Volvo S80 ABS Speed Sensor Wire Cut / Severed

[Jimmaay]

Okay so recently I was driving my 1999 Volvo S80 T6 and I hit a speed bump at a moderate speed. The ABS and DSTC light came on-I'll check it later. Later came and I popped off the front wheels to check the speed sensors because it better not be the stupid abs module. Basically I found out that the sensor is there and it's plugged in but the middle of the wire is completely gone. No freaking clue how the hell this happened. A large part of the middle is gone as shown in the picture, and the sensor+connector still has part of the wire attached to it.

Excuse the rust. Anyway I'm just wondering if I can just solder some wire between both of them. Because the full speed sensor is around $100-150. Would it matter the gauge of the wire? Normal heatshrink should be fine right?

Next time I hit a speed bump and the abs light comes on. I'll probably stop and get out to find some wires on the ground. Save some money.

On a last note anyone know weak points in the EVAP system? I got a P0455 Large Evap Leak and just want to see if I can find it before having to smoke out the system.




Thanks for any help.

[chrism]

If I couldn't find another wheel sensor at a reasonable price, then I'm the type to try soldering in a splice with shrink tubing as you suggest. As far as the gauge, I don't know how sensitive the system is to changes in resistance, but I would try to find as close to the same gauge as possible - slightly larger gauge if I couldn't nail it exactly.

As far as the evap system leak, have you checked out the gas cap for possible leakage (bad seal) or maybe not screwed on straight?

[rmmagow]

I tried to do this with a broken wire on my truck and it just plain didn't work. I had to put in a new sensor wire. Be sure the mounting point on the hub isn't too rusty. Block the hole and hit it with a little sand paper before putting in a new sensor and wire.

[Jimmaay]

I forgot I posted this. Anyway for anyone having the same problem with any car. Take out the two parts of the speed sensor. Then buy some wire without ground (2 wire) >= gauge then the speed sensor wires and either solder it together and shrink heatshrink on it or twist it and tape it together (I did this). Make sure the same colored wires are connected to each other and test with a multimeter for continuity. After that stick it back in, compressed air inside the sensor slot as there will be debris in the way that won't allow a completely flat sensor. Stick it back in and your Traction control light will go out when you turn on the car. Drive a bit and the ABS light will go out after as well. Saves you $200 that my Volvo dealership charges, don't buy it; fix it. It took me 15 minutes $6 for wire and electrical tape to fix this.

With the evap leak I smoked out the system using some fog machine off ebay and found an unconnected hose. Symptoms of an evap large leak will be intermittent gas cap loose warning and lots of gasoline fumes when you start this car.

If you have a Volvo S80 T6 change the transmission fluid every 30,000KMs with Dexron VI and your transmission will last forever. Mine does at least.

Thanks for the input guys.

[jimmy57]

I have a suggestion: go to electronics store like Radio Shack/The Source and buy test lead wire. Test lead wire is designed for flexing and has maybe double the wire strands with each strand being half the size. Thin strands tolerate flexing. Do the splicing behind the attaching points so the flexing does not involve your solder points. This wire with those splice locations will last the life of the car.