How To Check Wheel Speed Sensors On Buick Rendezvous [7 Easy Steps]

Wondering how to check wheel speed sensors on Buick Rendezvous? In short, position your vehicle, find out the ABS fuse, then release the lugs from all wheels, get the two-pin connector, measure the resistance in ohms, now place the lead and finally check the voltage to make the wheel speed sensor is okay.

To learn in detail, go on reading the article. And by the end, you will also know how you can change the faulty wheel speed sensor of Buick Rendezvous like an expert. So, let’s get started…

How To Check Wheel Speed Sensors On Buick Rendezvous In 7 Easy Steps

Wheel speed sensor testing on Buick Rendezvous is nothing hard to do. You can perform its active wheel speed sensor testing with a few easy steps. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Positioning The Vehicle

Firstly, you will need to park your Buick Rendezvous with the transmission in neutral. You must set the emergency brake before proceeding to the next step.

Step 2: Find The ABS Fuse

Take a look at your Buick Rendezvous user manual. It should tell you the location of the main fuse block. Look in the main engine compartments in the glove box, or the driver’s side kick panel. 

Once you find the main fuse block, remove its lid. You will be then exposed to the ABS fuse. The filament inside the fuse must be intact. If you notice any damage you have to replace it as soon as possible.

Step 3: Remove The Lug Nuts

Remove the lugs on all four wheels. Use a tire iron to do this. To remove the lugs you have to lift the front of the vehicle first. 

Place two jack stands under the frame near the front two wheels and lift the front part of the vehicle. Lift the rear part of the vehicle in the same way. After position your car in this manner you can remove the lugs easily. 

Step 4: Find The Two-Pin Connector

Now you will need to find the two-pin connector. But before you set to searching for the connector make sure to release the emergency break first. 

Keep the gearshift in neutral after that. At this point sit down underneath the front wheel well. There you will find a wire coming from the CV joint or wheel hub. It looks like a small plastic box. This wire leads up through the fender well. 

You have to disconnect this wire at the jack. Just pull the wire apart with your finger. This will lead you to the two-pin connector.

Step 5: Measure The Resistance

Use a multimeter to measure the resistance in ohms. To do this you will have to place each probe of your multimeter on each pin inside of the connector. Then connect it to the end of the wire coming from the sensor. You will get an ohm reading. Note that number down.

Now have someone manually rotate the wheel hub as fast as possible while holding the probe in its place. Closely observe the ohm number now. If the ohm number changes it means that the sensor has a good connection. 

No changes on the other hand mean that there is a shorted or broken wheel sensor wire.

Step 6: Placing The Lead

In this step, you have to place the leads perfectly. This can be a tricky part. However, the following instructions can make the process easy for you:

  • Firstly, change the multimeter set to the “Volt” scale (10 V maximum)
  • Put a flying lead between the two-wire connections (probe both wire sides with the jack connected)
  • Place one lead from the multimeter on one of the flying lead
  • Place the other probe on the other flying lead

After completing this, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 7: Check The Voltage

This is the final stage where you check whether your Buick Rendezvous wheel speed sensor is okay or not. Get someone to turn the ignition key “On”. You should get a voltage reading on the gauge if you complete step 6 properly. Record the reading. The voltage should be between +5 to +12 volts.

Now rotate the wheel hub with someone’s help. If the reading on the gauge changes it means that the wheel sensor of your Buick Rendezvous is completely fine. However, if the voltage doesn’t change, it indicates that the wheel sensor is defective.

This is how wheel speed sensor testing is done. These steps are fairly easy. If you follow these 7 steps you shouldn’t have any problem performing the test even if you are new at this. 

How To Replace Wheel Speed Sensor Of Buick Rendezvous In 5 Easy Steps

If the voltage reading tells you that your Buick Rendezvous wheel speed sensor is broken then you need to replace it. However, this can be difficult if you are not aware of the proper way to replace the wheel speed sensor of your car. 

But don’t worry, here we have an easy wheel speed sensor replacement method for you. This method shows you how you can replace the wheel speed sensor of your Buick Rendezvous in 5 simple steps. Here you go:

Step 1: Get Things Ready

Place your vehicle on a level surface. Make sure to set the parking brake before proceeding.

Step 2: Loosen The Lug Nuts

Take a 1/2 inch drive breaker bar and a lug nut socket set. Use these tools to loosen the lug nuts of your vehicle. 

Step 3: Lift The Vehicle Using Jack Stand

Lift the vehicle and place it on a jack stand. Place it properly on the jack stand so that it’s perfectly leveled. After lifting the vehicle take off all the wheels and take them away.

Step 4: Remove The Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor

Now you have to remove the wheel speed sensors that you want to replace. You can detach the old wheel speed sensor in the following way:

  • Remove the brake pads and rotors
  • Remove the bolts holding the sensor on the hub
  • Remove the clips that are holding the sensor wire to the body of the car
  • Unplug the speed sensor and remove it completely

Now you have perfectly removed the old wheel speed sensor. What is left to do now is to install a new wheel speed sensor.

Step 5: Installing New Wheel Speed Sensor

Just reverse the process of removing the faulty wheel speed sensor and you are done. Here’s what to do:

  • Plugin the new connector
  • Route the harness back to its position
  • Properly secure the wires to the chassis of your car
  • Insert the new speed sensor in the hub
  • Reinstall the brake caliper bracket and the rotor

And that is pretty much all you need to do. After you have gone through all these steps, it’s time to get things back to where they were.

Attach the wheels back on and put down the car. Take it for a test drive to see if everything is working properly. If you have followed all these steps you should not face any further difficulty completing the process.

FAQ:

How Do You Diagnose A Bad Wheel Speed Sensor?

The 3 things that will tell you the wheel sensor is bad are: illuminated ABS light on the dashboard, malfunctioning ABS and illuminated traction control light.

How Do You Reset A Wheel Speed Sensor?

To reset a wheel speed sensor, get a jumper wire, find the DLC connectors, then connect the jumper to DLC. After that press down the brake pedal till you hear a click coming from the DLC area. Again press the brake 8 times within 3 seconds. If this doesn’t disable the ABS (wheel speed sensor) light, repeat the whole process. Now remove the jumper wire because you are done.

What Causes A Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor?

Wheel speed sensor mainly fails due to clogging from metallic debris, brake dirt, and penetration of harsh elements in the sensor.

What does TRAC OFF mean on a Buick Rendezvous?

TRAC OFF on Bruick Rendezvous is an indication of a service traction control system. It means that the tractions system is disabled.

Final Words:

If you were worried about how to check wheel speed sensors on Buick Rendezvous, you are probably relaxed now. This article showed you how you can make sure your wheel speed sensor is okay and what you can do if it isn’t.

So follow our simple solutions properly and fix your problems like a pro. If you have any comments you can leave them below.

Note: When you need to reset the service engine, then you can read our ultimate guide on resetting the service engine of light chevy.

About John M

John contributed as a technical head at an automobile company just 2 years after his post-graduation in Automobile Engineering. He loves to lead a free life, so he left his job & started blogging. Now, he does research on every automotive problem, part & product and seeks a better solution & best products & shares his findings with his readers to help them as well as to minimize their struggle.

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