DTC C0050 RR Wheel Speed Circuit Malfunction. Chevrolet Prizm 1998

For 1990-2009 cars only

Makes 🢒 Chevrolet 🢒 1998 🢒 Prizm 🢒 Brakes 🢒 Antilock Brake System 🢒 DTC C0050 RR Wheel Speed Circuit Malfunction

ABS Components
Antilock Brake System Schematics

Circuit Description

The Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) receives a voltage signal from the right rear wheel speed sensor through terminals 15 and 16. As a toothed reluctor wheel ring passes by the wheel speed sensor, changes in the electromagnetic field cause the wheel speed sensor to produce a small AC voltage signal. This signal's frequency is proportional to the wheel speed.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

•	DTC C0050 will set when the EBCM detects an open, a short to voltage, or a short to ground in CKT 882 or CKT 883.

•	DTC C0050 can be set anytime.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

•	A malfunction DTC stores.

•	The ABS disables.

•	The ABS warning indicator turns ON.

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

Inspect for the following when diagnosing this part of the Antilock Brake System (ABS):

•	Faulty electrical circuits between the right rear wheel speed sensor and the EBCM. These faults include the following:

-	Open and or high resistance

-	Short to voltage

-	Short to ground

•	Faulty right rear wheel speed sensor (out of range resistance).

An intermittent malfunction is most likely caused by a poor connection, a rubbed thorough wire insulation, or a wire that is broken inside the insulation.

If the ABS indicator lamp is ON only during humid conditions (rain, snow, vehicle wash), thoroughly inspect the speed sensor circuitry for the right rear wheel for signs of water intrusion.

Inspect the harness connectors for the following conditions:

•	Backed-out terminals

•	Improper mating

•	Broken locks

•	Improperly formed or damaged terminals

•	Poor terminal to wiring connections

•	Physical damage to the wiring harness

Test Description

The number(s) below refer to the step number(s) on the diagnostic table.

The Diagnostic System Check must be the starting point for any ABS related diagnosis.

Tests for wheel speed sensor internal resistance for proper values.

Tests for wheel speed sensor circuits shorted together.

Tests for a shorted to ground in CKT 883.

Tests for a short to ground in CKT 882.

Tests for a short to voltage in CKT 883.

Tests for a short to voltage in CKT 882.

Tests for an open or high resistance in CKT 883.

Tests for an open or high resistance in CKT 882.

Tests for a poor connections at electrical connectors.

Determines whether the condition is intermittent and not due to a faulty EBCM.

Important: Wheel speed sensor resistance increases with an increase in sensor temperature.

When measuring for a short to ground in a wheel speed sensor wiring circuit manually switch to J 39200 (Digital Multimeter) to the Meg-Ohms range. This will ensure a high resistance short to ground can be found. See J 39200 owners manual.

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

Was the Diagnostic System Check performed?

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Remove the rear seatback. Refer to Rear Seat Back Replacement in Seats.
Disconnect the right rear wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal A and terminal B (sensor side).

Is the resistance within the range specified in the Value(s) column?

1120-2520 ohms

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 12

Disconnect the Electronic Brake Control Module (EBCM) electrical connector.
Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal A and terminal B (harness side).

Is the resistance equal to the value specified in the Value(s) column?

(Infinite)

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 13

Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal A (harness side) and ground.

Is the resistance equal to the value specified in the Value(s) column?

(Infinite)

Go to Step 5

Go to Step 14

Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal B (harness side) and ground.

Is the resistance equal to the value specified in the Value(s) column?

(Infinite)

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 15

Turn the ignition switch to ON position.
Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the voltage between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal A (harness side) and ground.

Is the voltage within the range specified in the Value(s) column?

0-1 V

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 16

Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the voltage between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal B (harness side) and ground.

Is the voltage within the range specified in the Value(s) column?

0-1 V

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 17

Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal A (harness side) and the EBCM electrical connector terminal 15 (harness side).

Is the resistance within the range specified in the Value(s) column?

0-2 ohms

Go to Step 9

Go to Step 18

Use J 39200 DMM in order to measure the resistance between the right rear wheel speed sensor connector terminal B (harness side) and the EBCM electrical connector terminal 16 (harness side).

Is the resistance within the range specified in the Value(s) column?

0-2 ohms

Go to Step 10

Go to Step 19

Inspect The EBCM electrical connector and the right rear wheel speed sensor connector for the following conditions:

•	Poor terminal contact

•

Corrosion

•

Damage

Repair as necessary. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .

Is the action complete?

Go to Step 11

Turn the ignition switch to the LOCK position.
Reconnect the right rear wheel speed sensor electrical connector.
Reconnect the EBCM electrical connector.
Turn the ignition switch to the ON position.
Connect a scan tool to the Data Link Connector (DLC).
Select Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC) on the scan tool.
Select DTC Information on the scan tool.
Select Current DTC on the scan tool.

Is DTC C0050 set as a Current DTC?

Go to Step 21

Go to Step 20

Replace the right rear wheel speed sensor. Refer to Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair the short between CKT 882 and CKT 883. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair short to ground in CKT 883. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair short to ground in CKT 882. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair short to voltage in CKT 883. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair short to voltage in CKT 882. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair an open or high resistance in CKT 883. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Repair an open or high resistance in CKT 882. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

A malfunction is not present at this time. Refer to Diagnostic Aids for additional information regarding this DTC.

Is action complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check

Test the electrical harness between the EBCM and the right rear wheel speed sensor for possible short to ground, short to voltage, or open in CKT 882 and/or CKT 883.
Inspect the EBCM electrical connector for poor terminal contact.
Repair the wiring as necessary. Refer to Wiring Repairs in Wiring Systems.
If the wiring is OK replace the brake pressure modulator valve assembly. Refer to Brake Pressure Modulator Valve Assembly Replacement .

Is the repair complete?

Go to Diagnostic System Check