Seeing the ABS warning light on your dashboard is never a good sign. This alert indicator signals a malfunction in the vehicle's active safety system.
But what types of malfunctions does it indicate ?
Is it dangerous to drive with the ABS warning light on ?
And how can you turn it off ?
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The ABS car light is on
The ABS warning light appears on your dashboard every time you turn on the ignition.
It disappears as soon as the ECU validates the brake assist system.
If it remains on, does it indicate a fault that needs to be fixed? The answer is: not always.
What the warning light indicates
The ABS system is made up of several sensors. These sensors trigger the warning light on the dashboard when they detect incorrect data. However, the appearance of the ABS light is not always due to a failure.
Is it dangerous to drive with the ABS warning light on?
The fact that the light comes on is not necessarily due to a malfunction. But that doesn’t mean you should ignore it.
If the ABS system is indeed faulty, you risk losing control of your vehicle during hard braking.
It's a matter of road safety, both for you and other road users. So if your warning light is on, make sure everything is in order before hitting the road.
The most common ABS system failures
Several issues can cause the ABS warning light to turn on.
Faulty sensors
The sensors measure braking force and tell the ECU when to activate the ABS.
However, when the sensors are in poor condition, their readings may be inaccurate, causing the warning light to turn on for no apparent reason.
Seal issues
When you brake, brake fluid flows into the hydraulic circuit, pushing the brake pads against the wheels. If the circuit is not completely sealed, brake fluid may leak. This means the hydraulic system will use more fluid to apply the same braking force.
The ECU may interpret this excessive fluid consumption as excessive braking and trigger the warning light on the dashboard.
A failing battery
The entire system is regulated by the ECU, which is an electrical rather than a mechanical component. If the battery is not functioning properly, the ECU may misinterpret the data it processes.
So, if the electrical charge is too strong or too weak, the ECU may turn on the ABS warning light on the dashboard.
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How to turn off the ABS warning light?
Once you have identified the reason for the warning light, it’s time to turn it off.
By using a professional car diagnostics scanner, you can access the ABS system and turn off the warning light.
Otherwise, it is still possible to reset the dashboard warning lights without using a diagnostic tool.
We even made a video on this topic:
But don’t forget! Turning off the warning light without fixing the issue is pointless. If you reset the light without repairing the fault, it will turn back on immediately. If you want to ensure the ABS warning light stays off, you must complete the necessary repairs.
Conclusion
The ABS warning light can turn on for various reasons. Whether due to a system malfunction or a simple battery issue, driving with the ABS warning light on is never a good idea.
Want to learn more?
That’s it for this article on the causes of the ABS warning light. If you have any tips or questions, feel free to share them in the comments.
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