What does it mean when the ABS light is on in a car?

[StJudah]

When the ABS light is displayed in a car, it indicates 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, which poses a significant safety hazard. There are several states in which the ABS light may illuminate, each with different causes and solutions, as detailed below: State 1: ABS warning light stays on continuously (most common). Cause 1: The ABS wheel 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 wheel speed sensor and adjust the gap between the sensor and the signal ring to restore normal function. Cause 2: Poor signal transmission due to loose connections in the system wiring or poor contact in the ABS relay, leading to system failure. Solution: Check the wiring connections and reconnect any loose parts. State 2: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates and turns off when accelerating. Cause: When multiple vehicle electrical devices are in use, the battery voltage drops below 10.5V. As the engine speed increases, the voltage rises, and the ABS light turns off. This may also occur if the ABS system's power supply voltage is too low due to poor contact in the wiring or grounding. Solution: Check the battery's specific gravity; inspect the charging system; examine the power supply (e.g., voltage relay or poor power contact). State 3: ABS warning light stays on 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's wiring connector; ABS computer malfunction. Solution: Loosen and then retighten the grounding screw on the hydraulic valve body, cleaning the contact surface if necessary; check if the connector gap has widened; replace the ABS or ABS/ASR computer. State 4: ABS warning light illuminates during high-speed driving. Cause: During high-speed driving, the ABS computer detects a significant discrepancy between the rear and front wheel speeds; incorrect tire or wheel rim specifications. Solution: Refer to the vehicle's tire and wheel rim specifications, as indicated on the label near the fuel tank cap. State 5: ABS warning light intermittently illuminates. Cause: Improper adjustment of the brake light switch; poor internal contact in the brake light. Solution: With the engine running, 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.

[Frodo]

When I saw the ABS light on the dashboard, my heart skipped a beat. ABS refers to the Anti-lock Braking System, and the light indicates that the system has detected a fault, which could be a bad sensor or poor wiring connection. Having driven for thirty years, I remember that ABS prevents wheel lock-up during hard braking, especially on wet and slippery roads, making driving much safer. Now that the light is on, I have to drive carefully, otherwise, the steering might lose control during emergency braking. I suggest going to a reliable repair shop for a check-up immediately, and also take a look at other indicator lights, like the tire pressure, to see if there are any issues. Don’t neglect daily maintenance, as small problems can turn into big risks.