Can ABS Sensors Cause Transmission Problems?

There is a chance that a faulty sensor can cause the transmission to act oddly.

A wheel speed sensor is mounted on the hub of each wheel and can be used to report the speed of all four wheels individually.

The speed data from the sensor is used by the transmission to judge the correct gear.

If the wheel speed is reported by a faulty sensor, it would be wildly variable. In that case, the transmission can shift with jerks or not shift into higher gears at all.

What Is the Role of ABS?

The exact speed of each wheel is reported by the wheel speed sensor or the anti-lock braking system in real time.

If the wheels skid while braking, the wheel speed will be zero compared to the rear wheels. In that case, the motor of the car is actuated to prevent the tire from locking up.

The driver is given complete control of the vehicle with the help of anti-lock brakes.

He can steer away from obstacles when the car is in motion. If the front wheels were locked it would be impossible to do this.

The TCM uses the speed data from the ABS sensor to judge wheel spin and the transmission to shift gears according to the vehicle speed.

What Happens When ABS Goes Bad?

The sensors are usually located on the wheel hub where they are showered with dirt, mud, and water all the time.

Garbage reading from the sensor to the ECU can be caused by exposure to the environment, which can lead to loss of connections.

The computer mostly turns the light on or off when it gets absurd values from a failed sensor. The error code is saved for a faulty sensor to be diagnosed.

Signs Of a Bad ABS Sensor

The probable symptoms of a failing sensor are listed.

ABS or TCM Light ON

The anti-lock braking system and traction control system use the data from the wheel’s speed sensor to judge wheel skid and wheel spin.

A failing sensor can cause the lights on the dashboard to light up due to the unrealistic or garbage speed values that the sensor outputs.

Transmission Shifting Improperly

A faulty or failing ABS sensor can cause the transmission to shift gears aggressively.

The transmission can’t decide if the right gear is for the vehicle because of a bad wheel speed sensor.

It can cause the engine to stall, cause the transmission to lock up in the first gear, or cause the transmission to shift gears with strong jerks.

This behavior can damage the transmission if the sensors are not replaced promptly.

Wheel Spin

If you’re experiencing wheel spin on the road, or the vehicle doesn’t seem to be under good control while turning on slippery surfaces, you might want to think about what you’re doing.

If that is the case, your traction control system is not kicking in on time. A faulty wheel speed sensor can cause this, as well as send incorrect speed data to the traction control module.

Wheels Skidding

Under heavy braking, the tires can lock up if the brakes aren’t working correctly. This results in the loss of steering control, which can be dangerous in some situations.

There is a possibility that this can be caused by the failing speed sensor.

Where Is the ABS Sensor Located?

Abs sensors are located on the inner side of the wheel hub on the vehicle’s side.

Lifting your car or turning your tire in one direction will allow you to get better access to the wheel speed sensors.

Is It Possible to Drive with a Bad ABS Sensor?

Many drivers assume that driving with a failing sensor doesn’t pose a risk, but a bad sensor can become a safety hazard. I don’t recommend driving a car with a broken sensor.

The loss of car control is possible if the sensor fails. If the car’s anti-theft system isn’t working, the owner should have a mechanic inspect it.

Is It Possible for a Bad ABS Sensor to Cause Limp Mode?

The transmission won’t go into limp mode most of the time because of a malfunctioning sensor. The transmission module can force the limp mode on some car models.

It’s a good idea to have a professional technician look at your car. There could be other issues with the vehicle that the owner has not identified.

Conclusion

A broken wheel speed sensor can cause problems in the transmission. It’s important to never ignore the warning lights.

You should diagnose the problem if they show that something isn’t right with the car.