Could ABS wheel speed sensors be used to trigger a traction loss light? I was just thinking that it might be a useful thing to have. Has anyone done anything like this before? It seems to me that a device could be made that would compare the abs sensor inputs from the front and rear wheels and trigger a light on the dash if there were a substanstial difference indicating a loss of traction. I wouldnt know how to make it but it doesnt seem like it would be that hard to do.
Just a brainstorm I had. Sorry if it is an old idea.

 

ABS wheel sensors produce an ac signal so your gona need a little more to make your idea work. you would need a box to convert the signal like the ABS unit. Its a good idea but in my opinion its not gona be very cost efective.

 

It could be done relatively easily and inexpensively, but what would be the point? You don't need electronics to know when your wheels are spinning.

 

They are basically VR sensors. You could probably use an ignition control module to generate a 5 volt square wave for processing.

 

Doesn't the sight and smell of tire smoke give you a clue your about to skid off into oblivion or get a ticket for exhibition of speed LOL ... Doubt you will ever get this to work ... but cool idea though ... Once passed smog with a 4 barrel non feedback carb like this. just triggered the check engine light with a oil pressure switch.

 

I was thinking it would be a useful tool because I have been in a few high powered cars on street tires that will light the tires off from a roll and you cant really hear it. By the time you feel the lack of acceleration you have already lost a few tenths. With a loss of traction light you would know right away and it would be a good trainning tool to learn to drive right at that limit when racing. I would think this would at least help by providing a rough estimate of throttle and clutch habits for each gear under similar conditions.

On the more technical side of things is there any simple electronic device that compares outputs of two similar circuits? If the ABS WSS are just small generators wouldnt the simple comparison of there output be enough to compare or am I thinking of more basic than it is? Would it require a small logic board of some sort to compare some other charecteristic of the AC square wave that they produce as opposed to just the voltage?

Would it be easier to use an existing ABS or TCC computer to do the same thing?

 

If you wanted to do it in analog, you'd probably use a frequency-to-voltage converter and a comparator. The LM2917 would be a good start, it's designed to work directly with a reluctor input.

 

I guess the next step is to find out if the wheel speed sensors are the same from front to back. I think the rear sensor is in the diff housing or transmission rather than on the wheels. I dont remember right now. I will have to check it out when I am by the truck. Its a 93 s10 blazer.
If they are different front to back that would have to be factored in.

thanks for suggesting the LM2917
that puts me on the right track and I just found a bunch of info and data sheets. I wouldnt have know where to start.