How to Replace the Wheel Speed Sensor in a Dodge Caravan

A critical component of the anti-lock brake system in your 1996 to 1999 Dodge Caravan is the wheel speed sensor. These small devices attach to each wheel on your vehicle and measure the rate of rotation of that wheel. They then send a signal to the ABS control module for proper ABS function. A failing wheel speed sensor adversely affects the ABS, threatening your safety in emergency situations.

Instructions

Removal of the Rear Wheel Speed Sensors

1

Park your Dodge Caravan on a level surface, activate the emergency brake and place blocks behind the back tires for safety. Disconnect the negative battery cable with a terminal puller.

2

Raise the vehicle on the side of the wheel speed sensor's location. Remove the wheel and tire assemblies.

3

Pull the speed sensor cable grommet through the hole in the Caravan's floor pan, without pulling on the speed sensor wiring. Then pull the wiring harness through the same hole.

4

Disconnect the speed sensor wiring connector from the wiring harness without damaging the pins on the connectors. Inspect the connectors for damage and replace if necessary.

5

Remove the speed sensor wiring from the rear brake flex hose routing clip. If you observe damage to the routing clips, the brake flex hoses will require replacement.

6

Add the removal of the speed sensor cable grommet from the axle flange, brake tube clip and routing clip from the track bar bracket on the axle if you're replacing the rear speed sensor on the right side of the vehicle.

7

Detach the two rear speed sensor cable/brake tube routing clips. Unclip the speed sensor cable from the routing clips on the rear brake tube.

8

Unscrew the mounting bolt for the speed sensor head from the rear bearing. Pull the wheel speed sensor hear from the rear bearing and remove the sensor from the vehicle.

Install the New Rear Wheel Speed Sensor

9

Push the speed sensor head into the rear wheel bearing assembly gently. Verify that the plastic, anti-rotation pin sits fully in the wheel bearing flange. Torque the speed sensor mounting bolt to 105 inch pounds (12 Nm).

10

Check that the air gap between the face of the speed sensor and the top of the tone wheel is less than 0.047 inch (1.2 mm).

11

Route the speed sensor cable underneath the brake tube. Secure the speed sensor cable and the brake tube to the rear axle with the two routing brackets.

12

Place the speed sensor cable in the rear brake flex house routing clips. If you're installing the right rear speed sensor, install the cable grommet onto the rear axle brake flex house bracket.

13

Connect the speed sensor to the wiring harness, seating in fully into the harness and locking it into place. Thread the sensor cable grommet through the wiring access hole in the vehicle's underbody, seating it fully into position.

14

Replace the tire and wheel assemblies. In a star pattern, tighten the lug nuts halfway. Repeat the star pattern and torque the lug nuts completely to 95 foot pounds (129 Nm).

15

Lower the vehicle safely and reconnect the negative battery cable. Refer to your owner's manual to perform an ABS system check to confirm that you installed the sensor properly.