What does it mean when a car displays ABS?
2 Answers
When a car displays ABS, it means there is a malfunction in the vehicle's Anti-lock Braking System. During emergency braking, if the wheels lock up, the vehicle may lose control and skid, making it difficult for the driver to slow down or adjust the vehicle's trajectory, posing significant safety risks. The ABS warning light can illuminate in various states, each indicating different causes and solutions. The details are as follows: State 1: ABS warning light remains constantly lit (most common). Cause 1: The ABS speed sensor's sensing area is covered by dirt, mud, or other contaminants, affecting the sensor's ability to detect the corresponding speed signal. This prevents the ABS computer from determining the vehicle's speed and the wheel's slip rate, thus failing to issue appropriate commands to regulate braking. Solution: Clean the dirt from the speed sensor and adjust the gap between the sensor and the signal ring to restore normal function. Cause 2: Loose connections in the system wiring or poor contact in the ABS relay can lead to signal issues and system failure. Solution: Inspect the wiring connections and reconnect any loose parts. State 2: ABS warning light intermittently lights up but turns off during acceleration. Cause: When multiple vehicle electrical devices are in use, the battery voltage may drop below 10.5V. As the engine speed increases, the voltage rises, causing the ABS warning light to turn off. This can also occur if the ABS system's power supply voltage is too low due to poor terminal contact or grounding issues. Solution: Check the battery's specific gravity, inspect the charging system, and examine the power supply (e.g., voltage relay or poor power contact). State 3: ABS warning light remains lit after engine start and only turns off when the engine is turned off (IGFF). Cause: Poor grounding contact in the ABS hydraulic valve body; poor contact in the ABS hydraulic valve body wiring connector; ABS computer malfunction. Solution: Loosen the grounding screw of the hydraulic valve body, then retighten it, cleaning the contact surface if necessary. Check if the connector gap has widened. Replace the ABS or ABS/ASR computer if needed. State 4: ABS warning light illuminates during high-speed driving. Cause: At high speeds, the ABS computer detects a significant discrepancy between the rear and front wheel speed signals. This can also occur if the tire or wheel rim specifications are incorrect. Solution: Refer to the vehicle's tire and wheel rim specifications, typically found on the sticker near the fuel tank cap. State 5: ABS warning light intermittently lights up. Cause: Improper adjustment of the brake light switch; poor internal contact in the brake light. Solution: Start the engine, press the brake pedal, and use a finger to push the brake switch linkage down fully. Then release the brake pedal to complete the self-setting position. Replace the brake light switch if necessary.
A few days ago, the ABS light in my car also came on. After checking, I learned that ABS stands for Anti-lock Braking System. Its main function is to prevent wheel lock-up during braking, allowing you to maintain steering control on slippery surfaces and avoid skidding or losing control. However, if this light stays on continuously, it indicates there may be a fault in the system. Common causes include the wheel speed sensor being clogged with dirt, a broken sensor wire, or issues with the control unit. Although an ABS fault won’t make the car completely unable to stop, the braking distance will increase significantly, greatly reducing safety. My advice is not to push through it—visit a repair shop as soon as possible to scan the fault codes with a diagnostic tool and get it fixed. Also, be careful not to use high-pressure water jets near the wheel area when washing the car to prevent the sensors from being covered in dirt.
