Antilock Brake System (Except North America)

DTC C0051 (Except North America)

Circuit Description

The toothed wheel generates a voltage pulse as it moves past the sensor. Each tooth-gap-tooth series on the wheel generates the pulses. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) uses the frequency of these pulses to determine the wheel speed. The voltage generated depends on the air gap between the sensor and the toothed wheel, and on the wheel speed.

This procedure inspects for a malfunctioning wheel speed sensor (WSS), a short to ground or to voltage in the wiring, or a contact problem in a connector.

DTC Descriptor

This diagnostic procedure supports the following DTC:

DTC C0051 Right Rear Wheel Speed Circuit Range Performance

Conditions for Running the DTC

* Vehicle speed is greater than 6 km/h (4 mph) with the brake pedal not applied
or
* Vehicle speed is greater than 15 km/h (9 mph) and the brake pedal is actuated.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

* The wheel speed sensor is defective or disconnected.
* There is a problem in the wiring.
* There is a problem with a connector.
* There is a problem in the toothed ring.
* Wrong installed WSS
* Wrong sensor signal
* Signal noise via WSS

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The antilock brake system (ABS) action is disabled, and the ABS warning lamp is ON. The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) is enabled. Refer to the EBD failure matrix in ABS Description and Operation Description and Operation.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The condition responsible for setting the DTC no longer exists and the scan tool Clear DTCs function is used.

Diagnostic Aids

Be sure that the speed sensor wiring is properly routed and retained. This will help to prevent false signals due to the pickup of electrical noise.

It is very important to perform a thorough inspection of the wiring and the connectors. Failure to inspect the wiring and the connectors carefully and completely may result in misdiagnosis, causing part replacement with the reappearance of the malfunction.

Important: If the WSS signal fault input to the electronic brake control module (EBCM), the ABS warning lamp turns ON. If a sensor signal fault can be removed by the scan tool, the ABS warning lamp doesn't turn OFF. In order to turn ABS warning lamp OFF, you should drive the vehicle up to 12 km/h.


You can use the scan tool to monitor wheel speeds during a road test. Watch the wheel speeds being displayed on the scan tool to see if any of the readings are unusual, such as 1 sensor varying in speed from the other 3, a signal going intermittently high or low, etc. If this does not identify the intermittent, wet the speed sensor harness on the underside of the vehicle and perform a road test, monitoring the wheel speeds with the scan tool.

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table.
2. This step begins an examination for a defective wheel speed sensor.
7. This step tests the wiring for a short to voltage.
9. This step tests the wiring for a short to ground.
11. This step tests for an open or high resistance in the wiring.