S60 Electrics: Vehicle speed sensor

[andym1603]

Hi,
My car is a 2004 S60 2.0t
I have been getting the Abs/antiskid service warning for a few weeks now and have decided to plug in the code reader. It pulled the code P0502 which relates to,Vehicle Speed Sensor Low Input.
My question is is this sensor an Abs pick-up or is it driveshaft related.
Thank you.
Andy..

[Clan]

The car gets it's speed signal from the ABS system control unit which in turn comes from one of the wheel sensors ( left front? ) or mathematicaly worked out from all 4 on later models , so if your ABS is not working properly you can loose the speed signal ..
If you have a specific code for a wheel sensor that could well be the problem ..

[andym1603]

Hi,
An update to this thread.
As I live in the north of Scotland, I have been putting off anything major until the weather improves. It was snowing last week. I tested the front sensors best I could and made sure the plugs were clean and corrosion free. Both were okay. Put all back together and cleared the codes again. Took the car for a drive and surprise surprise the dash lit up like a christmas tree again. I did notice that just before I came to a standstill I could feel a slight judder through the brake pedal. This is when I recognised the problem, had similar on a previous Vecta (spit). Off came the front wheels and a good check of the CV joints. My thought was right, the offside reluctor ring was split. This was the culprit as the sensor was basically getting confused by the larger gap.
So it looks like a new CV joint is in order to get the brakes doing what they are supposed to do.
If you have the abs/brake service required message don't automatically assume a sensor fault, cost alone had me counting the pennies, check those toothed wheels on the CV joints.
Sorry for the long post.
Andy..

[BobS]

Hi,

Do a search for 'reluctor ring' as I seem to remember that you can get just the ring. there is a post somewhere detailing the supplier and part No.

Sorry I can't be af more help. Mabe someone remembers the part?
Bob

[Clan]

Originally Posted by andym1603

Hi,
An update to this thread.
As I live in the north of Scotland, I have been putting off anything major until the weather improves. It was snowing last week. I tested the front sensors best I could and made sure the plugs were clean and corrosion free. Both were okay. Put all back together and cleared the codes again. Took the car for a drive and surprise surprise the dash lit up like a christmas tree again. I did notice that just before I came to a standstill I could feel a slight judder through the brake pedal. This is when I recognised the problem, had similar on a previous Vecta (spit). Off came the front wheels and a good check of the CV joints. My thought was right, the offside reluctor ring was split. This was the culprit as the sensor was basically getting confused by the larger gap.
So it looks like a new CV joint is in order to get the brakes doing what they are supposed to do.
If you have the abs/brake service required message don't automatically assume a sensor fault, cost alone had me counting the pennies, check those toothed wheels on the CV joints.
Sorry for the long post.
Andy..

You can get just the sensor ring part 9466017

[andym1603]

Final update on this problem. It is now sorted all it took was a new CV joint. This took about 1.1/2hrs to do and has returned the brakes to normal. One thing I did discover was that since this had been going for some months the MIL light had come on in sympathy with the ABS warning light. However once I reset the codes the dashboard has been clear.
Now to order a new reluctor ring so I can have a spare joint for the next time.
Happy motoring.
Andy..

[Dynosaur]

Most of the time, it's caused by a loose driveshaft bolt (which also gets you axle ping).
Fit the rubberised XC90 replacement and you won't get the problem again.

[andym1603]

Hi,
This was almost definately rust related
At the top of the ring you can see the crack. Not a big one but enough to confuse the ABS. I checked the driveshaft bolts when the fault first appeared. The CV kit I got had everything required New circlip, bolt (no rubber insert), gaiter, 2 x grease and those awful metal retaining straps. It was made by Sportec Automotive and comes with a 2 year or 24000 mile guarantee. Very impressed.
Aplogies for the poor picture.
Andy.

[Dynosaur]

Yeah, that'd do it.