No Sensor Signal After Testing!? Don't Get Burned On Newer ABS Wheel Speed Sensor Diagnosis

We've all been there, right? In the middle of a diagnosis and suddenly nothing makes sense?! That known good you were looking at suddenly no longer works...what happened? In this video I share a story of this exact thing happening on an ABS wheel speed sensor diagnosis on a 2009 Buick Enclave. Enjoy!

[@sethhamre1120]

I had no idea about the key off for 20 seconds!!! This has been driving me nuts! THANK YOU!!

[@labradormcgraw]

Great tip! It's actually these little things that can turn a simple job into an unnecessary marathon. Thank you.

[@GoTechTraining]

For sure! That's exactly what i'm trying to keep others from ;) Thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@kc360awareness]

Love it. Thanks for the quick tip. Have had similar experiences with a taillight circuit on a Chrysler Town & Country. The system wouldn’t power the light assembly after a repair until the code was cleared.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Kevin, thanks for watching! Ahhh yes, code clear is always a good first start if things aren't making sense. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@throttlebottle5906]

Chrysler, reset by sending to crusher and buy a new one LOL

[@cpcoark]

Great information. Been out of car repairs for awhile and info like this helps to show me I can't take any old knowledge for granted.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Ww_big_al, thanks for watching! I like to think of knowledge like my tool box. It's sitting there, full of tools. The more I invest, the more efficient I become. Sure I don't use every tool every day, I haven't used some tools in years...but I keep them around, like older knowledge cause you just never know when its needed. Anyways...thanks for watching :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@davidcortes2576]

Hi Mike, nice to see you again, don't miss us!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey David, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@donjohnston1104]

I don't know about that perticular car but a lot of the gm cars that and sensor is polarity sensitive. If you are using the jumpers and get one turned around you will have the same results. Just thought I'd throw that out there. Thanks for taking the time to put out the videos. Great info in them.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Don, thanks for watching! Yes, these are polarity sensitive, hooked up backwards they don't do anything. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@mikeburton1733]

Great Tip Mike. Good to know that ahead of time for sure. Shop is looking really good too. So jealous.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Mike, thanks man! It's getting there, slowly but surely. I picked up the steel for my ceiling last night...hoping to have that up and the walls painted in the next few weeks. It's getting cold...winter is coming! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@SmittySmithsonite]

​@@GoTechTraining - I'm jealous of your walls, insulation, and ceiling - I have none of that in my shop. 🤣 I have a face-melting waste oil burner that I built myself (even the stove itself), and that keeps things nice ... but boy does that thing guzzle oil! I can't generate enough in a year to keep it fed all winter long.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hahahah Lots of work and $$$...but it'll be worth it in the end! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@professorlanguagepartners3112]

Great video as always. Just to throw in my two cents... I had the wss harnes go dead on a 2009 Toyota and to "wake up" the circuit all I had to do was cycle the ignition.

[@exmotorsports]

Fantastic Tip Mike...Could only imagine someone freaking out when they go to swap the right harness back to the right sensor only to find it no longer works now too. 🤣🤣 The Shop is looking good Bro. Nice 😎👍🍻🍻

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Kevin, thanks man! Yeh, that was me!!!! I was like "oh *bleep* what did I do?" Thanks, the project is coming along. Got a lot to do in the next 30 days or so...it's getting cold and I need a ceiling, insulation and a furnace yet ;) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@exmotorsports]

@@GoTechTraining Yikes, Better get on that soon Bro. I know you get those cold harsh winters there. It can make it really tough to be motivated to work on something when you can't move those frozen fingers. Not to mention the other body parts that dislike the cold as well..Especially in those yoga pants. 🤣🤣 Stay warm my brother. Cheers

[@JoesAutoElectric]

Great video and information. Very easy to overlook a key cycle during diag.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Joe, for sure! Thanks for watching. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@throttlebottle5906]

as a fella that also does computer and networking, amongst many other things, problems? step one "did you reboot/power cycle it" LOL good old junktronics

[@billyyoder8171]

