How to Clean ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Yourself

In this guide, you will learn how to clean an ABS wheel speed sensor that may be dirty and is triggering the ABS light to come on.  Cleaning your ABS sensor is very easy. One or more dirty wheel sensors can cause the system to trigger the ABS light. Most cars since 2000 will have at least two or more anti-lock brake sensors.

Instructions on How to Clean ABS Wheel Speed Sensor

If your ABS light comes on, it is recommended to read the fault codes with an ABS scanner, such as the YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro, to determine which sensor is defective. If an ABS scanner is not available, all sensors should be cleaned.

What you need

You need a few tools to clean your sensor and be back on the road.

• Jack and Jack stand
• Mechanic Toolset
• Clean rag
• Rust penetrating oil
• Lug nut wrench

Procedure

1. Park on level ground, turn off the engine and set the parking brake.
2. Use the wrench to loosen the lug nuts but not remove them.
3. Jack up the car and secure the vehicle with jack stands.  Once you have removed the lug nuts, you can remove the wheel. Be sure to keep the lug nuts safe since you will need them to reattach the wheel later on.
4. Now locate the ABS sensor and remove it. The easiest way to locate the ABS sensor is to track the electrical wire (not the brake line) that goes to the wheel hub. To remove it, you will need to remove the bolt. Typically, a 10mm bolt, but in some cases, this may require an Allen key or Torx bit.
5. Ensure that no additional wires connect the sensor to the frame.
6. Remove the ABS sensor bolt, and the ABS sensor should come off quickly. If not, spray penetrating oil and wait 10 min before trying to remove the sensor.
7. Use a rag to clean the ABS  sensor. It is not recommended to use any cleaning solutions, or you may damage the sensor.
8. Once you have wiped and cleaned the ABS sensor, reinstall it.
9. Install the wheel and torque the lug nuts.
10. Start up the car and go for a short drive.

The ABS light should reset if a dirty ABS sensor triggers the light. If the ABS light remains on, the problem can be an internal failure of the ABS sensor or module. Read fault codes to find out why the ABS light is on.

How to Diagnose ABS Light

The ABS scanner is used to read the fault codes and determine the problem if the ABS light remains on. Cleaning the ABS wheel speed sensor is simple but does not always fix the problem. In some cases, the sensor may need to be replaced. The YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro can read and clear fault codes in the engine and other control modules on supported vehicles.

The scanner can read and clear fault codes in the engine and other control modules on supported vehicles.

How to Replace ABS Sensor

This video shows how to replace a faulty ABS sensor. Replacing the ABS wheel speed sensor is easy and takes most DIYers approximately one hour. Replacement ABS wheel speed sensors are inexpensive and can be purchased online.

When to Stop and Hand It Over

• The sensor is seized in the knuckle and will not come out without breaking.
• The tone ring has visible damage or missing teeth.
• The light returns after cleaning, which means it is a genuine failure.
• The wiring is chafed or the connector is corroded beyond cleaning.

Confirming the Clean Worked

The honest limitation of cleaning is that you cannot tell whether it worked until the light either stays off or comes back. Most ABS codes latch and stay stored even after the fault is gone, so the light stays on regardless and you learn nothing.

The scanner clears ABS codes after the clean and shows live wheel speed on all four corners, so you can roll the car and watch whether the cleaned sensor now tracks with the others. That turns a guess into a result in two minutes, and it tells you whether to put the wheel back on or order a part.

Clear the code, drive a short distance, and recheck. A sensor that reads correctly and stays clear is fixed. One that drops out again needs replacing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can cleaning an ABS sensor fix the ABS light?

Often, yes. Brake dust and metal filings on the magnetic sensor tip or the tone ring can kill the signal, and cleaning them restores it.

What should I use to clean an ABS wheel speed sensor?

Use brake cleaner with a soft brush or a clean rag. Never use a wire brush or a screwdriver on the sensor tip.

Should I clean the tone ring too?

Yes. The tone ring behind the hub is often packed with rust and debris even when the sensor itself is fine.

When will cleaning not fix the problem?

Cleaning will not help a cracked sensor body, a chafed wire, or a tone ring with missing or broken teeth. Those parts need replacement.

Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more help on your vehicle.

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