Has anyone spliced in a twisted pair speed sensor pigtail on a FWD GM? (Page 1/1)
hdryder FEB 21, 03:53 PM
Is there any trick to splicing in a 'twisted pair' pigtail on a GM speed sensor?
The GM harness pigtail comes with butt connectors, which would be a bit hard to include in a twisted section.

If the two pair spices are not twisted, could that cause a problem. The twist is in the wire harness to eliminate any outside induction, from what I understand.

Thanks for the help.
cmechmann FEB 21, 09:41 PM
Depends how much of the lead you are replacing. If you are only repairing the end(last 8" or so)not too much of a problem.
I won't use the butt connectors, even from GM. I always solder and heat shrink with a dab of sealer in the heat shrink ends before shrinking. The old part of the lead HAS to be clean.
Is this a wheel speed sensor or trans speed sensor? Normally only see twisted pair on wheel sensors.
The twisting is more to reduce the interference from other moving metal objects that might screw up the signal. ( Alternator, other magnetic triggers, relays that are near the lead). To reduce electronic noise.
On wheel sensors, the signal has to be accurate. Any difference between it and the other wheels causes a false ABS trigger. See it happen a lot with corroded connections and overly rusted and cracked sensor rings.
RWDPLZ FEB 22, 01:10 AM
Just a twisted pair, or a twisted pair in a shielded cable? The twisting is just to prevent or reduce interference in the signal. You can usually see the pitch at the end if it's covered, try to maintain the pitch. Crimp and solder the terminals to the ends, and insert into the connector.

If you need to splice the new connector in right at the end where it plugs in, if there's enough slack in the harness, crimp and solder terminals to the original wires, and insert into the connector.
jb1 FEB 23, 01:10 AM
I was concerned about the same issue on adding the wheel speed sensors on mine , I ended up just using 2 pieces of straight wire and it worked fine with no issues

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87GTseries 1 3800sc (7.597 @88.53 1.579 60ft)
(series II swap in progress)
85GT Northstar/ 4t80e
86GT 3800 n/a
Northstar Rebuild

hdryder FEB 23, 11:13 AM
It is the wheel speed sensor for the ABS. The fault was triggering the 'ANTI-LOCK' light and TRAC OFF light.

I ended up splicing in about a 16" wire harness from a donor car from a junkyard, as the new pigtail harness about that size from GM was over $90.

So far it has worked will, even though at the short splice section the pair is parallel and not twisted.
I used red butt connectors and heat shrink tubing to seal it up. If it gives me anymore trouble in the future I will re-do it with a solder connection next time.

Thanks for the help on this one!
jaskispyder MAR 24, 11:22 AM
My ABS wires on the Aztek were twisted pair. I replaced one with lamp cord, which lasted quite some time until the cold weather finally broke the vinyl coating. That was a crude replacement and it worked just fine. After that I found that Dorman makes new pigtails and they are cheap. I just soldered them into place and haven't had any issues.
Just don't solder in a location that has any movement in the wire, as that joint is no longer flexible.