Circuit Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2004 GMC Sierra, 2004 GMC Cab & Chassis Sierra, 2004 Chevrolet Silverado, and 2004 Chevrolet Cab & Chassis Silverado. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The speed sensors are variable reluctance devices that convert mechanical motion to an AC voltage. Each sensor consists of a wire coil wrapped around a pole piece that is adjacent to a permanent magnet. These elements are contained in a housing that is mounted adjacent to a rotating ferrous member. Two signal wires extend from one end of the housing and an exposed end of the pole piece is at the opposite end of the housing. The permanent magnet produces lines of flux around the pole piece. As a ferrous object, such as a gear tooth, approaches and passes through the gap at the end of the pole piece, an AC voltage pulse is induced in the wire coil. The transmission control module (TCM) calculates the frequency of these AC pulses and converts it to a speed value. The AC voltage generated varies from 150 millivolt at low speed to 15 volts at high speed. The signal wires from the sensor are formed as twisted pairs to cancel magnetically induced fields. The cable is also shielded to protect from voltage-related fields. Using two-wire differential inputs at the TCM eliminates noise from other sources.

DTC P0721 is a type A DTC.