The ABS warning light means the anti-lock braking system isn’t working properly, and may not work if you need to stop your car quickly.
What Are The ABS And Brake System Lights?
The anti-lock braking system (ABS) is now a standard safety system in all cars. Its purpose is to keep the driver safe by preventing the wheels from locking when you use the brakes. You can keep control over the steering and your vehicle won’t skid as a result of the wheels locking up.
There is a warning light on the dashboard which will come on if there is any problem with the ABS. This is a light that needs to be taken seriously because it is an early warning sign that your ABS needs to be inspected.
There is also a brake system light that will come on if there is an issue with the braking system. It lets you know that it is time to take your vehicle to our specialists to check over your car’s brakes and make any adjustments needed.
Understanding the ABS Safety
Here are some things to know about ABS safety:
The ABS does a self-test every time you turn on the ignition. Once you start your vehicle, the warning light will briefly come on, and if the computer finds a problem, the light will stay on. If you notice the light flash immediately after starting the vehicle, then it’s just your vehicle doing a self-check.
If the warning light comes on while you are driving, it means the ABS is not working properly. Your brakes will still work, but the ABS might not engage if you need to make an emergency stop.
If the light remains on, you need to have a mechanic diagnose the ABS light issue as soon as possible. Since the ABS helps with vehicle control and stopping distances, it is an important safety feature to maintain – you never know when you’ll need it.
If both the ABS and brake system light come on at the same time, your vehicle is no longer safe to drive. This means there is a serious problem with the braking system, and continuing to drive puts you and others at risk of a car crash.
As you brake heavily and your ABS engages, you will notice the brake pedal pulsating. This is completely normal and means the ABS is working normally. The ABS works with your braking system to create this pulsating to keep the wheels from locking up.
Once you feel this pulsating, keep your foot on the brake pedal and let the system do the work for you. All you need to do is concentrate on steering safely.
Is It Safe to Drive with the ABS Light On?
You can continue to drive your vehicle with an illuminated ABS light because you’ll still be able to brake.
However, this isn’t advisable because your vehicle’s ABS is likely turned off and you and your passengers won’t benefit from its safety. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have less control and your vehicle might behave unpredictably.
If your ABS light is caused by a faulty ABS control module or hydraulic control unit, then your vehicle might have unresponsive brakes, erratic brake performance, and ticking noises. Your brakes can also suddenly engage. Eventually, a faulty ABS control module can even cause brake failure.
Can you drive your vehicle with the ABS light on? Definitely. Should you continue to drive your vehicle with the ABS light on? No. If your ABS brake light is on, ask an experienced mechanic to check your vehicle. You should address this problem as soon as possible to keep you and your passengers safe.
6 Common Reasons the ABS Light Comes On
There are many causes which could make an ABS light come on. It doesn’t always mean there is a problem with the anti-lock braking system directly. There could also be a problem with other sensors or components that it communicates with as well.
Below are the top 6 causes of an ABS light coming on.
#1. Low Brake Fluid.
The brake fluid has a lot to do with controlling the braking pressure within an anti-lock braking system. There is a brake fluid reservoir which holds the fluid of the anti-lock braking system.
If you need to add or replace brake fluid, make sure to avoid these common brake bleeding mistakes that could compromise your brake system’s performance.
Sometimes there could be a leak from this reservoir, which will cause the fluid levels to drop. Either that or excessive amounts of air may exist within the system.
Either way, it may certainly cause the ABS warning light to illuminate on the dashboard.
#2. Faulty Speed Sensor.
There are speed sensors built into every wheel’s hub which calculate the movement rate of that wheel. This information then gets transmitted to the anti-lock braking system.
If it turns out that at least one of the wheels is moving too slowly, the anti-lock braking system will increase the pressure of the brake fluid to allow the wheel to move at a normal speed.
But if there is a problem with the speed sensor, the anti-lock braking system will detect that and cause the warning light to illuminate on the dashboard.
#3. Bad ABS Module.
The module of the anti-lock braking system can form corrosion after a while. This is one of the most common reasons for why there ends up being a problem with the anti-lock braking system.
