GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Circuit Description

As the wheel is rotated, the speed sensor produces an alternating current (AC) voltage that increases with wheel speed. The electronic brake control module (EBCM) uses the frequency of the AC signal to calculate wheel speed. The speed sensor is connected to the EBCM by a twisted pair of wires. Twisting reduces noise susceptibility that may cause a DTC to set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

All of the following must be true for DTC C0023 to set:

    • DTC C0032, C0033, C0034, or C0035 not current.
    • Antilock brake system (ABS) not active
    • Brake switch OFF
    • The left rear wheel speed equals 0, and all of the remaining wheel speed sensors are greater than 8 km/h (5 mph) for at least 2.5 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

    • The solenoid relay opens, removing power from the pump motor and solenoids.
    • DTC C0023 is stored.
    • The ABS is disabled, ABS warning lamp turns ON.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

    • If the conditions that set DTC C0023 are no longer present, the DTC may be cleared by using the proper scan tool.
    • The DTC that has not occurred in 100 drive cycles will be cleared from history data.

Diagnostic Aids

Thoroughly inspect the wiring and connectors when diagnosing intermittent DTCs. This will include the following:

    • Removal of the protective conduit and inspection of wiring for damage, shorts and contamination
    • Inspection for improperly formed and/or damaged terminals
    • Inspecting terminal contact, retention force, by using a spare male/female terminal
    • Removal of the terminals from the connectors to inspect for proper terminal to wire crimp

If the drivers comments reflect that the ABS warning lamp is ON only during moist environmental changes such as rain, snow, vehicle wash, etc., all wheel speed sensor circuitry should be thoroughly inspected for signs of water intrusion. If the DTC is not current, simulate the effects of water intrusion. Use the following procedure. Spray the suspected area with a 5 percent salt-water solution. Then test drive the vehicle over various road surfaces such as bumps, turns, etc. above 24 km/h (15 mph). If the DTC sets then replace the suspected harness and/or sensor.

When measuring wheel speed sensor resistance insures the vehicle is at room temperature, since resistance will increase with temperature.

Failure to perform the previous steps carefully and fully can result in misdiagnosis, unnecessary component replacement, and reoccurrence of DTC C0023.

Step

Action

Values

Yes

No

1

Did you perform the Diagnostic System Check-ABS?

--

Go to Step 2

Go to Diagnostic System Check - ABS

2

  1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  2. Inspect the left rear wheel speed sensor, jumper harness, and toothed ring for physical damage.

Is any physical damage noted?

--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 4

3

Repair the damage to the left rear wheel speed sensor, jumper harness, and/or toothed ring.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

4

Was DTC C0034 set as a current or history code?

--

Go to DTC C0034

Go to Step 5

5

  1. Connect a scan tool and select data list.
  2. Monitor the wheel speed sensors.
  3. Test drive the vehicle above 24 km/h (15 mph) and slowly decelerate to 0. Do this several times.

Did DTC C0023 reset or did the left rear wheel speed suddenly drop to 0 prior to the vehicle coming to a complete stop?

--

Go to Step 7

Go to Step 6

6

DTC C0023 is intermittent. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

System OK

--

7

  1. Turn the ignition switch OFF.
  2. Raise and suitably support the vehicle.
  3. Disconnect the electronic brake control module (EBCM) harness from the EBCM.
  4. Connect a voltmeter to EBCM harness terminals A3 and A4.
  5. Select the AC mill volt scale.
  6. Spin the left front wheel while observing the voltmeter. The voltage should increase as wheel speed increases.

Does the AC voltage measure more than the specified value?

100 mV

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

8

Replace the EBCM.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

System OK

--

9

  1. Disconnect the left rear jumper harness from the left rear wheel speed sensor.
  2. Important: Resistance will vary with temperature.

  3. Connect an ohmmeter to terminals 1 and 2 of the left rear wheel speed sensor.

Does the resistance measure within the specified value?

800-1600 ohms

Go to Step 11

Go to Step 10

10

Replace the left rear wheel speed sensor.

Did you complete the replacement?

--

System OK

--

11

  1. Verify the left rear jumper harness is still disconnected from the left rear speed sensor.
  2. Connect a voltmeter to terminals 1 and 2 of the left rear wheel speed sensor.
  3. Select the AC mill volt scale.
  4. Spin the left rear wheel while observing the voltmeter. The voltage should increase as wheel speed increases.

Does the AC voltage measure more than the specified value?

100 mV

Go to Step 12

Go to Step 10

12

  1. Disconnect the left rear jumper harness from the ABS body harness.
  2. Verify the EBCM harness is still disconnected from the EBCM.
  3. Connect an ohmmeter to EBCM harness terminals A3 and A4.

Does the resistance measure OL, open circuit?

OL (Open Circuit)

Go to Step 14

Go to Step 13

13

Find and repair the short between the 2 circuits.

Did you find and correct the condition?

--

System OK

--

14

  1. Verify the EBCM harness is still disconnected from the EBCM.
  2. Verify the left rear jumper harness is still disconnected from the ABS body harness.
  3. Connect an ohmmeter to EBCM harness terminal A4 and then to ABS body harness terminal 1.

Does the resistance measure less than the specified value?

2 ohms

Go to Step 16

Go to Step 15

15

Repair the open or high resistance between terminals A4 and 1.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

16

  1. Verify the EBCM harness is still disconnected from the EBCM.
  2. Verify the left rear jumper harness is still disconnected from the ABS body harness.
  3. Connect an ohmmeter to EBCM harness terminal A3 and then to ABS body harness terminal 2.

Does the resistance measure less than the specified value?

2 ohms

Go to Step 18

Go to Step 17

17

Repair the open or high resistance between terminal A3 and 2.

Did you complete the repair?

--

System OK

--

18

  1. Replace the left rear wheel speed jumper harness.
  2. Test drive the vehicle at various speeds and road surfaces.

Did DTC C0034 reset?

--

Go to Step 8

System OK