How to Determine if the ABS Pump is Faulty?
2 Answers
When pressing the brake pedal, it feels stiff and produces an unusual sound, not the normal crisp and short sound. Find a flat, deserted road, maintain a speed of around 60 km/h, and slam on the brakes. If the brake pedal pulsates, it indicates the ABS is functioning normally. If the brake pedal does not pulsate, it means the ABS is not working and there is a fault. If you remove the ABS fuse and apply the brakes at around 40 km/h, you will notice obvious brake marks on the vehicle.
I just repaired my ten-year-old car and encountered quite a few issues with the ABS pump. To determine if the ABS pump is faulty, you can first listen for sounds: after starting the engine, if there's a continuous rattling noise near the ABS pump or no sound at all, it might indicate a pump failure. Next, check the ABS warning light on the dashboard—if it stays lit, don’t rush to blame other causes. Instead, use a diagnostic tool to scan the fault codes via the car’s OBD port. Codes like C1233 often point to pump issues. While driving, if the brake pedal feels unusually stiff, or the car noticeably locks up and skids when turning in the rain, these are indirect signs that the ABS isn’t functioning. However, don’t rely solely on guesswork, as wiring problems or sensor issues can be misleading. It’s best to have a professional shop check the pump’s voltage with a multimeter. Safety first—if anything feels off, it’s best to get it inspected immediately. Driving without ABS can be risky and increase the chances of an accident.
