Chevy Vehicle Speed Sensor

Are you familiar with the numbers 40 and 75? These two numbers correspond to the range of speed limits presently being implemented in our country, which range from urban limits as low as 40 mph to rural limits as high as 75 mph. The speed limits actually vary from streets to streets and highways to highways, although the two are the lowest and highest speed limits noted. Now, how will you be able to know if the Chevrolet you are driving is approaching these speed limits? Of course through the speedometer! But do you know where the speedometer gets this reading?

The sensor that measures how fast your Chevy is running is the Chevrolet speed sensor. There are many different types of speed sensors used in a vehicle. In fact, many vehicles are equipped with two speed sensors that functions for two different systems. Typical vehicle speed sensors, however, are usually made up of a toothed metal disk mounted on a rotating shaft and a stationary detector that covers a magnetic coil. The detector, or sensor, is then connected to a computer on which it delivers the electrical pulses it generates as the metal teeth move past the magnetic coil. From the computer, this data is then transmitted to the speedometer or any other component that needs the said data.

In new Chevrolet vehicles, specifically on those equipped with an anti-lock braking system, two speed sensors are usually installed. The first is the engine speed sensor. This speed sensor is often mounted on the vehicle's crankshaft and is actually where the speedometer gets its data. The other type of speed sensor used in modern vehicles is the wheel speed sensor. This speed sensor, on the other hand, picks up impulses from the wheels and sends the data to the anti-lock braking system (ABS) ECU. This data is then used by the system to anticipate a condition when the wheels would lock-up.

Now, what happens if these two types of speed sensors fail or malfunctions? Nothing much, probably, in the case of the engine speed sensor. The only complication it will make is that the engine management ECU won't be able to measure the engine speed and thus you won't be able to determine how fast your Chevy is moving through the speedometer. But if the wheel speed sensor is the one that fails, then you are in serious trouble. If this happens, your ABS brakes would become totally useless as there is nothing that will tell the system that your Chevy's brake is already locking up.

So if your Chevy's wheel speed sensor is already malfunctioning, you better replace it at once with a new Chevrolet wheel speed sensor. It will also do you good if you replace the engine speed sensor once you discover it malfunctioning. Here at Parts Train, we have a wide selection of Chevrolet speed sensor both for the wheels and the engine. Should you have any question about the details of our products, please feel free to contact our well-trained customer service agents.