1.5L I4 TurboFWDCVTgasturbo
4 active safety recalls on this vehicle — view recalls
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brakes

ABS Wheel Speed Sensor - Front

for 2021 Honda Accord 1.5L I4 Turbo · FWD
Editorial review:Chris HacklemanMaster Technician · 20+ years · Jeff MooreMaster Mechanic · 20+ years
Difficulty
Easy
Time
48 min
Tools
8
Steps
12
Expert-verified. Personally reviewed and approved by OLP's master technicians (Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — 20+ years each). Always follow the vehicle's factory service information and torque specs.

This procedure covers the removal and replacement of the front ABS wheel speed sensor on a 2018-2024 Honda Accord with 1.5L turbo engine.

Warnings

Ensure vehicle is securely supported on jack stands before working underneath. Never rely solely on a jack.
Do not overtighten the ABS sensor bolt as the mounting boss is aluminum and can strip easily.
ℹ️The ABS sensor is magnetic and may attract metal debris. Clean the sensor mounting area thoroughly before installation.

Tools required

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Parts

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Preparation

  1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
  2. Place wheel chocks behind rear wheels
  3. Loosen front wheel lug nuts while vehicle is on ground
  4. Raise front of vehicle and secure on jack stands at proper lift points
  5. Remove the front wheel on the side being serviced

Procedure

  1. 1
    Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor
    The front ABS wheel speed sensor is mounted on the back side of the steering knuckle, near the wheel bearing hub. Identify the sensor and trace the wiring harness up toward the wheel well.
  2. 2
    Disconnect sensor electrical connector
    Follow the sensor wire harness approximately 12-18 inches up into the wheel well area. Locate the electrical connector and press the locking tab while pulling the connector apart. If the connector is difficult to access, you may need to turn the steering wheel to improve clearance.
  3. 3
    Remove wire harness clips
    Release any wire harness clips or routing brackets securing the sensor wire to the knuckle and suspension components. Typically there are 1-2 clips along the routing path. Use a flat-head screwdriver or trim tool if needed to release the clips without breaking them.
  4. 4
    Remove ABS sensor mounting bolt
    Using a 10mm socket, remove the single bolt securing the ABS sensor to the steering knuckle. The bolt enters from the rear of the knuckle. Keep the bolt for reuse if it is in good condition with no corrosion or damage to the threads.
    ℹ️If the bolt is corroded or seized, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak before removal attempts.
    Torque spec
    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
  5. 5
    Extract the sensor from knuckle
    Carefully pull the sensor straight out of its bore in the steering knuckle. If the sensor is stuck due to corrosion, gently twist while pulling. Avoid using excessive force or prying tools that could damage the knuckle bore. If severely stuck, apply penetrating oil around the sensor body and allow time to penetrate.
  6. 6
    Clean sensor mounting bore
    Use a wire brush or abrasive pad to clean the sensor mounting bore in the knuckle, removing any rust, debris, or metal particles. The bore must be clean for proper sensor seating and accurate operation. Wipe clean with a lint-free cloth.
    ℹ️Metal debris on the sensor tip or in the bore can cause erratic ABS operation or false fault codes.
  7. 7
    Prepare new sensor for installation
    Inspect the new sensor to ensure the O-ring (if equipped) is properly seated. Apply a light coat of dielectric grease to the sensor O-ring and tip to aid installation and prevent corrosion. Do not apply grease to the actual sensing element or tone ring area.
  8. 8
    Install new ABS sensor
    Insert the new sensor straight into the bore in the steering knuckle, ensuring it seats fully against the mounting surface. The sensor should slide in smoothly without excessive force. Align the mounting hole and hand-start the mounting bolt.
  9. 9
    Torque sensor mounting bolt
    Using a torque wrench, tighten the ABS sensor mounting bolt to specification. This is a critical step as overtightening can strip the aluminum threads in the knuckle, while undertightening may allow sensor movement and inaccurate readings.
    Do not exceed 10.0 Nm (7.0 lb-ft). The mounting boss is aluminum and can be damaged by overtightening.
    Torque spec
    ABS Sensor Bolt10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
  10. 10
    Route and secure sensor wiring
    Route the sensor wiring harness along the original path, ensuring it does not contact any moving suspension components or the CV axle. Secure all wire harness clips and routing brackets. Verify adequate clearance through full steering lock-to-lock motion.
  11. 11
    Reconnect electrical connector
    Connect the sensor electrical connector, ensuring it clicks fully into place. Tug gently on the connection to verify it is locked. Ensure no moisture or debris is present in the connector.
  12. 12
    Reinstall wheel
    Reinstall the wheel, hand-threading all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground to prevent wheel rotation. Torque the lug nuts in a star pattern to specification.
    Torque spec
    Wheel Lug Nuts129 Nm (95 lb-ft)

Reassembly

  1. After torquing lug nuts, fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands
  2. Perform a final torque check on lug nuts with vehicle on ground
  3. Turn steering wheel lock-to-lock to verify sensor wire has adequate clearance

Verification

  • Start the vehicle and verify the ABS warning light extinguishes after a few seconds of operation
  • Use an OBD-II scanner to check for ABS fault codes and clear any existing codes if necessary
  • Test drive the vehicle at speeds above 15 mph to allow the ABS system to initialize the new sensor
  • Perform a controlled stop from 25-30 mph to verify normal ABS operation (on private property or safe location)
  • Re-check for ABS warning lights or fault codes after test drive

Related trouble codes on this vehicle

Codes that commonly send this job to the bay — tap one for symptoms, causes, and diagnostic steps.

Chasing one of these codes and not sure which part is guilty? Ask a master mechanic about YOUR car →

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More procedures for this vehicle

🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Mechanic · 20+ years. Spot an error? Use the Help link above — a human reads every report.
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