The presence of an ABS indication light on your dashboard indicates that there may be a problem with your system and that you should have it checked properly. This indicator normally illuminates for one of four reasons: either the ABS module is broken, the fluid reservoir is low on fluid, the wheel speed sensors are damaged, or the system is off.
Ineffective ABS Module In fact, the traction control system in your car and the ABS have certain crucial parts in common. A device called traction control keeps all four wheels on the ground moving easily. It will cut off power from your engine until it regains steady traction if it notices that one wheel is beginning to spin erratically. This is intended to stop you from unintentionally exerting too much power, which could cause you to slip out of control. However, because your traction control and ABS share a control module and self-diagnostic system, they occasionally clash. The ABS light may illuminate in addition to the traction control light occasionally, however there are other situations when the ABS system is at fault. To pinpoint the precise problem, your car needs to be professionally diagnosed.
The fluid reservoir has low levels. Your brakes are hydraulic, which means they work by closing your brake pads and stopping your car by applying pressure from a cylinder against a fluid. This implies that the fluid level in your brake system must be steady and continuous. The volume of fluid will decrease and your brakes won’t function properly if there is a slow leak or if the fluid is allowed to evaporate out. Usually, sensors on your computer can find this, and if it does, it will turn on the ABS light.
Wheel speed sensors that are broken Wheel speed sensors are a piece of hardware that provide information to your computer about the individual speeds of the wheels. If the computer notices a deviation from these speeds, your traction control system will alter or switch power to another wheel to make up for it. However, a speed sensor can’t convey this information accurately if it becomes dusty or stops operating. It typically disables your ABS and/or traction control systems until you restart your car or the issue is fixed rather than making a ton of adjustments.
Your System Has Been Shut Down You might be surprised to learn that you can switch your traction control or ABS on and off. The indication light on your dash will often illuminate when the system is turned off to let you know that this crucial safety feature is malfunctioning. There is a good probability your system may have unintentionally turned off if only your traction control or ABS indicator is illuminated. Whether you’re unsure of where the switch is, check to see if you might have accidently bumped it. If so, refer to your owner’s manual.
In This Article...
If you drive with your ABS light on, what happens?
The manufacturer installed the anti-lock brake system (ABS) as a safety feature. It is intended to stop your brakes from locking up after a forceful pedal push. This system’s main goal is to keep your tires on the ground so that dangerous skidding can be avoided, not to increase your stopping power.
Why is the ABS light coming on and off?
An ABS light that is flashing is not always a bad thing. After you start the automobile, the ABS light will typically turn on and off. This is merely a self-testing procedure that the system will run each time the car starts to ensure that everything is operating as intended.
Why did my ABS light come on while driving?
If the ABS light came on while you were driving, your anti-lock system isn’t functioning properly. Your brakes will still function, but if you abruptly slam on them, the ABS may not activate, which could result in you losing control of the car.
How do I know my ABS is working?
You will experience a trembling or shaking of the brake pedal when applying forcefully. This is common, so don’t be alarmed by it. Your calipers will grab the rotors when you pound on the brakes, eventually causing them to lock. Fortunately, the speed sensors in your ABS system will activate a number of hydraulic valves. By doing this, the pressure placed on the rotors will be reduced, and they won’t lock.
Why won’t my ABS light go out?
An issue with various parts inside or connected to the anti-lock brakes may be indicated by an ABS warning light that illuminates and remains illuminated. For instance, specialized sensors keep tabs on the wheels’ speed. The ABS warning light will remain illuminated if one or more of these wheel speed sensors are malfunctioning or broken. The same holds true if there is a wiring issue.
Other potential issues could be with the system’s hydraulic pump, solenoid valve, ABS control module, or a faulty power relay to the module. The brake master cylinder’s braking fluid level dropping or a fuse blowing can both cause the warning light to illuminate (or in the ABS reservoir if the vehicle is so equipped).
What does it cost to turn off the ABS light?
The initial diagnosis will cost you roughly $100 from a qualified mechanic. Because so many ABS parts are easily accessible, labor costs for the majority of repairs are typically in the $100–150 area. A standard ABS sensor will cost between $80 and $125, however on some makes and models (GM, Ford, and others), the sensor is included in a hub/bearing assembly, raising the cost to around $350. Parts costs rise into the $500 to $800 area for more serious problems like those with the ABS pump or computer.