Thank you Mike. Good job. Have a blessed and safe week to you and your family.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Billy, thanks for watching! Same to you :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@SmittySmithsonite]

That's an excellent tip! Engineering like this frustrates me to no end. This stuff is difficult enough for a seasoned tech to troubleshoot, and then they design crap like this into the mix. So infuriating! I HATE the way cars are built today. Not only does my back hurt at the end of the day, but I'm also hoarse from swearing! I'd have definitely got slid by that one, no question about it. I'm not familiar with this type of system at all. I definitely appreciate the heads-up, Mike! That'll save me some BIG frustration in the future! 👍👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Smitty, thanks for watching!!! Could not agree more. I'm all for safer, more technologically advanced vehicles...but as they grow they need to share what they've done and why they've done it. If GM said "hey we keep the ABS module online for 20 seconds following power loss to supply the SRS module with wheel speed" i'd be ok with that...but I can't find that statement or anything close anywhere!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@chadcohoon8867]

Intentional shut down makes sense nice find man thanks for sharing

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Chad, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@maker9594]

Thank you if you put the link of how to do signal swapping. I think you did not include it in the description.

[@engelbertmaier2853]

Very usefull tip! Greetings from good old Germany.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Engelbert Maier, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@radioace318la]

Thanks for the heads up. I replaced the WSS on the left front of my 2015 chevy spark. Still trips code C0035 (6) Low or open. I did the 30-second reset to no avail. I removed the battery connection overnight. The next morning, no joy. I have checked the wheel barring, magnet ring, the harness connector (super clean) Car has 80k miles. I paid for a month subscription to AllData for the semantics of the ABS module. I'm using a Zurich ZR11 scan tool. I have yet to probe the connector for DC voltage with my digital VOM. That's next. Meanwhile, I will continue to drive to work and back. Any idea where to go next? Cheers from Louisiana.

[@johnnylee948]

Nice tip and thanks, for sharing your knowledge with us !

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Johnny, thanks for watching!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@worsttintentions]

Awesome tip! I thought I blew the module a few weeks ago.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Bobby, scary right? You start to go into panic mode...not a good feeling! Thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@OtoMatikWorkz]

SIR GOTECH BRING ME HERE. SALUTE SIR GOTECH.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Oto Matik Workz, thanks for watching! Hope all is well in the Philippines! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@ebuks4ever]

What scope are you using? And do you have a video on how to use a scope?

[@hm2mikeperry]

working on 06 malibu with known bad speed sensor in left front wheel. is it possible to run a jumper from the opposite wheel sensor and run that signal to both inputs on abs module to see if lights abs lights will turn off or will it split the signal and not match the rear wheels . wondered if you ever tried anything like that?

[@richardlewis7471]

Thanks for that great tip, Mike!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Richard, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@lovetolearn5253]

A BMW almost burnt me one time because of the voltage shut down. nowhere in service data or flow charts does it say that the abs module shut down the voltage. It actually says check voltage at module then short to ground if no voltage on voltage supply or short to ground then replace module. Thank god i unplugged the other side just to see what would happen and thats when i found out it purposely kills the voltage. If i remember correctly i think it detects the open the next key cycle it kills the voltage. I swear i was on the car for 2 days because the module was expensive and i didnt want to eat it.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Lovetolearn52, thanks for watching! Smart to stay on the car and not give up. Saved you the potential embarrassment of being wrong on a module. Well done! Lesson burned into your memory banks on that one, right!? Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@lovetolearn5253]

@@GoTechTraining your 100% right. Thats why i dont care to stick with a car even if i start to lose money because what i learned os worth more. For example I went to diag a fuel ratio sensor on a car for anther shop. I spent 4hrs on this car doing research and testing. The shop told me they put a oem from the dealer A/F sensor in it. After learning everything i could i told them the sensor was bad and it was. Come to find out it was a CHEAP amazon sensor. I wasnt even mad because at the time my knowledge on the sensor wasnt up to par. You better believe now it is.I

[@bluebox212]

My left rear speed sensor doesn't even show up on the scanner! All the other speed sensors show up. I replaced the left rear sensor with a new one and even replaced the will hubs with new ones, but still no left rear speed sensor. I did notice that the right rear speed sensor had 11.8 volts coming from the main harness, but the left rear speed sensor only had 11.08volts coming from the harness. Also, the right rear speed sensor has 3 wires(factory) and the left rear speed sensor has only 2 wires(factory). What can I check now? Thanks

[@chuckreed2677]

GREAT Info, that could make me chase my tail. Thanks!

