Code
C0038
Generic
C — Chassis
Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Supply
Views:
UK: 21
EN: 40
RU: 27
AI status
Completed
Completed
100%
Causes
- Damaged or corroded connector at left rear wheel speed sensor
- Broken, pinched, chafed, or shorted wiring between sensor and ABS/BCM
- Faulty left rear wheel speed sensor (open/shorted or failed electronics)
- Loss of reference supply or ground from ABS control module (blown fuse, bad ground)
- Faulty ABS/traction control module or internal driver circuit
- Intermittent connection due to water intrusion, bent terminal, or poor crimp
Symptoms
- ABS warning lamp and/or traction control/ESP light illuminated
- ABS or traction control may be disabled or operate in degraded mode
- Possible braking pulsation or reduced ABS function during stops
- Inconsistent or zero wheel speed reading for left rear on scan tool
- Cruise control or stability control may be disabled
- Intermittent faults that can come and go with wheel movement
What to check
- Read freeze frame and live data with a scan tool — note left rear wheel speed value vs other wheels
- Visual inspection of left rear sensor, harness, and connector for damage, corrosion, or water
- Wiggle test harness and connector while monitoring live data for intermittent changes
- Check ABS/BCM fuses and module grounds related to sensor supply
- Back-probe the sensor connector to check reference supply voltage and ground at rest and while rotating wheel
- Measure sensor resistance (for passive sensors) or output signal with wheel rotation
Signal parameters
- Active (Hall/3-wire) sensors: reference supply typically ~5 V (±0.5 V). Signal toggles between ~0.5–4.5 V with wheel rotation.
- Passive (2-wire) sensors: coil resistance commonly ~500–2,000 ohms (varies by make). Open circuit: >>10 kΩ.
- Passive sensor AC output: small mV–V AC that increases with wheel speed (e.g., 0.2–1.5 VRMS at low speeds; higher at speed).
- Expected signal frequency proportional to wheel speed: ~tens to hundreds of Hz depending on vehicle and speed.
- Short to battery: near battery voltage at sensor signal pin; short to ground: ~0 V at signal/reference pin.
Diagnostic algorithm
- Safety: Park on level ground, chock wheels, set parking brake. Use jack stands if wheel removal is required.
- Scan tool: Read and record codes and live wheel speed readings. Confirm C0038 present and look for related ABS/traction codes.
- Visual: Inspect left rear sensor, tone ring, harness, and connector for physical damage, contamination, or missing teeth on tone ring.
- Wiggle Test: With ignition on (engine off) or as directed by scan tool, wiggle harness and connector while monitoring left rear wheel speed value for intermittent changes.
- Power & Ground: Back-probe sensor connector. With ignition on, verify reference supply voltage (typically ~5 V) and a good ground. If no supply, inspect fuses and module power/ground.
- Resistance/Continuity: With connector disconnected, measure sensor resistance (passive) and compare to spec. Check continuity from sensor pins to ABS module pins, and check for short to ground or battery.
- Dynamic Output: Spin the wheel (lift vehicle safely) and observe sensor output on oscilloscope or scan tool. For active sensor expect square/pulse; for passive expect AC waveform whose amplitude increases with speed.
- Isolate: If wiring and supply are good but no proper signal, replace the left rear sensor. If a known-good sensor still fails, suspect wiring harness or ABS module driver.
- Repair: Repair or replace damaged wiring, connector, sensor, or blown fuse. If ABS module is suspected after wiring and sensor checks, consult manufacturer procedures for module testing/replacement.
- Verify: Clear codes, perform a test drive and re-scan to ensure code does not return and the left rear wheel speed reads consistently with other wheels.
Likely causes
- Corroded connector or water intrusion at the sensor harness
- Open or short in the sensor supply wire caused by suspension movement
- Failed wheel speed sensor (common on high-mileage vehicles)
- Blown ABS power fuse or bad module ground
- Internal ABS module supply/driver fault (less common)
Fault status
Status
Left Rear Wheel Speed Sensor Supply: circuit fault detected (open/short/intermittent or supply/ground failure) causing invalid or missing left rear wheel speed input to ABS/traction control module.
Repair difficulty: Medium
Diagnostic time: 0.5-2.0 hours
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