Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) help your tires stay on the road when you brake. If your tires lose contact with the road, your car could skid.
ABS doesn’t necessarily shorten your stopping distance, but its main purpose is to prevent your wheels from locking up, especially when driving in challenging conditions.
How ABS works
When you brake hard, ABS sensors detect if any wheel is slowing down faster than the others. If so, ABS pulses the brakes on that wheel to prevent it from locking up. This helps you keep steering control and avoid skids.
It’s normal for the ABS light to briefly come on when you start your car. This is just the ABS system doing a self-check.
It’s not normal for the ABS light to come on while you’re driving. If it does, it means there’s a problem with the ABS system. You should still have normal braking, but you should get your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible.
There are a few reasons why the ABS light might come on:
If you see the ABS light come on while you’re driving, pull over to a safe place and check your brake fluid level. If it’s low, add more brake fluid and see if the light goes off. If it doesn’t, or if you’re not comfortable checking your brake fluid level, take your car to a mechanic.
It’s safe to drive carefully with the ABS light on, but it’s best to get it checked out as soon as possible.
ABS Module Failure
The ABS module itself can also fail. This is typically caused by wiring corrosion, which can lead to delays or complete failure of communication between the wheel speed sensor and the ABS module.
If your ABS module fails, you may experience the following symptoms:
Low Brake Fluid
Your ABS module relies on brake fluid to function properly. If your brake fluid level is low, it can cause the ABS light to come on. This can be caused by a leaky fluid reservoir, a leaky seal, air in the system, or worn brakes.
If your brake fluid level is low, you may experience the following symptoms:
What to do if you experience ABS module failure or low brake fluid
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it is important to have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. ABS module failure and low brake fluid can both lead to serious safety problems.
The mechanic will be able to diagnose the problem and recommend the necessary repairs. In some cases, the ABS module may need to be replaced. In other cases, the problem may be fixed by rewiring or refilling the brake fluid reservoir.
Faulty Speed Sensor
The wheel speed sensor is a critical component of your car’s ABS system. It measures the speed of each wheel and reports this information to the electronic control unit (ECU). The ECU uses this information to control the ABS system, which prevents your wheels from locking up when you brake hard.
If the wheel speed sensor fails, the ECU will not be able to receive accurate speed information. This can cause the ABS light to come on, and it can also make it more difficult for your car to stop.
Here are some of the symptoms of a faulty speed sensor:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. A faulty speed sensor can be a serious safety hazard.
Here are some additional details about the causes of faulty speed sensor failure:
Bad Hydraulic Pump/Unresponsive Valve
The ABS system uses a hydraulic pump to control brake fluid pressure. The pump applies brake fluid through a cylinder to control the brakes during normal braking. The ABS system can then lower the brake pressure on individual wheels based on the speed readings it receives from the wheel speed sensors.
If the hydraulic pump is not working properly, or if there is a damaged hydraulic valve, the ABS system will not be able to function properly. This can lead to poor braking performance and even brake failure.
The hydraulic pump and valve can fail for a variety of reasons, including:
Symptoms of a bad hydraulic pump/unresponsive valve:
If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to have your car checked by a mechanic as soon as possible. A bad hydraulic pump/unresponsive valve can be a serious safety hazard.
Here are some additional tips for preventing hydraulic pump/valve failure:
ABS Issue | Cost to Fix | How Common Is This Issue? |
---|---|---|
Blown fuse | $20 | Common |
Bad ABS module | $300-$650 | Uncommon |
Bad hydraulic pump / frozen valve | $400-$550 | Rare |
Faulty speed sensor | $200-$400 | Common |
Low brake fluid | $50 | Common |
Note that the cost to fix an ABS issue can vary depending on the make and model of your car, as well as the severity of the problem. If you experience any ABS issues, it is important to have your car diagnosed by a qualified mechanic.
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