DanielK, what I have seen happen on this generation of Camry is that rust will build up and swell under the mounting face of the wheel speed sensor where it is bolted with a single 10mm bolt to the side of the wheel bearing. This will space the sensor out just a little too far from the ring, so the sensor needs to be removed and the rust chipped off the mounting surface underneath. If you were to watch scanner data, probably one of the wheels (usually front) would drop out to 0 mph from 3-4 mph, causing a false ABS activation and warning light. Does it act up most consistently during very gradual or light braking, rather than harder braking?

 

Thanks Joe, I appreciate the advice. You are correct, it happens as you say during gradual braking. It has never happened under hard braking.

You mention looking at a scanner. I'm sure it has been discussed here in this forum but is there a scanner that people like/recommend that can read ABS data? When I first got the Camry years ago it seemed like the only option beyond generic OBDII engine codes was Toyota Techstream for thousands of dollars. Thankfully the car has gone over 100k miles for me without ever needing a scanner.

 

No pirated Techstream advice in open posts!
Otherwise, KISS. Pull out speed sensors and clean them. Don't complicate this. Unfortunately, front are very easy to ghet out but, rear are permanent into hubs. Same time, look for kinked, damaged wires or loose connectors.
Also, make sure you do not have any aftermarket gizmo plugged into OBD2 port when driving. It may throw VSC code. been there twice.

 

I didn't say or imply anything about pirating anything, if you are referring to my post. I was hoping for advice on a scan tool that could read Toyota wheel speed sensors, or at least the ABS codes. I'll search the forum, I'm sure it has been discussed.

 

I went out to the driveway with a jack, jack stand, lug wrench, PB Blaster, and 10mm socket. I was expecting maybe 10 or 5 minutes per front wheel to clean the sensors. Soaked the sensor bolt with penetrating oil, put the 10mm socket on the bolt, applied a very small amount of pressure, and the bolt head twisted off. I then tried to pull the sensor out...not possible. The metal insert in the sensor mounting ear was deformed onto the bolt shaft, I'm guessing it was put on by a gorilla. I had to chisel that off to get at what was left of the bolt. Soaked the bolt with PB Blaster again and gave it a bunch of light taps to try and work it loose. Then vice grips. Failed. Then slotted the bolt shaft with a dremel so I could get a good grip with a flat head screwdriver. Just bent what was left. I decided against heat because the wheel bearing is right there so I ground off the protruding bolt and drilled it out and tapped some new threads. In order to get the drill in there I had to remove the dust shield. 2 of the 4 bolts holding that sheared off. The dust shield was rusted on and had to be pried off in pieces.

I figured I had nothing to lose so I went at the passenger side too. Jacked up the car, wheel off, speed sensor bolt off, cleaned the sensor, scraped and wire brushed the rust off the mounting surface, put it all back together. 10 minutes for the passenger side. 3 hours for the driver side and counting because I need to put in a new sensor as soon as I can find one.

 

Oh my! Sorry it went sidewise. I had them out several time son my 07, was no problem at all. But I live in non rust area, maybe that's why.

And yes. TN is VERY particular about pirated TIS and mods are very diligent about that. TIS and factory manuals. What you do in PMs, is not our concern.
I have not that expensive scanner from HFT and it reads ABS/brake codes. Technically, any CAN BUS/ABS scanner should.

 

I am afraid I live in a place where the roads get salt in the winter due to snow and ice. Makes life hard for us DIYers.

I appreciate the mods being diligent and hope I didn't accidentally say something I shouldn't have. And I appreciate the advice on the HFT scanner. I was leaning toward a BlueDriver but have read good things today about the Zurich scanners at HFT, they look very good for the price.

 

Yeah, for your purpose, as far as it is CAN/BUS/ABS capable, you should be good. Torque app does alots of that. There are, currently, various apps that do, pretty much, whatever. I think, one is Carista?

DIAGNOSTICS
Dealer-level electronic diagnostics (fault code checking and resetting) of all modules in the vehicle, incl. "check engine", ABS, airbag, and other manufacturer-specific systems. Requires in-app subscription. Supports some vehicles only: check Carista OBD2 supported vehicles | See what’s available for your car

Carista OBD2 - Apps on Google Play

Carista is a mobile app which empowers you to seamlessly diagnose, customize, and service your car. Just plug in your OBD2 adapter, launch the app and save time and money on dealers and mechanics. SUBSCRIPTION REQUIRED! DO NOT DOWNLOAD IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A FREE TOOL. Supports SOME models by...

play.google.com

 

I have very good experience with this scanner, https://www.amazon.com/Autel-Scanne...?dchild=1&keywords=autel+maxiap+2000&qid=1611112121&s=automotive&sr=1-1-catcorr

it works with your phone and is wireless. I bought this one for my BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, GM, Volkswagen and Toyota/Lexus. When you buy it you have free unlimited license for a brand and then you pay $21 a year for other brands. It's very good in scanning all the modules that ordinary obd scanner can't do. You can also choose Enhance OBD scan if you don't have a license for a brand but it's limited. With today's car, it's just a waste of time doing some guess work, a brand specific scanner is really important. The other day my neighbor asked for my help on the check engine light on his jeep patriot after swapping the battery, funny that a swap in battery (no or low voltage) can cause a check engine light and needs a scanner to turn it off.

 

Nice!
Just keep in mind, every time I had OBD2 dongle in a hybrid for extended time, it will, eventually, start throwing VSC/ABS code. Donno if this one will do same, but do not drive for days with dongle in OBD port.

 

Thanks for the discussion regarding scanners, good info. Back to my original topic of the intermittent VSC/ABS I wanted to wrap it up for anyone who searches through the forum in the future. After the fiasco getting the front driver side wheel speed sensor out which destroyed it in the process, I bought a new wheel speed sensor. Put it in yesterday and that is when I noticed there was a swelling of the rust and the sensor would not sit flat on the surface. Joe@martins was exactly right. I hit that spot with the dremel grinding wheel for 10 seconds, blew off all the metal dust, verified the new sensor sits flat, put it all back together and the intermittent VSC/ABS is gone. Car brakes like a champ now.

Thanks to all!

 

Amazing, how a 10 sec fix can turn into several weeks ordeal.
Well, it's over, then it's over. Say a prayer and make it a point to check on them about every other oil change.