texas008

Houston got hit by Hurricane Beryl on 7/8. Most people lost power.
I drove the GL450 out to get fuel for my gas generator, the roads are covered with debris.
Then error message showed up on the dash, "ABS Malfunction" and "ESP Malfunction".
I've also noticed that my backup display is not working (Its a aftermarket system installed by Bestbuy that taps in one of the braking light wires).
I did a search on internet, possible reasons are:
A. braking light bulb need replacement
B. debris on road messed up some ABS sensors near the brake calipers.

any suggestions? thanks in advance.
seems not a very urgent issue and will need to look into these items after I got back power and AC in the house.

Max Blast

It’s not the ABS sensors it’s the vehicle wheel speed sensors.

I would take them out and clean them and see if codes reappear, after having cleared them.

You’d be looking for a one or more vehicle speed sensor signal implausible codes on one or more axles.

Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery and that your damage is minimal.

GL500 x164

Water intrusion from hurricane possibly if it was parked outside.

pjw1967

My 2017 GLS550 with 58k miles had warnings for multiple safety systems being inoperable. Took it to a local indi shop in Galveston who diagnosed bad wheel speed sensor. Replaced for $430.00. Problem gone.

texas008

My other SUV the GX460 was parked outside with all windows closed.
After the hurricane I found a puddle of water on the driver side WeatherTech floor mat. under the plastic floor mat the carpet is socked wet.
The SUV ceiling is dry. there are traces of water under steering column and around driver side door hinge area.
I'm still trying to figure out how did the water get in. The GX460 now has intermittent "ABS", "brake light" and "traction control light" on.
I'm hoping that these lights to be gone when the SUV is totally dry after couple of days.
lesson learned keep cars in garage during hurricane.

GL500 x164

It's usually blocked or everflowing drains, or leaking window, door, sunroof and roof rail seals.
This vid shows how they find water ingress on cars

Max Blast

Sorrry to say this but your GL will likely be an insurance total if you’ve had salt water in over the floorboards.

texas008

luckily my GL450 is parked in garage and has no water on the floormat. I dare not leave the GL450 outside of garage.
It is my Lexus GX460 that got water on the carpet,

texas008

Just a quick update. replaced two front speed sensors with Myele sensors from rockauto.
Then after a few drives, the warning lights and error messages are gone.

Sallad

Are they not the same thing on these vehicles?

texas008

on the driver-side front wheel, there is only one sensor the speed sensor.
on the passenger-side front wheel, there are two sensors, the speed sensor and a brake pad wear sensor.

texas008

The upper end connector of the passenger side speed sensor has dried mud around it. not sure how mud gets there. maybe that is the reason for the sensor malfunction.
Those two speed sensors were 17 year old original sensors with rubber fixture rings disintegrated on them.
The same model of Myele sensor is used on both sides. It fit well on the driver side.
However on the passenger side, the Myele sensor connector needs to combine with the brake pad wear sensor connector and then get plugged in to the socket on the car frame.
The Myele connector has a different shape/angle than the original one that prevent it from achieving a perfect fit with the brake wear sensor connector.
both connectors will still combine and fit in the socket, with a tilt/gap between them. I used some tape and ziptie to make sure they are firmly connected. seems working fine.

Sallad

But a brake wear sensor is just a simple copper loop that gets worn away, causing an open circuit. This wouldn't cause an ESP fault.

The speed sensors are Hall Effect sensors, with magnets. I'm betting a good cleaning of the sensor and the mag ring will fix the issue. Metal bits will collect on the sensor ring over time and pile up on the sensor head giving false readings.