Speed sensors are located on the wheels and, more precisely, on the hub assembly of your Ford F150 trucks. The primary function of these devices is to identify the rotational speed of the tires and send signals to the anti-lock braking system and traction control for their work.
Ford F150 wheel speed sensor problems include poor signaling, broken sensors, low truck battery, blown out fuse or relays of ABS, corrosive and dirty sensors, ECU issues, and damaged wheels.
Inspecting the sensor components and their functioning when you see an ABS warning light on and the speedometer shows unusual readings is necessary.
| Problems | Solutions |
| Poor signaling | Check wiring and truck batteries |
| Broken sensors | Change sensors |
| Blown out the fuse of ABS | Replace fuse |
| Corrosive and dirty sensors | Use a wire brush to remove dust and rust |
| Issue with ECU | Avoid driving on flooded roads |
| Metallic debris | Clean it with dry cloth |
| Damaged wheel | Inflate tires and avoid frequent off-roading |
Poor signaling
The wires run along the vehicles’ frame to connect wheel speed sensors with internal signal transfer components.
The signals are transferred in the form of a small voltage, and the receiver functions accordingly. These sense the wheel’s speed and transfer it through wires in the form of voltage.
Sometimes the signaling becomes poor because of damaged and loose wires. For example, the transferring cables may get loose and cannot supply the voltage to the engine control unit for the functioning of driver assist features.
You can face problems because of broken, frayed, and short-circuited wires. The wire produces short circuits when the insulation layer gets damaged from overheating of components.
Moreover, these can also break because of poor maintenance and their oldness. The signaling problem comes from the low battery of the truck, which can affect the transmission functions.
The incoming voltage cannot activate the driver assistance feature when batteries are dead or weak. In addition, you cannot alone deal with the wiring harnesses because of their complex system and twisting.
It is better to call the mechanic or take your Ford F150 to the service stations to replace electric wires. Ensure that batteries are not dead or weak; you can also replace them with new ones.
Broken sensors
These sensors are located on the wheel hub assembly and are at risk of breaking. The broken sensors cannot give enough information about the rotational movement of the tires.
It can disturb the driver assist features like anti-skid functioning and traction controls. Moreover, you cannot get any reading on the odometer.
The reading on the speedometer also fluctuates because of broken components. These small devices break because of their poor maintenance and bad driving practices.
The overloading of the pickup trucks puts pressure on the tires and increases the risk of their breaking.
Moreover, the problem also occurs when you drive on uneven road surfaces, which can directly impact the wheel speed sensors.
You cannot drive with broken sensors because controlling the Ford F150 on snowy and rainy roads becomes difficult. After all, tires can slip when you do not apply enough brake pressure.
Replacing the broken parts with new ones for safe driving on roads and highways is necessary. You can install them at home and call a mechanic for their correct installation and wiring connections.
Blown out the fuse of ABS
The sensors do not work or transfer signals when ABS (Anti-lock braking system) fails to perform its function. The ABS failure comes from their blown-out fuses and bad relays that restrict the flow of electric current to them.
It contains two fuses for their functioning and control of electric current. The blown-out fuse shuts down these systems, and they cannot receive any signal from the tire speed sensors.
These systems’ worn-out springs and exposed conductors cause the fuse to blow out. In addition, the problem comes from the short circuits and exposed copper wires.
Add the new fuse of the same amperage for their proper functioning and catch signals. Locate the ABS fuses, and you can identify the burnt-out ones from the brown color and shaking noise.
Take them out and correctly install the new ones with the same voltage.
Corrosive and dirty sensors
Road dust and dirt also come on the wheel sensors, making them faulty. In addition, the dirty components cause the check ABS light to come on.
The dirt from the roads accumulates on their surface because of poor cleaning and maintenance. These are metallic parts and are prone to rusting.
The dust increases the chances of rust accumulation on their surfaces. Moreover, the problem comes when you drive trucks on flooded and muddy roads.
The dusty parts also send incorrect information to the engine control module. Wipe off the dust from them using a clean and dry rag.
You can also use the wire brush to remove stubborn rust and dirt particles.
Issue with ECU
ECU stands for the engine control unit, the electronic module comprising the electric board. The signals from the wheel speed sensor move to the ABS through these modules.
These cannot transfer signals further when faulty and fails to perform their function. The failure of the control unit comes when moisture is entrapped in them.
The damaged and worn-out seals allow moisture to come inside and cause corrosion. In addition, the engines cannot function to activate the various components when their module is faulty.
The issue in the control module comes from fluctuations in voltage supply and frequent jump start. You can prevent the solder joints from moisture and rust exposure to decrease the chances of their failure.
Avoid driving Ford F150 on flooded roads because water can enter these modules and cause a malfunction in them.
Metallic debris
The tire speed sensors of your Ford F150 are made of metallic material and attract other metal objects.
The small pieces of metals bind on their rings and cause interference in signaling. The metallic particles coat their rings with junk materials, and these cannot transmit the voltages through cables.
The problem comes when small magnet particles from the roads come on their surface. The shiny sand particles can also stick to their rings.
Moreover, the brakes and rotors also contain semi-metallic particles and release them during functioning. These can also stick to the rings of these devices, and they cannot coordinate with the anti-lock braking system.
Clean them with a dry cloth to wipe off the junk, and I do not prefer to use any cleaning detergent because it enters the electric system and causes disruption.
Damaged wheels
Wheel speed sensors cannot function well when the Ford F150 tires are broken or misaligned. As a result, it cannot measure their rotational energy properly.
Moreover, the damaged tires also disturb the installation of these devices and increase the chances of their breaking.
The chances of tire wear and tear increase due to heavy hauling, excessive brake pressure, frequent braking, driving in city areas, frequent off-roading, and traveling on unpaved roads.
Inflate the tires properly and keep the air compressor with you for refilling and decreasing pressure on side walls and hub assembly.
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