In this video I am working on a 2008 Mercury Sable with an ABS light on. It has a code for the left rear wheel speed sensor circuit. If you are not familiar with these it could send you on a wild goose chase when it comes to testing. -Enjoy!
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49 thoughts on “Ford/mercury: active wheel speed sensor – testing tips”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Cool P says:

    Changed the bearing hub and the sensor on a 2016 fusion, when testing the voltage was normal but the voltage drops quickly. Any thoughts

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Marcello Lunnardi B Santos says:

    Nice video!!

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Peter Hicks says:

    Nce demo son ,i have a Suzuki SX4 and have to do the front ones iv never seen one yet that just comes out ! /UK

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Nathan Smith says:

    so if you dont have a scope or a scan tool that can tell you if its reading the speed sensor you can test the plug by using a multimeter in the ohms setting? what is the range of ohms that the sensor is good or bad? i was wondering if there was a way to test a speed/wheel sensor to determine which one is bad when the abs light comes on the dash?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Pedro Milanese says:

    I have a ABS problem, one of the speed sensor are not receiving voltage, what i can do/test?

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 4617zamoras says:

    What autel did you use

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Indiana John says:

    Kept thinking, he needs a Dremel with a small wire wheel to get up in that hole…….

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jack Jacke says:

    It's a ford. Put it in a derby n forget about it!

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Paul Tavres says:

    Good practice for abs repair is to talk to customer if brake repair has been done recently
    Some mechanics slap a rotor on not checking for proper chopper wheel spacing if you do that it will generate a code the sensor will test ok some trouble shoot computer generated repair will have you change the computer

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Adam Trombino says:

    Do you think that the reason the ABS module shuts the circuit down, is in case of a short, and save the computer? GREAT information on this vid!

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars halleffect1 says:

    going down the diagnostic rabbit hole, my specialty.
    thanks for the tip Eric.

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Steven Nahulak says:

    Eric
    Couldn't you just disconnect the sensor and connect your scope to the sensor to see if it generate a voltage? Or because of their design, you need to have the sensor connected when testing? Thanks

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Michael O says:

    Eric please take a seat & relax, now, can you tell me why you're torn between Aluminum & Aluminium? Take your time… 😊

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Just J says:

    Could you use aluminum anti-seize on it instead of fluid film without adversely affecting the sensor? Or is fluid film enough to keep from having to break it off next time?

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Don Muscarella says:

    I’ve run into that with bulbs on fords too. Must at least cycle ignition even after repair just to get the stupid computer to activate the circuit again

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars throttle bottle says:

    I always lube and seal the hell out of everything, maybe they'll end up at a pull it yourself yard and maybe the next poor sucker will have a lucky strike with working easy to remove parts :))

  17. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars throttle bottle says:

    at least the bolt came out, I rarely get that lucky 😐

  18. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Smitty Smithsonite says:

    Hmm … that Maxiscope might be my ticket to acquiring a scope for much less than I had planned! I can deal with glitches – everything I own that's electronic is glitchy, including the truck! 😂 Great vid, btw! 👍

    Haven't seen any '08's here yet – seems my entire town has bought '03 Sables & Tauruses, lol. I had 3 customers with the same color, too! Not many left now – they're all rotting into the boneyard, one by one. My neighbor entered his in the demo derby at the local fair this year. When we stripped all the plastic off it in preparation, it revealed how cheaply made these cars are. Hard to believe they hide all that crap metal under plastic, and get close to $30 LARGE for them. Not one of FoMoCo's finest engineering examples. I see the '08's are rusting just as quick there …

    Did a compressor pulley bearing this morning for my buddy's son – '04 Grand Cherokee. I wanted to go to a warbird air show today, but gotta take care of my buddies (We'll catch the show in Glens Falls NY – no biggie). Took me 2 hours because my snap ring pliers are 20 years old. Talk about FRUSTRATING!! Clip kept slipping off – flew down underneath the electric fan 5 or 6 times when installing it, too! Shopping for new tips now, lol. Chrysler compressor is a much better design than GM ones though – didn't even need a puller Would've SUCKED trying to get a puller in there without yanking that fan assembly. Old one was WASTED. Was just about to start spitting bearings out, lol. The grease stunk bad! 162k miles, OE. His son took it home as a souvenir. 😊

