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Home / Symptoms / ABSTraction Control Light

Four common causes for an “ABS/TCS” warning light on the vehicle and their related parts.

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Are your ABS and Traction control lights on?

The ABS and traction control lights are likely on due to driving on slippery terrain, indicating a "mode" the car activated. However, damaged brake and steering system sensors could send incorrect signals, causing the light to stay on continuously. Another possibility is problems with traction or brakes, such as low brake fluid.

Watch out: Don't ignore those flashing ABS and traction control warning lights on your car's dashboard. They indicate that something is wrong with your vehicle's braking system, requiring immediate attention. The sooner you take action, the better, as the damage could become more severe, leading to costly repairs.

The most common causes for an ABS/Traction Control warning light

The most common causes for an ABS/Traction Control warning light are:

Faulty brake pedal sensor: The brake pedal has a sensor picking up its movement, so it can tell modules, like the ABS, that the brake is being pressed. Then, the ABS knows when to kick in and use brake assistance to help the vehicle stop. However, if this sensor is faulty, the ABS shows a warning light on the dashboard.
Faulty steering sensor: The wheel speed sensors and steering sensor give the vehicle computer readings about the steering wheel’s angle. Then, the vehicle’s computer uses those readings to apply ABS and TCS on demand, depending on the driver’s steering wheel movements. However, if wheel sensors fail and give false readings, the ABS and TCS warning lights might pop up.
Faulty ABS module: The ABS module processes all the brake and traction-related readings from sensors throughout the vehicle and turns them into actionable information, helping the car use brake assist when it should, based on what the driver is doing. However, if this module fails, the vehicle’s dashboard will display an ABS/TCS warning light.
Faulty instrument cluster: The instrument cluster is the electronic board that holds the gauges and warning lights in a circuit. The cluster receives the signals from the vehicle to change or light up the information on the vehicle dashboard. However, this instrument cluster can fail and start lighting up warning lights that it shouldn’t, like the ABS/TCS light.
Faulty ABS pump: An ABS pump uses hydraulic pressure to help you control the vehicle, especially when braking. The pump uses various fuses and circuits that can internally fail, making the vehicle lose hydraulic pressure to the ABS/TCS, resulting in a related warning light on the dashboard. In some cases, an ABS-related issue might also trigger the brake light on the dashboard.
Faulty traction control system: Even with proper fluid levels and seemingly working components, the ABS/TCS warning lights might pop on the dashboard. In many cases, the traction control system can develop internal issues, mostly electrical; the issues can hugely vary, but an ABS/TCS inspection can rule out the problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your dashboard ABS and Traction control light warnings active?

These warnings indicate a fault in the anti-lock braking and traction control systems. As a safety measure, when this type of failure occurs, the vehicle disables these driver assistance systems, somewhat limiting advanced skid, traction control, and braking capacity.

If you notice traction loss on slippery roads, odd braking performance, and warning lights on the dashboard, you might wanna share these symptoms with the auto shop. These are critical indicators that they need to know.
Are your brakes locking when you stop on slippery roads?

A sensor in the brake pedal captures motion, informing the computer whenever the driver presses the brakes. This sensor also reads movement intensity, differentiating sudden emergency stops from regular ones. Additionally, this system comprises a backup sensor that compares readings with the original one, ensuring that they agree.

So, if a sensor fails, the backup takes over, preventing the brakes from dying. However, if both fail, your brakes might lock up. Plus, if the backup sensor doesn't agree with the original, a slight braking pressure might incorrectly be read as an emergency stop, locking up the brakes.

If you notice brake locking, red brake warnings, less-sensitive brake pedals, and check engine light on the dashboard, share these symptoms with the auto shop. These are critical indicators that they need to know.
Do your tires spin when accelerating on slippery or icy roads?

The steering angle sensor is a car part that reads the driver's motion on the steering wheel and shares it with the computer. It reads direction and speed, showing where and how fast the driver wants to turn.

The computer uses this information to ensure all the wheels move at the right speed, and the traction control detects any slower wheel and makes it move faster; this "harmonizes" the wheels' rotating speed.

However, any failure in this sensor might cause the traction control system to operate poorly, resulting in handling problems. So if you notice inoperative cruise control, steering rack failure, steering wheel buttons failure, and airbag light on the dashboard, share these symptoms with the auto shop.
Has anyone pointed out that your ABS and Traction control are disabled?

The ABS module is the car's computer that controls the anti-lock braking system. It gets power when the driver turns on the ignition; it also gets info from sensors around the vehicle to know if a wheel is about to lock up or lose traction.

If this module detects a wheel close to locking or losing traction, it activates the anti-lock brakes. Note that this process happens much faster than you could react. It's like a light-fast driver assistant, helping the car maintain control of urgent brakes.

