This article contains affiliate links. Using any of the links on this page will allow me to earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. ABS sensors, which can malfunction in a variety of ways, have been on your mind as you’ve read about them. When it comes to diagnosing a problem with an ABS sensor, many drivers are stumped. When a vehicle has more than two wheels, the number of ABS sensors increases.
Because they are strategically located within the wheel hub and monitor speed and rotation, anti-lock brake system (ABS) sensors are also known as wheel speed sensors. Because a bad ABS sensor might cause other issues, it’s important to learn how to spot a bad ABS sensor.
You Are Watching: How To Tell Which Abs Sensor Is Bad Updated 04/2024
How To Tell Which ABS Sensor Is Bad
Even removing your wheel hub to get a good look at your ABS sensor would not tell you if it is bad or not. Damage to the ABS sensor, on the other hand, can be identified in this manner as damage. There are times where you’ll need a diagnostic tool to run diagnostic tests and identify whether the ABS sensor is indeed the problematic one if it isn’t physically broken. You need use the Autel Scanner MaxiCOM MK808 for this troubleshooting in order to determine which ABS sensor is malfunctioning. Detailed instructions on how to conduct the experiment may be found here:
Plug in the Autel MaxiCOM MK808 (or any other vehicle diagnostic equipment that enables ABS scanning) to your automobile. The scanner needs to be booted up and followed the directions in the manual to identify your car. The “Auto Detect” button may be found in the upper left corner of the Autel MaxiCOM MK808. Afterwards, the scanner will be able to automatically identify your vehicle’s VIN. Click on “Control Unit” once the scan tool is able to decipher your car’s VIN and connects to your car’s computer. A list of your vehicle’s anti-lock brake systems can be found by selecting “ABS” on the next page. Now, select “Read Codes” from the menu. You’ll have to wait a few seconds or minutes for a scanning interface to appear.
As soon as the scan is finished, the problem codes found in your car will be shown on the Autel MaxiCOM MK808 (or other scanner). You can identify the faulty wheel speed sensor from this location (s). But if you want to be more precise and acquire exactly what you’re looking for, return to the previous interface where you clicked “Read Codes.” “Live Data,” on the other hand, should be clicked on this time. “Live Data” will display real-time information about numerous components of the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Look for “Wheel Speed Sensors” in the list below. Wheel Speed Sensors and ABS sensors are interchangeable. The wheel speed sensor should indicate “Zero” if the vehicle is stationary (0). One of the wheel sensors that reports “Zero” when the automobile is stationary is to blame.
The “Left rear wheel hub” ABS sensor appears to be defective in the given screenshot. This is despite the fact that I’m standing stationary. There is alphabetical order to the “Live Data” results, thus the “Left Rear” and “Left Front” wheels data appeared first.
To find out the readings for the “Right Front” and the “Right Rear”, continue scrolling down. They are both at “Zero,” indicating that the left rear ABS sensor is the problem. The “Live Data” interface also shows a plethora of additional data.
Diagnosing ABS Sensor Fault
Yes. This troubleshooting procedure may alter somewhat if you use a different OBD2 scan tool, but you will still get the same results. A scan tool for your car can also be used for a variety of other tasks. This includes eliminating the check engine light from your dashboard, reading and correcting problem codes, and more. You should read the manual for any scan tool you use for this test, though. Driver-side access to an OBD2 scan tool is the most common method. You may not have had an ABS problem if you checked the ABS sensors and found that they were all good.
Run a comprehensive diagnostic on your vehicle using the OBD2 scanner you already own. Make sure the automobile isn’t moving while you do this. The anti-lock braking system (ABS) might potentially malfunction if the wiring is incorrect. As a result, the wiring for your car’s anti-lock braking system (ABS) should be on your to-do list when you’re trying to fix a problem. If all of this is too much for you, we recommend that you seek the help of a mechanic.
Conclusion
We hope our readers now understand how to detect which ABS sensor is faulty after following the precise instructions outlined above. Every OBD2 scan tool supports “Live Data” analysis, which is allegedly the best technique to identify a defective ABS sensor regardless of the make and model of the vehicle. Finally, if you uncover faulty ABS sensors, take the vehicle to a mechanic shop and get them replaced by a trained expert. You have the option of swapping out all of the ABS sensors or just the one that’s broken (s). It’s risky to drive with a defective ABS sensor, and you may have to pay extra money for repairs as a result.
Sources: https://micdot.com
Category: Car