[@salvadorgutierrezr5914]

Great tip Mike, thank you👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✌👋

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Salvador, thanks!!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@johnmwangi6291]

Do this circuits have a bias voltage..for circuit integrity..?

[@patelvivek4888]

Great tip 👍👍 Should we buy Doip Protocol scantool, would it be useful. And what exactly it does, is it for scanning or updating fearware.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Patel, thanks for watching! You're talking about "remote diag" tools? Where the techline or whomever can log into it and look at the car alongside? A second set of eyes on a car can really really be handy sometimes! Probably pay for itself in a few solid diags. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@williamwilkesjr.9494]

Great job Mike

[@GoTechTraining]

Thanks William!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@smms5056]

Thanks Mike 👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Sm Ms, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@themechanic6117]

thanks for the quick video

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@billloomis3907]

How did you determine the amount of key off time? I would have cleared the codes, key off then on, and proceeded with testing. Was the key off info in the vehicle repair info? Thanks

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Bill, thanks for watching! I turned the key off and waited for the live data on my scanner to time out. That told me the module shut down. It was not in the repair info anywhere. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@truth4reel]

@@GoTechTraining now that was clever

[@nicknicu1787]

Great tip Mike! 👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Nick, thanks!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@ZeroNineFilms]

I changed my speed sensor and harness an it's still not working so might be the wheel baring? Also Mines is the front right and on a chrysler 300c any tips would be greatly appreciated

[@richborzea4589]

Thanks for the tip. I did watch that previous video.

[@glennallen7129]

Hi mike! Thanks for the tip! Just asking what were the jumper wire did you use for that diag? Garage is going good!

[@neverstoplearning382]

That was a nice one. Thanks for sharing it.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey, thanks Never Stop Learning! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@weldingjunkie]

Great Video mike you should check out the Autel ultra or the auto Ditex signal generator it’s pretty cool, no swapping harnesses etc

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Welding Junkie, the Ultra is on my list...maybe next year! Thanks for watching. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@richardcranium5839]

good to know. can this be due to some air bags tied to abs and a strategy to wait in case of power failure?

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Richard, thanks for watching! That was my gut feeling too. Something to do with the SRS system. Maybe it's intended to record data for 20 seconds following a loss of power. Recording to some form of "black box" or something? Either way...it appears the manufacturer wanted ABS active for a small amount of time following a power off function. SRS makes the most sense. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@charliemagoo7943]

Whats really nice is the later models with electric steering. You lose a piece of magnet on abs sensor it reduces power steering and turns off information display for rear camera. Great safety features

[@throttlebottle5906]

@@charliemagoo7943 I'll take manual steering and brakes lol

[@paulcapel8844]

Great tip Mike, could save a lot of time and embarrassment.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Paul, thanks for watching! Yeh, for sure it could. Imagine being on the wrong end of that with a "less desirable" customer that is OF COURSE waiting impatiently hhaha! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@allanlopez2544]

Thank you for sharing great tip.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Allan, thank you for watching!!!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@wagoosh78]

thanks for sharing that, its like a fail safe mode ABS

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Wesley, thanks for watching! Yeh, you're right. It kind of is! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@branklin544]

what kind of scan tool are you using

[@ljchrzan]

I had this happen a few weeks ago. I go to test and now nothing works. It's terrible - lift goes up to set up to test then lift goes down to cycle the key then up then down then up...