If you notice brakes locking up, an inoperative speedometer, steering wheel buttons failure, and an airbag light on the dashboard share these symptoms with the auto shop.
Is your speedometer working correctly?

The ABS module gets information from many car sensors to determine the driving speed. Then, it sends this information to the car's network, including the speedometer.

However, if the module isn't working correctly, it'll provide wrong inputs about the vehicle's speed. So, keep an eye out if your speedometer is incorrect or inoperative.

If you notice an inoperative speedometer, ABS, Traction control, less-sensitive brake pedals, and a check engine light on the dashboard, share these symptoms with the auto shop.
Have you checked your vehicle's fuse box?

The ABS pump, which is part of the anti-lock brake system in your car, pushes the brake fluid to make the brakes work. It applies or pulses the brakes to each wheel very quickly.

However, if a motor problem happens, such as a short, a fuse blows up by default to protect the wiring and remaining electrical systems in the car. This process is a safety measure to prevent further damage.

If you notice an inoperative speedometer, ABS, Traction control, less-sensitive brake pedals, and a check engine light on the dashboard, share these symptoms with the auto shop.

Typical fixes to address the cause(s)

These are typical processes and repair services that fix a check engine light issue

The most common cause: Faulty brake pedal sensor

The most common reason for a car dashboard to show an ABS/TCS warning light is because of a faulty brake pedal sensor. The ABS system in modern vehicles relies on readings from the brake pedal’s movement. For example, if the brakes get pressed abruptly and hard, a sensor picks that up and shoots up a message to the ABS module saying “The driver is making an urgent stop.” Consequently, the ABS engages, making the vehicle stop pronto. However, the brake pedal sensor can fail, leading to no messages being sent to the ABS module, resulting in a loss of the brake assist.

Symptoms it causes: Apart from the ABS/TCS warning light on the dashboard you might also notice worse brake response, a brake warning light, and longer stopping distances.
High risk of priority: The brake pedal sensor is a safety component. This sensor is vital since it triggers the ABS, which is an emergency braking system that helps drivers do abrupt performance-demanding stops to avoid risky situations.

How exactly does the brake pedal sensor fail?

The brake pedal sensor can fail just like any other sensor; it mostly ages and naturally wears out. It’s always advisable to check your vehicle’s sensors after having it for 4-5 years. Also, notice if other sensors are failing, like the tire pressure sensor which tells your vehicle’s tires are low on the dashboard. If the tire sensor is faulty and sending the warning even though your tires are properly inflated, there’s a chance your other sensors, like the brake pedal, are also aging and prone to fail.

Go safe: Ask for a mechanic to inspect your vehicle’s ABS/TCS to investigate the sensors and modules and see if it means further damage. Many shops do transparent vehicle inspections and lay out your options after investigating your vehicle’s conditions.

What’s a vehicle inspection? It’s “detective work” on your vehicle, checking its systems to see if anything prevents the car from working as expected. In this case, mechanics examine different parts of your vehicle to track what’s causing the ABS/TCS to malfunction. They’ll also check the condition of components during their inspection, noting which are causing the problem and which got affected by it, recommending to replace them in order of priority.

Transparency example in a faulty brake pedal sensor service

An ABS/TCS inspection is the most transparent process to understand why your vehicle’s brake pedal sensor is faulty. Let’s read an example of how this kind of inspection helps to service a faulty brake pedal sensor.

In a scheduled service, a customer stated their car’s dashboard was displaying an ABS warning light on the dashboard constantly. The customer also mentioned that their vehicle’s brakes didn’t stop efficiently during an urgent stop they had to do a few days earlier.

In a closer look, the technician inspected the ABS module and fuses, noticing everything seemed to work fine. Then, they inspected the sensors, using a tool to track readings and signals. After a few tests, the expert found that the brake pedal sensor was not sending proper information.

The brake pedal sensor was clearly failing and the culprit behind the ABS/TCS warning light on the dashboard. Here are the readings that the expert got using a scan tool on the brake pedal sensor.

Brake pedal sensor failure

In this case, the mechanic put the “Immediate Action” tag on the brake pedal sensor.

Similar Symptoms

Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing

Four common causes for a “check engine” light on the vehicle and their related parts.

Are your ABS and Traction control lights on?

The most common causes for an ABS/Traction Control warning light

Frequently Asked Questions

Are your dashboard ABS and Traction control light warnings active?

Are your brakes locking when you stop on slippery roads?

Do your tires spin when accelerating on slippery or icy roads?

Has anyone pointed out that your ABS and Traction control are disabled?

Is your speedometer working correctly?

Have you checked your vehicle's fuse box?

Typical fixes to address the cause(s)

The most common cause: Faulty brake pedal sensor

How exactly does the brake pedal sensor fail?

Transparency example in a faulty brake pedal sensor service

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