Mazda MX-5 Miata / Grand Touring. Manual - part 23

FRONT ABS WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR REMOVAL/INSTALLATION 

1. Remove the mudguard.  

2. Remove in the order indicated in the table. 

M

RF wheel-

speed sensor 

(signal)

RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor

Continuity

M-RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor 

connector 

terminal A

Continuity 

detected

harness (M-

RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor 

connector 

terminal A) 

N

Brake switch Brake switch

Voltage

N-brake switch 

(Brake pedal 

depressed)

B+



Wiring 

harness (N-

brake 

switch)  



Brake 

switch  

Y-brake switch 

(Brake pedal 

not depressed)

1 V or less

O

RF wheel-

speed sensor 

(ground)

RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor

Continuity

O-RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor 

connector 

terminal B

Continuity 

detected



Wiring 

harness (O-

RF ABS 

wheel-speed 

sensor 

connector 

terminal B) 

P

-

-

-

-

-

-

Q

-

-

-

-

-

-

R

-

-

-

-

-

-

S

-

-

-

-

-

-

T

-

-

-

-

-

-

U

-

-

-

-

-

-

V

-

-

-

-

-

-

W

-

-

-

-

-

-

X

-

-

-

-

-

-

Y

CAN_L

DLC-2 

(CAN_L)

Continuity

Y-DLC-2 

terminal 

CAN_L.

Continuity 

detected



Wiring 

harness (Y-

DLC-2 

terminal 

CAN_L)  

Z

CAN_H

DLC-2 

(CAN_H)

Continuity

Z-DLC-2 

terminal 
CAN_H

Continuity 

detected



Wiring 

harness (Z-

DLC-2 

terminal 

CAN_H)  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 BRAKES Antilock Brake System - MX-5 Miata

  

3. Install in the reverse order of removal. 

Fig. 11: Identifying Front ABS Wheel-Speed Sensor (With Torque Specifications) 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

FRONT ABS WHEEL-SPEED SENSOR INSPECTION 

INSTALLATION VISUAL INSPECTION 

1. Inspect the following items: 



If there is any malfunction, replace the applicable part.  

1. Excessive play of the ABS wheel-speed sensor  

2. Deformation of the ABS wheel-speed sensor  

CLEARANCE INSPECTION 

1. Remove the front ABS wheel-speed sensor.  

2. Measure the distance between the front ABS wheel-speed sensor installation surface and the ABS sensor 

rotor. This is dimension A.  

3. Measure the distance between the front ABS wheel-speed sensor installation surface and the tip of ABS 

wheel-speed sensor. This is dimension B. 

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 BRAKES Antilock Brake System - MX-5 Miata

  

4. Calculate the clearance between the front ABS wheel-speed sensor and the ABS sensor rotor using the 

following formula: 

Clearance (mm {in}) = A - B 

5. Verify that the clearance between the ABS sensor rotor and the front ABS wheel-speed sensor is as 

indicated below. 



If there is any malfunction, replace it.  

Clearance  

0.3-1.0 mm {0.012-0.057 in}  

Fig. 12: Measuring Distance Between Front ABS Wheel-Speed Sensor Installation Surface & ABS 
Wheel-Speed Sensor Tip 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP.

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 BRAKES Antilock Brake System - MX-5 Miata

  

SENSOR OUTPUT VALUE INSPECTION

1. Turn the ignition switch off.  

2. Connect the M-MDS or equivalent to the DLC-2. 

Fig. 13: Locating DLC-2 Connector 
Courtesy of MAZDA MOTORS CORP. 

3. Select the following PIDs using the M-MDS or equivalent: 



LF_WSPD 

(LF wheel-speed sensor) 



RF_WSPD 

(RF wheel-speed sensor) 

4. Start the engine and drive the vehicle.  

5. Verify that the display of the M-MDS or equivalent shows the same value as the speedometer. 

CAUTION:



Resistance inspection using other testers may cause damage to the 
ABS wheel-speed sensor internal circuit. Be sure to use the M-MDS 
or equivalent to inspect the ABS wheel-speed sensor.  

 

2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Grand Touring 

2008 BRAKES Antilock Brake System - MX-5 Miata