Wheel Speed Sensors and Snow Issues?

Hi All - Allow me to apologize if this has been covered - I try not to start new threads unless I can't find anything on the topic. I did attempt to search for info on this issue, but did not find anything.

2010 Limited 142K of trouble free miles EXCEPT THIS! - This has now happened 2 times. My 4Runner is mainly a street ride - once in a while go off road, but not much. Bought it because I liked it, and I live at the bottom of a hill and when it does snow (or more likely ICE in S Ohio), you need 4WD/AWD to get out. We don't get a lot of snows over 2", but when we do, I have to go out an play! This is really just pedestrian power sliding around or blasting up hills when no cars are around, etc. Child's play for a 4Runner! This happened last weekend - 3-4" of fresh snow. Goofed off, etc. Get home, park it - everything fine. It was parked outside, and it was pretty cold overnight - down into the single digits. The next morning, go out to run an errand, and 4 dash lights are on: The parking BRAKE light ON, the Traction Control light ON, the ABS light ON and the "Low Lock" indicator light is flashing. The parking brake is not engaged. It drives normally, but a slippery road test of ABS and Trac Control shows that they are not functioning.

This is the second time - almost exact same circumstances. Last time, mechanic determined it was a failed wheel speed sensor, replaced, all good for several years (not much snow last few years here). I am assuming this will be the same answer this time too.

Does anyone know if there is some correlation between snow, cold weather, "excited" driving that would cause sensor failure? I am sure people abuse (love?) their 4Runners WAY more than I do, so I thought if there is a weekness to the design, I would see something here.

Any knowledge would be appreciated! Thanks.

 

I have had this happen to me before, and toyota replaced my wheel speed sensor. The correlation between cold weather and that is not the case due to it happened to me in summer time here in South Florida. It just happens when wheeling your 4runner, i would say it is just a bad design.

 

most likely a front wheel sensor. that should throw a code to indicate which sensor. can also be a hub issue / wiring to it or other sensor issues . hubs can mess up the wheel sensor..

140K hub could be going .. so abs/traction control/brake light on that is usually from a wheel sensor failure . 140K and 8 yrs old that is a good deal...