One of the most common reasons why ABS and traction control lights come on is due to a faulty ABS wheel speed sensor. In this guide, you will learn how to replace the ABS wheel speed sensor on a Toyota Highlander 2014-2020. The procedure is similar for other models years as well.
Table of Contents
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What you will need
- Toyota Highlander Wheel Speed Sensor
- Lug Wrench
- Floor Jack
- Jack Stands
- Mechanic Metric Toolset
- 10mm Socket
Procedure
- Park the vehicle on the flat level surface, set the transmission in park, and turn off the ignition.
- Loosen the lug nuts of the front wheel by turning them counterclockwise using a lug wrench.
- Jack up the vehicle and support it with jack stands.
- Remove the lug nuts and carry the wheel away from the vehicle.
- Locate the wheel speed sensor at the back of the rotor.
- Remove the 10mm bolt holding the sensor by turning it counterclockwise using a 10mm socket.
- Pull the sensor out of the vehicle.
- Follow the wheel speed sensor cable and pull the cable clip out from the vehicle.
- Remove the 10mm bolts on the metal clip of the cable and pull the metal clips out from the vehicle.
- Remove the 10mm bolt on the upper wheel liner by using a 10mm socket and turning it counter-clockwise.
- Pull the upper wheel well away from the vehicle and detach the cable clip from the vehicle by pulling it out.
- Disconnect the electrical connector of the wheel speed sensor by pressing the clip and pulling the connector out.
- Connect the connector of the new wheel speed sensor by pushing it into the port.
- Reattach the cable clip into the vehicle by pushing it in.
- Line up the upper wheel well back to the vehicle and reinstall the 10mm bolt to set it into place.
- Set the metal holder of the cable to the vehicle and reinstall their 10mm bolts. Turn the bolts clockwise using a 10mm socket to reinstall them.
- Line up the lower cable clip of the wheel speed sensor to the vehicle.
- Insert the sensor into its proper orientation and reinstall the 10mm bolt to hold it in.
Once the ABS wheel speed sensor is replaced, the ABS light should reset without the need for a scanner. If the ABS light and traction control lights remain on, you will need to read the fault codes from the ABS control module.