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Lowell, thanks for watching! Ugh I know how that goes! Since i'm still working on my shop build I had a ladder handy, otherwise it would have been lift up-lift down for me haha! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@IAMNOSLEEP]

Thanks for sharing... Cheers.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Iamnosleep, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@PhillyDee215]

Crazy....i did a buick lacrosse today in the shop....rear magnetic bearing ring broke off....very common🙄

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Philly, yeh it is, for sure! The technology is cool and all...but not exactly robust for being under the car with dirt, salt, and metal shavings from the brakes! Who thought it would be a good idea to stick a magnet somewhere where it's going to attract a ton of junk!? Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@PhillyDee215]

@@GoTechTraining 🤣🤣🤣 I know...today's cars🙄

[@robertmobileman8304]

Nice tip thanks Rob mobile man

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Rob, thanks for watching!! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Thanks for the tip

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Hot Rod 1949, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@richardmitchell7836]

Definitely a great tip! I'll have to try to keep that tid bit stuck in my noodle thanks Mike

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Richard, thanks man! Good luck with keeping it stuck in your noodle ;) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@yanierolivera4678]

Thanks dude!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Yanier, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@Automotive_Solutions]

👍 Thanks for the tip.

[@GoTechTraining]

Thank you for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@adalbertovalencia7862]

Greeeeeaaattt Tip!!!!!!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Adalberto, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@mikechiodetti4482]

Mike, how does the speedometer get its signal if the abs shuts down?

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Mike, hmmmm good question. I think that would depend on the car/strategy. My guess would be output shaft speed sensor on the trans? Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

Nice tip Mike!!

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Bob, thanks!!!! How are you feeling? Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@haywardsautomotive6156]

@@GoTechTraining Doing better & getting stronger. Maybe in a few weeks I can have enough recovery to get back enjoying working on cars & my projects. I-I'll keep fighting & hopefully have no more setbacks.

[@danman9017]

nice tip,thanks

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Dan Man, thanks! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@gaad7938]

Makes you wonder how many other circuits have the shutdown reset timers on them.

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Ga Ad, probably more than we would think. ABS and Airbag are the 2 big ones for sure! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@zainaabdin]

Ultimate good technic...

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Zain, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@thebaldmechanichardatheari1124]

I remember years back, did a sensor repair and I still had the same code. Checked all wires everything was ok. Turns out I had to clear the code.

[@GoTechTraining]

Yeh, that'll do it! Remember that VW I was working on earlier this year? Had no wiper operation following R&R of the cowl/wiper assembly...no codes...duh, gotta close the hood. 20 minutes of my life i'll never get back. Hahha! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@ablackformula]

@@GoTechTraining That's not obvious. That'd drive me nuts! I read in my Honda Odyssey owner's manual that the gas cap door won't open unless the computer knows the electronic sliding door is closed (to avoid the sliding door ripping off the gas cap door.) Makes sense, but all things to consider when doing troubleshooting!

[@stormyyoung6344]

Thanks for the info as allways a good video

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Stormy Young, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@johnnymalicoat754]

Is that a hall effect sensor?

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Johnny, thanks for watching! This uses a magneto resistive sensor. Very similar to a hall-effect except we only see 2 wires leading to the sensor. Very similar output waveform though. Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@joachimjohan1215]

thank you!

[@hustlerforgita7538]

Kool

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Hustler Forgita, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@TonytheYorkie]

I wish it was this simple on this 2011 Prius. I'm about to just sell the car. I replaced abs sensor hub,cable,check for continuity,reset memory,recalibrated skid control ecu, checked relay and it still shows 0 for driver rear sensor.

[@keeping-up-with-pg]

🧐🤔 so patience is the key 🤦🏾‍♂️ think I got it now

[@GoTechTraining]

Ugh Pg Rated, patience and I don't mix. hahahaha! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@johnmckamy6398]

Your awesome . probably saved more headaches that Tylenol

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey John, i'll keep em' in business then...this one gave me a bit of a headache before I shot the video ;) Thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@d.d4184]

👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey D.D, thanks for watching! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@jesselyons2002]

I would have like to see you actually do the work on the camera. : (

[@GoTechTraining]

Sorry Jesse, maybe on the next one! Mike Becker, Senior Instructor

[@oscarrojas4281]

61 like 👍

[@GoTechTraining]

Hey Oscar, thanks for being one of them :) Mike Becker, Senior Instructor