Yesterday, I thought that I had a wheel speed sensor issue. When I drove my car about 4 blocks, the EBS/ABS trouble lights came on. Luckily, it was only because my parking brake was not fully released. The light came on because driving with the parking brake partially engaged can heat up your brakes, lower your brake fluid, or spin your wheels unevenly. This tricks your car's computer into thinking there is a stability or braking problem, triggering the light. If this happens to anyone, you now know the cause of the EBS/ABS lights.
Well, I was wrong. My wheel speed sensor is failing. Since I do not have a scanner, I cannot tell which sensor is failing. Auto Zone also advised me that its scanner could not identify the problem. So, I am forced to go to the stealership or my local mechanic. I thought that I would start by getting an estimate from them to replace this $48 part. I was shocked to learn that it wanted $550 ($320 parts/labor and $230 diagnostic charge). What a ripoff! I am hoping that my local mechanic can do the job for half of this. I am taking my car to him on Monday. I will report the results.
If it's a $48 dollar part then you should be able to perform this yourself once you know which sensor. If it's embedded into the wheel bearing then it will be more time consuming.
My mechanic diagnosed the problem- low voltage not a wheel speed sensor. Apparently, my 18-month old Bosch glass-mat AGM battery had a bad cell. This low voltage condition was the cause of all the trouble lights (i.e., ABS, EBS, traction control, brake and service engine soon) lighting up on my dashboard. I was probably the cause of the problem because I don't drive my SRT that often and, when I do, only for short trips. This does not give the battery enough time to fully recharge. A weak battery can make your dash light up like a Christmas tree when it can't power all of its electronics. I found this interesting article describing how a battery degrades by only driving short trips: "Insufficient recharging cycles: – Car batteries recharge primarily when the engine runs. Short trips often last less than 20 minutes. According to a study by the American Automobile Association (AAA) in 2019, most car batteries require at least 30 minutes of driving to achieve a significant recharge. Thus, frequent short trips can lead to incomplete recharges, allowing the battery to deplete more quickly over time. Increased wear on battery components: – Batteries consist of lead and other materials that can degrade when not properly maintained. A study published in the Journal of Power Sources in 2021 found that repeated short trips can accelerate sulfation. Sulfation occurs when lead sulfate crystals form on the battery plates. This process reduces the battery’s capacity and lifespan. Damage from temperature fluctuations: – Batteries are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Short trips may not allow adequate time for the engine and battery to stabilize. A report from the Battery University in 2018 noted that heat can cause evaporation of the electrolyte solution, while cold weather can lead to sluggish performance. The erratic use of the vehicle can exacerbate this issue, leading to premature battery failure. Given these points, frequent short trips can significantly impact the longevity and efficiency of your car’s battery, leading to the necessity for more frequent replacements."
