Mar 16, 2021
ABS stands for ‘Anti-lock Braking System’, and should the ABS warning light ever illuminate on your dashboard, it means the antilock system has been deactivated because of a malfunction.
Generally, your car’s brakes will be working fine but the anti-locking feature that prevents the wheels from locking up during braking is not. This may also mean that stability and traction control will no longer be working as they rely on the same sensors as the ABS.
ABS sensors are mounted at each wheel and monitor the speed at which the wheels are turning. If one is turning slower than the other during braking, it indicates that it is locking up which could cause skidding and loss of steering control. The ABS is designed to intervene by rapidly pumping the brakes at the wheel that is locking up, allowing it to spin so the driver maintains control.
The ABS light will likely come on every time you start your car, but if the light stays on it’s a sign that something isn’t working as expected.
There are a number of reasons why an ABS light may come on, and it doesn’t always mean there is a problem with the ABS system directly. There could be a problem with other sensors or components that communicate with it as well, but here are the 5 most common reasons why your ABS light may come on:
● Low Brake Fluid: The brake fluid has a lot to do with controlling the braking pressure within the ABS system. It’s possible that there could be a leak causing fluid levels to drop or excessive amounts of air are within the system, causing the ABS warning light to illuminate.
● Faulty ABS Module: The module of the ABS can form corrosion after a while, one of the most common reasons why there are problems. If a module is corroded, it can’t obtain information from the wheel speed sensor.
● Faulty Speed Sensors: If one of the wheels is moving too slowly, the ABS system will increase the pressure of the brake fluid to allow the wheel to move at a normal speed.
However, if there is a fault with the speed sensor, the ABS light will come on.
● Car Bulb Check: Vehicles will generally perform a bulb check on the dashboard each time the car is started up which is for the driver’s convenience. While these lights turn themselves off after a period of time, it may be a case there is a fault with one of the bulbs, leaving the ABS light on.
● Worn Hydraulic Pump: If there is one wheel moving at a faster pace than the others, the sensors will notify the ABS. The system will then activate the hydraulic pump to increase the amount of brake fluid pressure. These pumps can get worn out, causing the ABS light to come on.
If the ABS light illuminates on your dash, it’s time to visit a mechanic. Get quotes from local garages in your area to check out your ABS warning light issue today with MyCarNeedsA.com, saving you both time and money. Get your quotes!
