How do I know if a speed sensor is still good?

Question

95 dodge avenger 2.5L V6 A/T. Is there any way to test a wheel speed sensor without taking it to the dealer or repair shop? It's an electronic sensor, so I guess that it's gotta be a way to test it or just looking at it to know if it's good or bad.
Many engine sensors you can but how do you test a wheel speed sensor?

Answer 1

The first responder is a little off...with a digital multimeter, you're looking for AC voltage, not resistance. Unplug the sensors, probe the plug, and spin the wheel, one by one, to see which wheel is generating an erroneous ac voltage...the one with lower, or no voltage is the culprit.

A wheel speed sensor is not a vss folks...

Answer 2

You would have to use an ohm meter I would guess. To accurately check it you would have to know what resistant it's suppose to have. If it shows continuity though, it's probably OK. However some sensors may have an open circuit when there heated. And if they are soaked in oil, it will change value also. That's why Dodge has a faulty code for each and every sensor on the car. And on brakes , it will till you which sensor is bad. To make life somewhat easier, so my Dodge instructor use to say.

Answer 3

If you can remove the sensor you could test it out with a DMM. Most likely it is a magnetic pick-up, so all you would need to do is hook up the DMM to the senor and run a magnetic quickly across the pick-up end of the sensor. The resistance should change if it is still good.

Answer 4

If you are refering to the speed sensor that shows vehicle speed on the speedometer, if you're speedometer works, the sensor is good, if your speedometer works part time or not at all, install a new sensor.

Answer 5

you can have the computer scanned on it but if the speedometer is working on it,then the speed sensor is good ,or at least working on it,but a scanner will give you a trouble code if the sensor is causing problems,good luck with it.