ABS Sensor

What is a ABS Sensor?

The ABS sensor is also known as the Wheel Speed Sensor. The job of the sensor is to provide a digital signal to the car's ECU that reports the speed of each wheel.

This function is vital for ABS to operate as without speed readings from the wheels the ECU cannot determine whether a wheel is locking up under braking. When the ECU detects a wheel is turning at a speed slower than is possible relative to the other wheels it will engage the ABS system to manage braking on the wheel. Once the wheel then returns to a normal speed it will re apply the brake (via the abs pump). This process repeats up to 20 times per second and is responsible for the grinding sensation you sometimes feel when you apply the brakes.

If the sensors malfunction this vital safety system cannot work correctly. It's not always clear if the sensors are failing as other issues can make them appear to be the culprit. Any problems or warnings from the ABS should be investigated by a qualified mechanic.

What problems can be caused by a faulty ABS Sensor?

Car skids and brakes lock up when braking hard

Check Brakes warning light shows on dashboard

ABS warning light shows on dashboard

How much does it cost to replace the ABS Sensor?

The ABS sensor is another part that varies hugely in cost depending on the manufacturer, they can range from £500 to £3500. They will usually take a couple of hours to replace.

105 problems that mention the ABS Sensor

Showing the latest 10, see more problems here

3
responses

2017 ford kuga vignale 2ltr, coming up too slow, AWD turned off, to hot, no cit stop,

It is intermitant, comes on dashboard. 5 problems, front camera off service, no hill start, no all wheel drive-off too hot. no city stop, no speed coming up on dash in right hand corner. Going too slo...

2017 Ford Kuga vignale
Posted: Aug 28, 2023

5
responses

Service Airbag Fault Light

Whilst driving at random intervals it will make a ping sound and show 'Service Airbag' I have taken it into the garage and they've said it definitely doesn't have a problem with the airbags and that i...

2016 Vauxhall ADAM Adam Glam
Posted: Apr 21, 2023

1
response

2017 titanium Speedometre turns itself off .

Esc message comes on I press ok then the speedometre goes off. comes back on again, a bit later it does it again.

2017 Ford Mondeo Titanium
Posted: Mar 21, 2023

2
responses

ESP keeps cutting in

ESP keeps triggering on roundabouts. Since new rack fitted. Has had 4wheel alignment and steering sensors fitted but still the same

2009 Citroen C5 2.0 diesel
Posted: Feb 26, 2023

4
responses

2016 vivaro putting on all lights on dash

I hit a kirb in the ice ,on passenger side wheel , no damage, van drove for an hour perfect afterwards, now van is throwing lights on for airbags , braking system fault , Power steering fault ,tractio...

2016 Vauxhall Vivaro 1600 van
Posted: Dec 12, 2022

2
responses

Abs light +service light have come on

lights have just come on

2001 Renault Scenic 1.6i
Posted: Nov 30, 2022

6
responses

Front Wheel Bearing

I’m replacing the front wheel bearing and the bearing has on one side a magnetic strip which is used by the ABS sensor All the U Tube videos say this strip should be inserted into the bearing facin...

2004 Ford Streetka Luxury
Posted: Nov 15, 2022

31
responses

Check Parking brake system, warning light, engine light ,parking break and auto parking break light all lappear at the same time .

check Parking brake system, warning light, engine light ,parking break and auto parking break light all lappear at the same time withoiut affecting the car performance at all. All these light will sta...

2015 Toyota Avensis 4D-D
Posted: Oct 2, 2022

1
response

Traction control lights

Had all new abs sensors. Replaced two front wheel bearings and no faults showing but ASR and Traction control light still on. Garage says it is now a sensor fault on steering column. Is this correct.

2010 Vauxhall Antara 2.0 td
Posted: Aug 27, 2022

1
response

Abs/esp/esw warning lights keep coming on

abs and esp warning lights coming on when im driving. they go off after i switch engine off and only come up after ive driven a couple of miles. had a diagnostic check done but they didnt find any fau...

2008 Peugeot 308 1.6 tdi
Posted: Jul 30, 2022

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