS light. With the exception of it coming on a few times in the first week, it has not lit up again in over 3 months. This makes me wonder. How many people have had ABS work done on their car then later changed the alternator which may have been the real problem?

No, I'm on my second alternator... ABS light has been on for the third time sense i bought it in 98... last time it weas a sensor. It's out of War, and the ABS system hasn't worked in over 3 years so, the hell with it