OK, usually it means that the code is set by an open or short in the wiring to the wheel speed sensor, or the wheel speed sensor is bad itself. It's an easy fix on most 1997 Cadillacs with standard brakes by changing the wheel hub assembly or if available separately, the wheel speed sensor alone if it's a bolt on type rather than a pressed in version.
Many hub assemblies on standard Cadillac Devilles from the 1990s are priced affordably for $69 or so. But on a Limousine with Heavy Duty Brakes (J55), it would be much more expensive.
I had to repair a Limousine I own and the hub assembly retails for over $1270.00 and even with a discount online auto parts supplier it was in the neighborhood of $920.xx for the part I needed to get the wheel speed sensor to put on my car. I was stuck with a wheel hub assembly that wasn't needed at this point in time, because my hub assemblies were fine, the wheel speed sensor had issues according to the on board obd-II diagnostics for the abs and traction control features.
So, I guess it's a reasonable repair for a standard Cadillac Deville, but becomes up to 20x more expensive for the Limousine version of the Cadillac Deville.
Also, note, that on the limousine that I own, the rear wheel drum speed sensors are replaceable and available on the market at several locations for about $69 to $109 or so. But, again, that is on a heavy duty brake limousine.
The regular Deville has 4 wheel disc brakes, and if one wants to change a wheel speed sensor on that, it usually requires the $69 to $109 aftermarket hub assembly for the wheel in question.
Why are they so easily damaged? Well, I think that the wires can be damaged or the connectors can be easily damaged, but the sensors themselves should be pretty good if you get a well manufactured one. Manufacturing defects can lead to an early sensor failure. No way around it but to put a known good one in to the car whether it is just a sensor, or the sensor combined and pressed into the hub assembly.
-Duane
