What are the symptoms of a faulty tire ABS sensor?
3 Answers
The most direct symptom of a faulty tire ABS sensor is that the ABS warning light on the dashboard will illuminate, and the wheels may lock up during emergency braking, causing skidding and loss of control. Below is relevant information about ABS sensors: 1. Overview: The ABS sensor is used in automotive ABS (Anti-lock Braking System). Most ABS systems use inductive sensors to monitor vehicle speed. The ABS sensor interacts with a toothed ring that rotates synchronously with the wheel, outputting a set of quasi-sinusoidal AC signals whose frequency and amplitude are related to wheel speed. This output signal is transmitted to the ABS electronic control unit (ECU) for real-time monitoring of wheel speed. 2. Types: Ring-type wheel speed sensor: The ring-type wheel speed sensor mainly consists of a permanent magnet, induction coil, and toothed ring. The permanent magnet is composed of several pairs of magnetic poles. As the toothed ring rotates, the magnetic flux inside the induction coil alternates, generating an induced electromotive force. This signal is input to the ABS ECU through the cable at the end of the induction coil. When the speed of the toothed ring changes, the frequency of the induced electromotive force also changes.
Last time when I was driving, the ABS warning light suddenly came on and stayed illuminated persistently, which immediately felt wrong to me. Under normal driving conditions, there were no noticeable issues, but when braking—especially on slippery roads—the wheels tended to lock up easily, causing slight skidding or lateral movement, unlike the usual stable performance. I looked it up and found that the ABS sensor monitors wheel speed; if it fails, the system can't adjust braking force in real time, leading to less responsive braking. Later, I noticed the speedometer occasionally malfunctioning or behaving erratically, sometimes accompanied by strange noises from the wheels. This issue is actually quite dangerous—for example, braking distances can lengthen in rainy conditions, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions. I promptly took the car to a repair shop for inspection, and it turned out the sensor was dirty. After cleaning, everything returned to normal. I’d advise fellow drivers not to ignore an illuminated ABS light. Start by simply cleaning the sensor or checking the wiring; if the problem persists, replace the part to ensure driving safety.
From my experience, the most obvious symptom of a faulty ABS sensor is the ABS warning light staying illuminated on the dashboard, which signals a failed system self-check. While driving, if the sensor malfunctions, the anti-lock braking function will fail, causing more frequent wheel lock-ups during emergency braking – such as squealing tires during hard braking, with possible slight vehicle deviation or instability. I've also noticed inaccurate speedometer readings since this sensor is directly linked to wheel speed measurement. The sensors are typically installed near each wheel and are prone to dust accumulation or corrosion, especially in sandy/dusty areas. Once the light comes on, I recommend using an OBD scanner for quick diagnosis; if unavailable, test braking at low speeds to observe reactions. Remember to promptly replace damaged sensors as they affect the entire safety system – ABS failure becomes doubly dangerous on slippery roads. During routine maintenance, regularly cleaning the sensor's magnetic ring area can prevent such issues and avoid accident risks from delayed repairs.
