If the ABS light turns on and remains lit, you’ve got a problem with the anti-lock brake system. We can diagnose the problem and repair it to get the ABS light to turn off. It is normal for the ABS light to turn on briefly when you first start your automobile. If it turns on at any other time, your engine control unit, the main computer chip, is warning you that there is an issue with the brakes. Let’s talk below about specific reasons why the ABS light is shining brightly.
Faulty ABS Module
Your vehicle has two systems that share a couple of parts: the anti-lock brake and Traction Control systems. The parts they share are a self-diagnostic system and a control module. The ABS system prevents your brakes from locking so you don’t lose control of your automobile if you must slam on the brakes. The Traction Control system makes sure your wheels retain their traction on the road. The ABS light can turn on if the systems interfere with each other on the diagnostic system or control module.
Low Brake Fluid Level
The brake system on your automobile is a hydraulic brake system that utilizes hydraulic brake fluid. When you press down on the brake pedal, the master cylinder pushes fluid through to the cylinders so they can use that fluid to push the brake pads against the rotors. This creates friction and kinetic energy to slow down and stop your automobile. If the brake fluid is leaking or evaporating, system sensors will detect a low brake fluid level. They will report this to the engine control unit and it will turn on the ABS light. The light will remain lit until you have any leak repaired and add fluid to the brake system.
Dirty Wheel Speed Sensors
Each wheel on your automobile has a speed sensor to determine how fast each wheel is turning. This allows the engine control unit to make speed adjustments via the traction control system if one of the wheels is spinning too fast or too slow. It can also transfer power away from a wheel that is spinning too fast. The wheel speed sensors can pick up a lot of road grime that will coat them with dirt. When this happens, they may start to malfunction. When the engine control unit does not receive data from the wheel speed sensors, it turns off the ABS. It may also turn off the traction control system. This will cause the ABS light to turn on and remain on until the wheel sensors are cleaned and the system is reactivated.
Head straight to our auto service shop if your ABS light is on. We will inspect the system to determine the problem so we can fix it.
