What Happens When the ABS Sensor Fails?
2 Answers
If the ABS sensor fails, the ABS function will be lost, meaning that if the vehicle has a stability control system, it will also stop working. When the ABS is not functioning, during emergency situations or hard braking, the vehicle's wheels may lock up, causing the car to skid uncontrollably. However, under normal driving conditions, the fault may not be noticeable. The ABS system has a self-diagnostic feature that monitors its operation. If it detects any faults that affect normal operation, it will automatically shut down the ABS, illuminate the ABS warning light, and alert the driver. The most common cause of ABS failure is a faulty wheel speed sensor. These sensors are typically mounted on the wheels and can easily become covered with dirt, which interferes with the transmission of speed signals. As a result, the ABS computer cannot accurately determine the vehicle's speed. Cleaning the dirt from the tires and adjusting the gap between the sensor and the signal ring can usually resolve the issue.
Previously, my car's ABS sensor was faulty, and I could clearly feel something wrong with the brakes while driving. On a rainy day when I stepped on the brakes, the car slid like it was on ice for quite a distance, almost losing control of the direction, which really freaked me out. The ABS warning light on the dashboard stayed on, indicating that the anti-lock braking system had failed, making the wheels prone to locking up and the tires skidding, which is especially dangerous on wet or icy roads. A mechanic friend told me that this sensor monitors wheel speed, and if it's broken, the ABS computer won't function, also affecting traction control and stability systems. I quickly went to a repair shop and replaced the sensor, which only cost a few hundred bucks to fix. The experience taught me to always pay attention to the dashboard warning lights and get any abnormalities checked immediately—don't wait until an accident happens to regret it. Situations like this on the highway can be deadly.
