ABS fault

Tiny
JPERMAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET COLORADO

had it checked for abs fault coming on every 2 or 3 times I drive it dealer said it was speed sensor / axle bad I was wondering if I could fix it myself without changing axle
Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 AT 7:15 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The sensor on these look to be part of the hub. You will have to replace the entire unit. The ABS system will need to have the codes cleared before it will work again

Check out this guide, it will show you what to do

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-an-abs-wheel-speed-sensor

See the diagrams below
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Monday, March 29th, 2010 AT 6:20 PM
Tiny
CINJAM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 55,000 MILES
Hi - My husband brought his 05 Colorado 4wd to a local mechanic for a brake job yesterday. Guy quoted him approx $1,000 to change brakes and rotors; seemed expensive. I did a net search and found that on this truck it is indeed an expensive job. Husband OKs the work. In my search yesterday, I recalled reading about a subsequent ABS light problem some had after replacing rotors and off-handedly mentioned it to my husband.

Today, mechanic calls & says brakes are done. But now ABS light is on. He's ordered a new sensor (no quote on that yet). I am so annoyed as after reading posts on the net, it seems this is kind of a well-known problem.

But my question is this: did the mechanic cause this problem? Should he have known better? I am sure he is going to try & pass the cost of the sensor (and possibly the hub if I understand other posts correctly) onto us. And I want to know if I should say "no, you caused this".

Thanks for any advice or input you may have.

Cindy
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Very known issue with the ABS sensors and replacing the rotors
it is almost impossible to replace the rotor with out damaging the sensor (yes it can be done but very hard to manage )
we usually but that up front with the customer
shop is not responsible for sensor is brake will replace for free parts on customer labor on us
good luck
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CINJAM
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you so much for the input Jack - I appreciate it.

Could you just clarify what you meant in this sentence:

Should I negotiate that I will pay for sensor and labor is paid for by mechanic?

Just want to make sure I am not out of line with anything I ask for!
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
Exactly what I meant
you pay for the ABS sensor and they replace it for you no labor charge
good luck
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THE1NONLYBANKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the exact problem on both my colorados after doing the pads and rotors. But where can you buy just the abs sensor, and how much of a pain is it to install? Do you have to pull to hub and rotor off again. Because all I can locate is the wheel hub with the sensor already on it 180-250 bucks. 500 bucks just to do a routine brake job every 50,000 (hopefully) is just crazy.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THE1NONLYBANKER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO
Brakes problem
2005 Chevy Colorado Four Wheel Drive Automatic 67000 miles

Did brake pads and rotors on two 2005 colorados, not exactly the best brake design i've ever seen. Did the job following chiltons & haynes repair manual. Now both truck have Abs faults. Through surfing forums and sites this seems to be a well-known unforgiving problem. Whats the solution? Seems like a safety design flaw to me given the fact that you almost guaranteed to mess this sensor up. And the fact that its built in to the 180-250 wheel hub is GM's way of putting dollar signs in their eyes. Thanks
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
If the ABS light is on and you just did a brake job, you need to get it scanned to see what the problem is. The wire harnesses going for ABS are very fine and can be easily broken. It may be a harness or sensor porblem. Until it's scanned hard telling what is causing it.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMBARN1977
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It appears this is a common problem when changing front rotors on a Colorado. In my case, changing the ABS wheel sensors and even bearings did not solve the problem and I suspect others have had the same experience. Does anyone out there know what happens to these things and the solution when problem occurs?
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXERMAN97
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I also replaced front rotors and pads. I didnt take the time to change the sensors when I had it apart. After driving vehicle the fault came on by odometer and the ABS light. I took the time to change the sensors. Still the lights come on. Took it to a local shop. They tested it and said both front sensors are open. Both sensors are brand new. I replaced them exactly the way they came apart. Any suggestions on what to do next? Lost in IL
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
You really need a scan tool to put the light out as well as diagnose any abs problem. If you replaced the sensors then it could be the wires leading to the sensor wire. If you note what I said the last time the wires are very fine an dcan break easily so it may be that. But it really should have a pro look at it as he has a scanner that can read abs problems. Auto parts stores don't
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FIXERMAN97
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Well I took it to a local mechanic and they scanned it and said that both front sensors were open. Being that I just replaced the sensors, and they wanted to charge me 650.00 to change the sensors I had just replaced didn't sound right to me. I find it hard to believe that both brand new sensors could be bad. I guess what I'll check next is the wires that connect to the sensor plugs. I was very delicate in reinstalling the new sensors so I don't think it could be from the plug to the sensor.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMBARN1977
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CHEVROLET COLORADO
  • 88,000 MILES
Changed front brake pads and rotors on front of an 05 Colorado. Now ABS light is on and ABS fault message on message center. Scan tool does not read any speed on sensors, Codes are C0035 and C0040. Changed left side bearing and speed sensor and cleaned right side. Still have all symtoms. What is going on with this thing?
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
First you need a pro style scanner to remove the codes, then check for air gap, right speed sensor for wheel bearing as there are several and rust buildup.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JIMBARN1977
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have a Genisys 5.0 scan tool. This isn't pro style enough? What would you suggest? And, if you remember correctly we changed one side completely and cleaned the other side with no change whatsoever.
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
We don't know what people have when we say pro type scan tools. What I sent are answers that other mechanics are having similar problem s with like yours and those are tips that were given. Is there an air gap? Are the sensors good? They have very thin wires and can be broken/disturbed just by hitting them. The wheel bearing you installed is it the correct one as there are several. Here is another tip
have always just scanned ABS codes and if a speed senor was open or shorted I would just replace the bearing [and we all now how common they go bad on GMs]. Had a 05 colorado in and these new bearing and speed sensors are not together. So I replaced speed senor and still had same p040 code so I did some looking around and found out they should be replaced together[great]. Also check speed sensor signal volt at sensor these module are know to go bad. I just had one that the right sensor had no volts going to it, so its a dealer car and they don't care so I jumped power from the left and hooked it to the right [at to computer] and problem solved. Hope this helps?
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Thursday, June 13th, 2019 AT 7:40 PM (Merged)

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