Antilock Brake Troubleshooting
Anti-lock brakes help ensure that, in the event you need to brake quickly and suddenly, your wheels don’t suddenly stop while your car is still traveling at a high speed. Having your wheels abruptly halt when your car still has a lot of forward momentum can cause your tires to lose traction and uncontrollably skid on the surface of the road.
If your ABS system detects a problem when you are driving or when you turn on your vehicle, it will turn on a warning light to let you know that there is a potential issue. While you should still be able to brake without the assistance of your ABS system, it is a safety feature of your vehicle that you will want to fix as soon as possible.
Check These Before Going to the Mechanic
However, that fix does not always have to require a potentially costly trip to the auto shop to resolve. Often, it is a very simple issue that you can easily find and fix yourself for a fraction of the price you would pay a technician or dealership.
Before you resort to taking it to a mechanic, be sure to try these simple troubleshooting tips.
Restart Your Car
It may have simply been a glitch in your system that triggered your warning light to come on. Your car runs a test of its ABS system each time you turn on the ignition. Reboot the system by turning your car off and on again to see if the issue resolves itself.
Inspect Your Fuse
A blown ABS fuse can also cause the system to register an error and is a very easy fix. Check to make sure your fuse is still in working order by inspecting it to see if it is blown. It is located in the passenger compartment or under the hood, check your owner’s manual to see where it is located. If it is blown, replacing it should resolve your issue.
Check Your Controller
Even a small amount of corrosion can compromise your ABS controller and harness. Check the controller unit for build up or corrosion that could cause resistance or impede signals from traveling through the wires. You may need to replace certain components or clean them in order to solve the issue.
Look at Outside Components
A portion of your ABS system is located under your car and around the wheel bearings, which leaves it exposed to possible damage from road debris or rough terrain. Look under your vehicle to inspect your wheel speed sensors, wiring, and tone wheel for signs of damage or obvious wear and tear.
Ensure that your wheel sensors are not missing, loose, or broken. Check that the wires connecting the sensors to the system are not damaged or disconnected. Last, look at your tone wheel to find missing or bent teeth.
We are Here to Help!
If you have completed all of these and found the cause of your problem, wonderful! We offer a convenient mail-in service and can have your broken ABS system part repaired and refurbished in only 24 hours.
If the problem persists despite your trouble shooting, we are here to help. Call us at (678) 778-8890 to speak with one of our ABS systems experts who can help you with more troubleshooting tips so you can identify the issue and get it fixed.