This procedure covers removal and replacement of the rear ABS wheel speed sensor on a 2012-2018 Jeep Wrangler JK with 3.6L V6 engine.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Rear ABS wheel speed sensor × 1 — Mopar 68080241AB or equivalent
• Sensor mounting bolt × 1 — Use OEM specification if damaged

Preparation

1. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
2. Place wheel chocks in front of front wheels
3. If clearing codes, connect OBD-II scan tool and note fault codes before starting work
4. Loosen rear wheel lug nuts 1/4 turn while vehicle is on ground

Procedure

1. 1

   Raise and support vehicle
   Raise the rear of the vehicle using a floor jack at the rear differential or frame rail. Support vehicle with jack stands under the frame rails behind the rear axle. Remove the rear wheel on the side requiring sensor replacement.
2. 2

   Locate the ABS wheel speed sensor
   The rear ABS sensor is mounted on the rear axle housing near the brake backing plate. The sensor head inserts into the axle housing and reads the tone ring on the axle shaft. Identify the sensor body and follow the wire harness toward the chassis.
3. 3

   Disconnect sensor electrical connector
   Follow the sensor wire from the axle housing to the electrical connector, typically located near the frame rail or body mount. Press the connector lock tab and pull the connector halves apart. If connector is corroded, spray with electrical contact cleaner and allow to dry before disconnecting.
4. 4

   Remove wire harness routing clips
   Note the exact routing of the sensor wire for reinstallation. Remove any plastic clips or ties securing the sensor wire to the axle housing, brake line, or chassis. The wire must be clear of the brake components, suspension, and driveshaft. Take a photo of the routing if necessary.
5. 5

   Remove sensor mounting bolt
   Using a 10mm socket or wrench, remove the single bolt securing the ABS sensor to the axle housing. If the bolt is corroded or seized, apply penetrating oil and allow to soak for several minutes. Do not force; drilling out a seized bolt may damage the housing threads.
   ⚠Bolt may be corroded from road salt exposure; apply penetrating oil if resistance is felt
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Extract sensor from axle housing
   Carefully pull the sensor straight out of the axle housing bore. If sensor is stuck due to corrosion, gently twist while pulling. Do not pry against the axle housing or brake components. The sensor tip should slide out with the O-ring attached. Inspect the bore for debris or corrosion.
   ⚠Do not allow sensor tip to contact or damage the tone ring inside the axle housing
7. 7

   Clean sensor mounting area
   Use a wire brush to clean the sensor mounting surface on the axle housing and the mounting bolt hole area. Remove any rust, dirt, or old sealant. Inspect the bore where the sensor inserts; it should be clean and free of metal shavings or debris. Clean with contact cleaner if needed.
8. 8

   Prepare new sensor
   Remove the new sensor from packaging and verify it matches the old sensor. Check that the O-ring is properly seated on the sensor body. Apply a thin coat of dielectric grease to the O-ring to ease installation and provide corrosion protection. Do not use petroleum-based lubricants.
9. 9

   Install new sensor
   Carefully insert the new sensor straight into the axle housing bore until it seats fully against the mounting surface. The sensor tip must be properly positioned near the tone ring without touching it. Align the mounting hole and hand-thread the mounting bolt to verify proper seating.
   ℹ️Sensor must seat completely flush; gap between sensor and housing indicates improper installation
10. 10

    Torque sensor mounting bolt
    Using a torque wrench, tighten the sensor mounting bolt to specification. Do not overtighten as this may crack the sensor body or strip the aluminum axle housing threads. Verify the sensor is seated flush against the mounting surface after torquing.
    Torque spec

    Mounting Bolts31 Nm (23 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Route sensor wire harness
    Route the sensor wire following the exact path of the original installation. Secure the wire with the original clips or new zip ties, ensuring clearance from brake components, suspension parts, exhaust, and driveshaft. The wire must have slack to allow for suspension movement but not hang low enough to contact road debris.
12. 12

    Connect electrical connector
    Apply dielectric grease to the terminals inside both halves of the electrical connector to prevent corrosion. Push the connector halves together until the locking tab clicks into place. Tug gently on both sides to verify the connection is secure.
13. 13

    Reinstall wheel and lower vehicle
    Reinstall the rear wheel and hand-tighten all lug nuts. Lower the vehicle until the tire just contacts the ground but the suspension is not fully loaded. Torque the lug nuts to specification in a star pattern. Fully lower vehicle and remove jack stands.
    Torque spec

    Wheel Lug Nuts156 Nm (115 lb-ft)

Reassembly

1. Verify sensor wire routing has adequate clearance during full suspension droop and compression
2. Ensure all wire routing clips are securely fastened
3. Double-check electrical connector is fully locked

Verification

• Start the engine and verify the ABS warning light follows normal behavior (illuminates briefly then extinguishes)
• If the ABS light remains on, use an OBD-II scan tool to check for fault codes
• Perform a test drive at low speed (5-10 mph) to allow the ABS system to verify sensor function
• Re-scan for codes after test drive; the system should recognize the new sensor and clear previous fault codes
• Verify proper sensor operation by checking live data with a scan tool; wheel speed should register when vehicle is moving

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