What does the ABS System do?
Most vehicles from the early 1990s onwards have an anti-lock braking system (ABS) which controls brake pressure to each wheel while braking to prevent each wheel from locking up or skidding. The result is safer driving and reduced risk of losing control when the brakes are suddenly applied. The ABS system uses several sensors to determine the required amount of brake pressure in each wheel. These sensors include ABS sensors or wheel speed sensors.
What happens if an ABS sensor fails?
In the event of one of your ABS sensors failing, your vehicle’s ABS light will turn on, warning you that there is a fault in your ABS system. When one sensor stops working, your entire ABS system may cease to work correctly, compromising you and your family’s safety along with other people.
If the ABS sensor fails, we recommend that you get your vehicle inspected as soon as possible. A vehicle with no anti-lock braking system may not brake in a straight line under emergency braking, causing you to lose control. Also you may not be able to swerve out of the way of obstacles will emergency braking, increasing the risk of a collision.
Please remember it is illegal to drive your vehicle with the ABS light is on. Even if you have a current Warrant of Fitness (WOF). You could get a fine from the Police if caught.
Also, if your ABS light is on, (or does not turn on for a few seconds for a bulb check) at the time of a Warrant of Fitness check, then it will fail the WOF.
Why is the ABS light on?
There are several things that can cause the ABS light to turn on. These include:
- A malfunctioning ABS module – The ABS module and/or sensors can fail due to electrical faults in your vehicle. For more information about the specific fault, a fault code reading can give insight on which part is malfunctioning.
- Low brake fluid – In some cases, low brake fluid can cause the ABS light to turn on. Since the hydraulic braking system is connected to the ABS system, it will stop functioning correctly when the brakes stop functioning correctly. The onboard diagnostics system detects this and the ABS light turns on.
- Malfunctioning wheel speed sensors – The ABS system relies on accurate readings from your wheel speed sensors to determine what changes in brake pressure need to be made. If one or more of your wheel speed sensors becomes dirty or damaged, readings will be inaccurate and the ABS light will turn on.
ABS / Wheel Speed Sensor Replacement in Hamilton
When you take your vehicle to Grimmer Motors, our trusted, experienced and skilled staff use the latest in scan tool technology to quickly determine if an ABS sensor or component is damaged and fit a replacement. A repair will remove the ABS warning from your dashboard, allowing your vehicle to pass a Warrant of Fitness and allow you to drive safely.