Q: Is it safe to drive a car with an ABS light on?
Yes, it is secure. Even having the ABS light on, the car brakes will continue to function normally when braking. But in cases of hard braking, the brakes will lock up, causing the wheels to skid. When you apply hard braking on ice during the winter, your ABS system is crucial to prevent your wheels from locking up.
Driving with the ABS light on in the winter is risky since your car won’t be able to withstand emergency severe braking. The safety feature gives you steering control by reducing your stopping distance and safeguarding you from mishaps.
Q: How much does it cost to fix the ABS system?
Ans: If you include the price of an ABS diagnosis and labor fees, it will cost about $200. The estimate, which is location-specific and excludes taxes and fees, is available here.
However, depending on the ABS module component, there may be an additional cost of $200 to 950 if you need to replace the ABS system. Many mechanics will repair your ABS for a total of $340 to $1100.
Q: Can Low brake fluid cause ABS light to come on?
Yes, when there is insufficient brake fluid in the ABS fluid reservoir, an ABS light will illuminate. You have an abnormally low fluid level, according to the warning light. Check to see if the alert goes away by shutting off the engine and starting it again. If not, look to see if the light is flashing. If so, it indicates that the brake fluid level is only a little bit low.
Q: Can worn brake pads cause ABS light to come on?
Ans: No. The ABS light won’t turn on because your brake pads are worn out. A blown fuse, an irregular wheel sensor, and low brake fluid levels all cause the light to come on. As a safety measure, it’s wise to change old brake pads in order to boost stopping power. To increase your car’s braking effectiveness, replace worn brake lines.
Q: What can cause ABS to fail?
Unless the ABD controller is malfunctioning due to one or more sensors or defective sensor connections, ABS rarely goes wrong. The most frequent reason is that metal shavings, debris, or corrosion have contaminated the sensors. Only after you slam on the brakes and realize that the wheels are locking up as you drive will you become aware of a malfunction.
Why is my ABS light on even though I just changed my brake pads?
Following a brake job, the following problems may cause your ABS and Traction Control light to illuminate: brake fluid that is tainted. During service, the wheel speed sensor came loose. The cables for the sensor connector were not reattached to their initial location.
How can I check the status of my ABS light?
It is advised that you take your car to a qualified Meineke technician who can properly diagnose and fix the issue if you feel your ABS system isn’t functioning correctly or if the ABS light on your dashboard is lighted.
Schedule an appointment today
A valve system within the car automatically engages if traction is being lost, controlling the amount of brake fluid that is accessible. This is done using sensors on each wheel. This occurs more quickly than any driver could brake.
There are numerous ways to examine your ABS system for issues. Of course, it’s evident that something is awry when the ABS dashboard light comes on. Another indication that there is a brake problem is a sluggish or unresponsive pedal. Lastly, listen out for grinding noises when you press the brake pedal; these noises are a sign that your brakes urgently need to be serviced.
Any time your ABS light illuminates or you hear any strange noises when you press the brake pedal, you should make a maintenance appointment. Grinding noises or slow response times, on the other hand, typically indicate true brake problems. Typically, the ABS light indicates a fault with the wheel sensors rather than the brakes themselves.
The ABS dashboard light typically indicates a sensor issue, but you may verify this by inspecting the sensor to check for dirt or particle build-up; if so, it’s time to have your car serviced.
Can low tire pressure turn on the ABS light?
Yes, low tire pressure can cause your ABS light to turn on, to give you the quick answer. When braking, the ABS (anti-lock-braking) system is in charge of keeping the wheels on the ground.
This indicates that one of your tires could not be properly inflated. This may also cause the ABS light to illuminate for a number of reasons. Wheel speed sensors are installed in your automobile at each of the four wheels. These sensors track wheel speed and continuously provide this data to the ABS and traction control systems, which are managed by the vehicle’s ECU.
When the ECU detects an anomalous speed under certain circumstances, it activates the traction control or ABS as necessary to adequately and safely control the vehicle. These sensors may occasionally malfunction or stop operating altogether, delivering the ECU erroneous indications. You might encounter the symptoms you’ve mentioned when this happens.
These erroneous or imprecise signals may unintentionally activate the traction control or ABS systems. The change in tire pressure may have also resulted in the ABS light turning on, depending on the signal sent from the wheel speed sensors to the ABS system.