How to Replace the Wheel Speed Sensor in a Chrysler Town & Country

If you sense that the anti-lock brake system in your 1996 to 1999 Chrysler Town & Country fails to function properly, check the wheel speed sensors. These devices attach to each of the wheels on your vehicle, measure the speed of the wheel and send a signal to the ABS. Below are the steps for replacing the front wheel speed sensors.

Instructions

Remove the Malfunctioning Front Wheel Speed Sensor

1

Park your Chrysler Town & Country 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

Locate the vehicle's outer frame rail and remove the two mounting screws that secure the front channel bracket and grommet retainer.

4

Pull the speed sensor cable grommet and wiring connector through the hole in strut tower. Taking precaution to avoid damage to the pins in the connectors, disconnect the wiring harness from the speed sensor.

5

Remove the speed sensor from the steering knuckle by removing the mounting bolt and gently removing the speed sensor head.

6

Detach the speed sensor cable grommets from the retaining bracket and remove the wheel speed sensor from the vehicle.

Install the New Front Speed Sensor

7

Place the speed sensor head into the steering knuckle. Secure it in place by torquing the mounting bolt to 105 inch pounds (12 Nm).

8

Examine the air gap between the face of the wheel speed sensor and the top of the tone wheel. The air gap must be less than 0.047 inch (1.2 mm), which is the maximum allowable tolerance.

9

Secure the speed sensor wiring grommets with the intermediate retaining bracket on the strut assembly. Check that the sensor cable routes correctly to the strut assembly on the back side of the stabilizer bar link.

10

Attach the channel bracket and grommet retainer to the vehicle frame rail. Tighten the two channel bracket mounting bolts to 95 inch pounds (11 Nm). Take care that you don't pinch the speed sensor cable under the channel bracket.

11

Connect the speed sensor connector to the Town & Country's wiring harness. Securely latch the connector locking tab and seat the connector properly.

12

Thread the sensor cable and cable grommet through the strut tower hole.

13

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

14

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.