What is causing this build-up?

[Black03Limited]

Hey everyone, i had recently had problems with my rear speed sensor/wires, had the shop "fix" it (they couldn't find the problem, but it cleared itself up for about a month or so).

Anyway, i started noticing the ABS pulsate when it shouldn't have been, off and on. Then the ABS light and brake light came on and off occasionally. Then finally, they came on and stayed on with the CEL. Code 0500. What a surprise. Speed sensor is brand new, fluid in differential is brand new, tone ring and wires were checked by the mechanic and found to be in good shape (so they said). So i got underneath and popped the speed sensor off the differential again and i noticed a HUGE build up of grey/silver metal flakes. I am more than sure this is causing the sensor to stay on or be fooled, whatever it does.

I took a picture of the sensor so you could see how bad it is. Sorry the picture is hard to see, but there is a big pointy chunk hanging off of the end of the sensor as well as other spots on the sensor.

What is wrong in my differential? Why are so many metal flakes coming off so quickly?? Its only been just over 1000 miles since the dealer checked the tone ring and changed the fluid in the rear diff. Im kind of concerned.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

The only thing I can think off is that when they changed the diff fluid they got that on the sensor. Sometime the diff oil will have those metal chunks in it.

 

[JJsKJ]

bits of rtv can also do the same thing and mess w/ the sensor reading.
just clean it off periodically and good to go.

 

[Black03Limited]

Well i wiped the sensor clean, all lights were still on. Unhooked the negative terminal from the battery and the CEL went away, but both brake and ABS lights still on. This is really ******* me off. This Jeep would be perfect if it didnt have this annoying problem. Guess its back to checking the wires again.

 

[twack]

This Jeep would be perfect if it didnt have........

isnt that always the story

 

[Black03Limited]

isnt that always the story

heh, yup. sure is.

 

[JeepJeepster]

How long has this said sensor been 'brand new?' That sensor doesnt look new to me at all..

 

[twack]

click the little flower button on your camera. Magicly your pictures will be clear up close like that. maybe that could help

 

[Atrus]

Are you sure it couldn't be a wheel speed sensor causing the problem? I had two go out on my 2007 when it was only 1 year old. Actually, the sensors were fine; the plug on the harness corroded to nothing! That made me feel REAL warm and fuzzy about the longevity of my wiring :-(

 

[Black03Limited]

Well, by brand new, i mean it was purchased and installed just over a month ago. About the middle of February. So yeah, not BRAND new. I didnt just pick it up at the parts counter, but its new enough to where there should be no problems with it. I drive a paper route 6 days a week, about 25 miles a day. It gets real dirty under there with all the road dust/salt. Thats why it doesnt look too good.

As far as the picture, it was just a real quick pic to show how many metal flakes stuck themselves to the sensor in a months time. It really isnt important. Just suffice it to say it was a good amount.

Atrus, the mechanic suggested that, but i am getting code 0500, for vehicle speed sensor. I did not know i could get the same code for a wheel speed sensor? You are talking about one of the two front wheel speed sensors, right? I guess i will have to give them a look.


BTW: Speedometer stopped working again, too. Thats why i am focusing on the rear diff. speed sensor.

 

[twack]

sorry about te picture comment i just cant see that there are flakes thats all

 

[Black03Limited]

no its cool, i realized it was a crappy pic when i posted it. My camera *****.

 

[twack]

its all in the settings

 

[AJK381]

It is a chrylser and I know the older ones have input and output sensors in the trans too, does it shift funny? That might be another place to check. Does yours have front abs too? You can put a meter on the sensor in A/C volts and see if it's within range when you spin the tires.

 

[Searcher67]

click the little flower button on your camera. Magicly your pictures will be clear up close like that. maybe that could help

Its called MACRO....It helps the camera to focus up close.

I would also wonder as to how old that sensor really is! It looks older than brand new to me. Shouldn't be ANY metal flakes on the sensor OR in the fluid!