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.
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.
Keep an eye out for any unusual behavior in your car. Read our informative articles to gain the knowledge you need to communicate productively with your mechanic. Together, you can advocate for your vehicle to run at its best.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Explore the following typical inspection results that show a potential cause for the symptom and select the one you believe is similar to your vehicle's issue.
This image shows the results of a brake pedal scan reading. In this case, the pedal isn't sending proper signals.
A customer dropped this vehicle off at the shop complaining about its brakes. They said that the brakes were locking up when they were driving on wet roads and that sometimes the brake pedal felt less sensitive.
The mechanic performed a test drive and noticed that the brake pedal wasn't communicating smoothly with the brakes. In addition, the car's dashboard didn't indicate any ABS and traction control light on.
The shop performed a vehicle health inspection, which didn't lead to any relevant diagnostic. So, the customer allowed for additional, more in-depth, testing procedures.
The additional tests found failure codes such as the C0045, C0046, and C0044, which all relate to the brake pedal sensor. Then, the technician used a special scanner to measure the pedal sweep, which seemed fine.
However, when testing the pedal sensor's circuits with a lab scope tool, the technician found glitches at different pedal sweep levels. So, they'll need to replace the brake pedal assembly.
The following chapters bases themselves on experiences from our auto repair shop; we'll describe related problems' causes and fixes.
Axle Bearing Replacement
Wiring harness replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
wheel hub and bearing assembly replacement
Constant velocity axle replacement
Brake pedal sensor replacement
Traction control module replacement
Blown fuses replacement
Steering angle sensor replacement
Miscalibrated sensor replacement
Brake pedal assembly replacement
Computer Software update
Steering column replacement
Clock spring replacement
Wiring harness repair or replacement
Anti-lock brake module replacement
Anti-lock brake motor replacement
Brake system flush
Wiring harness replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
Brake pedal assembly replacement
Brake pedal position sensor replacement
Computer Software update
Tire replacement
Sensor pigtail replacement
Wheel speed sensor replacement
Computer Software update
Air conditioning module replacement
Wiring harness repair or replacement
Computer module replacement
ESC switch replacement
Below are just a few examples of typical Symptoms and Fixes your car might be experiencing