The ABS warning light indicates a fault within the vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. ABS is designed to prevent the wheels from locking during emergency braking which allows the driver to maintain steering control and reduces the risk of skidding. When the ABS light appears it means the vehicle has detected a problem and the anti-lock braking system may be disabled.
Although the warning light may seem alarming, the vehicle’s normal braking system will usually still function. However without ABS the wheels may lock more easily during heavy braking, especially on wet roads or slippery surfaces.
In many situations it is possible to continue driving when the ABS light is on. The standard braking system still works and the vehicle can normally stop safely. The main difference is that the anti-lock braking system may not activate during emergency braking.
Drivers should avoid sudden heavy braking and leave extra stopping distance from vehicles ahead. If other warning lights appear at the same time such as the brake warning light or traction control light, this may indicate a larger braking system issue.
The most common cause of an ABS warning light is a faulty wheel speed sensor. These sensors monitor the rotation speed of each wheel and send data to the ABS control module. If one sensor stops sending accurate data the system will disable ABS and display the warning light.
Other causes include damaged sensor wiring, worn ABS tone rings, low brake fluid levels or faults within the ABS control module itself. In most cases a diagnostic scan can quickly identify the fault code stored within the braking system.
MotorLoom analyses warning lights and vehicle symptoms to identify possible causes.
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