If the module is corroded, then it can’t obtain information from the wheel speed sensor. As a result, the ABS light illuminates on the dashboard. It doesn’t even take a lot of corrosion to cause this to happen either. But you will need to replace the module after this happens.
#4. Bulb Check.
Some vehicles will perform what is known as a bulb check on the dashboard. This check is for the driver’s convenience, so they know the bulbs of their vehicle’s warning lights are working properly.
These lights will usually turn off by themselves after a certain amount of time. In some instances, there may be a glitch in the bulb check which keeps the ABS warning light illuminated after the bulb check is completed.
#5. Worn Hydraulic Pump.
If there is one wheel of a vehicle that moves at a different speed than the other wheels, the wheel speed sensor detects this and then notifies the anti-lock braking system.
Once this happens, the system will activate the hydraulic pump to increase the amount of brake fluid pressure. This will allow the wheels to maintain their traction as they’re touching the ground.
Unfortunately, hydraulic pumps tend to get worn out after years of using them. This would certainly cause the ABS light to come on, which means you’d need to replace the pump right away.
#6. Blown Fuse.
Fuses are often overlooked components in your car’s electrical system. They protect your car’s electrical circuits by breaking the circuit when there’s too much current flow. Because of this, they’re a possible cause of your ABS light illuminating.
To check if it’s a blown fuse causing the problem, you can locate your car’s fuse box which is usually found under the hood or near the driver’s side dashboard.
Look at the fuses related to the ABS system and see if any of them have a visibly broken wire or cloudy appearance inside the glass. Replace any blown fuses with new ones to see if the ABS light turns off.
How to Fix ABS Warning Light?
Here are steps you can take to fix issue the ABS warning light :
#1. Test the ABS Wheel Sensor.
A faulty wheel speed sensor could trigger the ABS light. Use a multimeter to measure the sensor’s resistance, comparing it to the manufacturer’s specifications. If it fails the test, consider replacing it.
Before replacing, inspect the sensor terminals for any corrosion. Corrosion can disrupt connections; if found, clean the terminals and retest.
#2. Check Hydraulic Pump or Valve.
Check for leaks around the gasket and tubing. If there’s leakage, replace the gasket or tighten connections to prevent further leakage.
Debris in the brake fluid might cause blockages in the hydraulic valve. Attempt to flush the hydraulic valve to clear any blockage. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, replacement might be necessary.
#3. Inspect the ABS Fuse.
A blown fuse could be behind the ABS warning light. Locate the ABS fuse within your vehicle’s fuse box and check for any signs of damage or being blown. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one of the same amperage.
However, remember that a blown fuse could signify an underlying issue requiring further attention.
#4. Check Brake Fluid Level.
Low brake fluid levels could trigger the ABS warning light. Verify the brake fluid level in the reservoir and refill it if it’s low.
If you’ve recently topped up the brake fluid, air might have trapped in the brake fluid lines. In such cases, consider bleeding the brakes to remove any air bubbles from the system.
#5. Inspect the tone wheel on an axle.
Rotate the wheel slowly and examine the ring for any gaps or excessive corrosion.
#6. Inspecting wheel bearings or hubs for play.
Check or measure for excessive movement in the wheels that could affect the sensor’s proper positioning to read the tone wheel.
#7. Ignition key ON/OFF.
Try turning the ignition key off and then back on as a simple initial troubleshooting step, similar to power cycling a computer.
#8. Try Resetting the ABS Warning Light.
To reset the ABS warning light, start by disconnecting the positive cable from your car’s battery. Then, activate the headlight switch to drain any residual power remaining in the electrical system. This method might help reset the ABS warning light.
#9. Try Resetting the ABS Warning Light.
If all other attempts fail to resolve the issue, consider replacing the ABS module itself. Issues within the ABS module can trigger the warning light, and replacing it might resolve the problem.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace the ABS?
The exact cost will vary depending on several factors, such as the actual part and your vehicle’s year, make, and model.
For example, an ABS control module replacement can cost you anywhere between $30 and $1,980. Meanwhile, ABS speed sensors can set you back around $10 to $3,010. Some parts won’t come cheap, but you can’t put a price on safe driving.