    Yesterday I had to do a right lower ball joint on the trusty '86 Grand Marquis – time for a sticker. I got slid on the play at first – felt like a wheel bearing … but I saw zero movement between the rotor and knuckle. Had my wife shake the wheel, but she didn't have the arm strength to make it click. Thought I saw a little movement in the pitman arm and right outer tie rod end. Had a Moog pitman arm laying around here for the past 10 years, so I threw that in, then had the wifey run to Advance for a Moog rod end. Parts cannon! Didn't fix the problem! Had no play whatsoever at 6 & 12, prybar or by hand, loaded or unloaded – same with 3 & 6. Only had play at 2 & 8! Had my neighbor come over to shake the wheel – barely saw the play in the lower bj, but then I noticed the recessed nipple on the bottom. Bingo. Ended up being the lower ball joint. First time in 25 years I've ever seen one fail that way. The boot had a TINY tear in it, which explained the brief squirt of water the past 3 years when greasing. Turned my red Amsoil grease pink! Must've got just enough grit in there to finish it off. Was a NAPA ball joint. Only 5 years/50k miles on that one. The other 3 are NAPA ones I installed in '05 – roughly 170k on those, and all still good! Good stuff right there. 😎 I switched to the blue Amsoil waterproof grease in case that happens again – might buy me a few months. 😁

  19. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Sean Miller says:

    If we only had a garage like this down here in pa

  20. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Kenny Patrol 2 Zero says:

    Using your Autel scope again, thought you gave that to your brother, good video I dont get to use my Autel Scope as much as I would like, its good to someone else using one, Keep up the good work Mr.O

  21. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pedro rodriguez says:

    HEY ERIC GET A BENCH BUDDY TO CLEAN YOUR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR

  22. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Donnie Robertson says:

    Great job A+

  23. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Richard 1 says:

    I have cleaned a couple of speed sensors and they started working again. Not all of them go completely dead. Great Video. Thumbs Up.

  24. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars 125 SM says:

    Good advice , nice one ! Eric O .

  25. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars richard cranium says:

    good thing to know funny how they leave that stuff out of the manuals

  26. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Felix Gange says:

    Awesome job 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

  27. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ME says:

    Thanks for the info. That info is worth a lot of money if you think about it. If people like myself use the info you provide them go to patron website and give a little to help you continue to make these types of vids.

  28. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars scuba422123 says:

    hmmm the circuit shuts down when code sets…..good tip!

  29. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars klystron says:

    The master at work thanks for sharing!

  30. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jack Bertram says:

    Your the Man.

  31. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Marcin Wojciechowski says:

    For me (and I think not only for me) you are Eric Top of the Top car specialist on YT. I learn sooooo much from your videos, which are also entertaining 🙂 Great, great work!

  32. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Leo Derosia says:

    My abs is not working on my 05 cavalier and I do not care….Just as long as junk starts, stops and go's. I think the new engine stop start will be another unnecessary money pit cluster f

  33. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Leo Derosia says:

    I wish they would make a simple reliable easy to fix car with minimal electronics…I also wish the epa nazis and their godawful emissions mandates would go away. Isn't a cat and muffler good enough? What a pita these cars must be…btw, what do independent shop owners make hourly after overhead and 40 pct fucking on parts is considered? Must be 45 a hour. A jeep stealership wanted 279 to change atf on my compass but thx to YouTube I crawled my fat ass underneath the jeep and did it myself for 24 bucks total…6qts came out in 2 trys and 6qts of maxlife went back in…I really respect Eric, Scotty Kilmer and ford tech brian…without guys like you the country would stop running

  34. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jacksonkellyfreak says:

    Eric, look into Cor-Ban 27L. We use it on airliners to prevent corrosion of the hardware and such. Be warned that the stuff is extremely nasty, and you must use gloves with it, but it works awesome

  35. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ole Eggers-Larsen says:

    Little tip: Measuring across the sensor is fine for circuit checking, but it´s easier to see the waveform if you measure from a battery plus to sensor plus. U don´t have to zoom as much.

  36. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Bill Mesker AKA billm704_mz3gt says:

    Funny enough, I have the same issue on my 2010 Mazda 3 GT Sport 2.5i sedan and had it diagnosed last Tuesday by my guys at the shop I work at. Turns out it's the drivers side wheel speed sensor. Getting it repaired this coming Tuesday and I have the same symptoms with the ABS and Traction Control being disabled. But it also had the adverse effect of disabling my cruise control as well. Not sure if it caused the same issue on this car but that's what happened to mine.

  37. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Curiosity says:

    That sensor mount should be stainless steel sleeve. Sensors should not be designed through the cast as you see here. Note to automotive engineers. Someone needs to push the automotive industry to get better at design concept and real world environmental's of electronics in the elements. You are paying for it in a new automobile and not getting it. It what it is.

  38. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars kevin edward says:

    Eric, nice video!!

  39. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Mark D. Smith says:

    Love your video's

  40. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Eric Hagler says:

    nother of dem fine fords with all dem sofissakated diageenostee procedires…. been a ford week in my shop ….damn …. too much fun for me , just one left to finish

  41. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars spelunkerd says:

    Nice to see how efficiently you verify the diagnosis, and the way you don't waste time, you drill out the broken part. I would have wasted a whole day on that repair…..