A modern car is equipped with various vehicle status indicators. Most of the systems are electronically controlled, but the feedback, by which the computer communicates with the driver, is the flashing of bulbs or some kind of light elements.
Young drivers may be alerted by the situation in which the ABS light is on. In this case, there is no reason for critical panic, because the main braking system should remain normal.
The help of the anti-lock braking system is to minimize driving and road imperfections when you press the brake pedal. There is no locking of the wheels, causing the car to turn or lose control of it. The car slows down and continues to move in a straight line.
ABS assists with pulse braking by rotating/locking the wheels in a specific sequence. Skid during system operation is practically eliminated, and there is a smooth decrease in vehicle speed.
The ABS system includes the following elements:
- hydraulic block;
- electronic sensors located on each wheel;
- an element that monitors the correct operation of the hydraulic unit;
- indicator light on the dashboard.
Problem identification
If the ABS light comes on while driving, this is a signal that the entire system or its individual elements are not working properly. A normal sign of operability is its ignition when starting the car, and after a few seconds it should go out.
At this time, the ABS performance test is being carried out. Signals are sent to all sensors, and response pulses are received from them.
When the ABS icon lights up and does not go out even while driving, this may be the result of such problems:
- communication problem with any sensor on one of the wheels;
- breaking in the control unit;
- poor quality contact in connecting cables;
- failure in all sensors.
A wire break occurs while driving, as well as during intense vibrations on a bad road. The connections in the connectors loosen and a break occurs. These malfunctions are solved independently without contacting the specialists of the auto enterprise.
Also, the reason why the ABS sensor is on may lie in the fact that debris or dirt has fallen on the working surfaces of the sensor located on the wheel. It is enough to wash the car with high quality, and the indicator will go out.
You need to remember how long ago you visited a car service, because inexperienced craftsmen carry out wheel diagnostics by folding the wires from the sensors. After that, unfortunate specialists forget to return everything to its original position, and the light on the panel continues to burn.
Malfunctions with the control unit will be more problematic. You can identify them using the on-board computer, which will issue a system error code. According to such data, the problem with anti-blocking is calculated. It is unlikely that you will be able to solve the issue on your own, so you will need a trip to a car service.
Independent problem solving
For those who are used to acting decisively, it can be advised to open the hood and find the electronic control unit. After disconnecting the battery, inspect the case for damage or water ingress. If necessary, you can dry everything from excess moisture.
Check all connections in the fuse box. In this case, you need to know that several fuses can be used at the same time for the operation of the ABS.
It is worth checking the wires going to the wheel from the ECU. They can separate or fray during operation. Such diagnostics is carried out on a jacked up car.
In some cases, it is enough to accelerate on a flat empty road and brake sharply. In this case, all systems must work correctly, and the indicator must go out if there is a temporary failure in the computer.
In cases where the ABS is working normally, but the lamp is still on, it is enough to fold the battery terminal for a few minutes to reset the system. Everything must be back to normal.
When none of the proposed cases of putting the display in order helped, you need to safely go to a car service in order to identify and eliminate the error with the help of computer accurate diagnostics.
