What Causes the Anti-Slip System Light to Illuminate?
4 Answers
Reasons for the anti-slip system light illuminating: 1. Accidentally pressing the ESP OFF button; 2. Loose or faulty sensor connectors; 3. Short circuit in wiring or related fuse blown; 4. Software issues causing poor signal transmission; 5. ABS pump failure. Methods to turn off the anti-slip system light: 1. Restart the engine and briefly press the ESP OFF button on the vehicle to check if ESP was accidentally turned off; 2. Visit a 4S shop for inspection, use a specialized diagnostic tool to locate the fault, and after repair, use a decoder to clear the fault code. The warning light will turn off once the ESP is confirmed to be functioning properly.
Last time I drove in the snow, I also encountered this issue with the anti-skid light coming on. Later, my mechanic friend told me it might be because the wheel speed sensor was covered by ice and snow, causing the system to give a false alarm. It could also be that the tire treads are worn unevenly, leading to unbalanced grip and triggering the warning. If this happens right after washing the car, it's likely that the sensor connector got wet and short-circuited. The most troublesome issue is if the ABS pump is faulty—that's expensive to fix. Nowadays, when the light comes on, I usually pull over and restart the engine first. If it stays on, I go check the fault codes. In winter, the biggest thing to watch out for is water splashing onto the chassis and freezing, as it’s the most common cause of such problems.
After driving for twenty years, I've seen quite a few cases where the anti-skid light comes on. The most common cause is a dirty wheel speed sensor or one covered in mud, especially after off-roading. An abnormal steering angle sensor can also trigger this light—I once took apart the steering wheel, and after reassembling it, the light came on; it only went away after recalibration. Wiring issues aren’t uncommon either—I’ve encountered chewed wires from rodents and oxidized connectors. Rainy days require extra caution, as false alarms from the system are more likely, but it’s still important to check if the tire pressure is balanced. I remember one time with an older car where the battery voltage was unstable, and the anti-skid light flickered like a breathing light. When this light comes on, be careful—don’t stomp on the gas, or you might end up fishtailing.
Last time I got my car repaired, I happened to encounter this issue. Upon disassembly, it turned out the left rear wheel sensor was damaged by gravel, with metal fragments stuck on the sensing head. Simply replacing it with a new sensor fixed the problem. It could also be a blown system fuse, which can be found in the fuse box under the steering wheel. Newer models are more troublesome—system software bugs can trigger the light for no reason, requiring a control module program update. Don't panic if the light comes on; first check all four tires for obvious underinflation or foreign objects. If the light appears after hitting a bump, the sensor connector might have shaken loose. Those handy with DIY can try resetting the system by disconnecting the battery first.
