What Does a Cars Speed Sensor Do?
Introduction There are at least two distinct speed sensors on a vehicle. The first is a magnetic signal generator that, when spun, generates an electrical pulse that is used by the computer. The speed sensor on a conventional rear-wheel-drive transmission is located in the rear tail housing of the transmission. It is driven by a gear located in the tail housing. On a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the speed sensor is located on top of the differential housing on the transmission, close to the drive axle. Transmission Speed Sensor The speed sensor is used to indicate the speed of the vehicle and for various other handling and braking systems within the vehicle. It also, in a wide variety of vehicles, controls the transmission shift points. ABS Speed Sensors The second type of speed sensor is incorporated on all vehicles that have ABS brakes. These ABS systems have a computer delegated to the ABS, a set of four speed sensors located near the wheels and an actuator downstream from the master
