What is the reason for the simultaneous illumination of the ABS and airbag lights in the Ford Escort?
2 Answers
There are two reasons for the simultaneous illumination of the ABS and airbag lights in the Ford Escort: one is the excessive gap in the copper piece of the front wheel sensor plug, and the other is due to cable breakage. Information related to ABS and airbags: 1. How ABS works: The sensor installed on the wheel sends a signal that the wheel is about to lock up. The controller then instructs the regulator to reduce the oil pressure in the wheel's brake cylinder, decreasing the braking torque. After a certain period, the original oil pressure is restored. This cycle repeats continuously (up to 5~10 times per second), keeping the wheel in a rotating state while maintaining maximum braking torque. 2. How airbags work: Airbags are inflatable soft bags installed in vehicles that deploy instantly during a collision to provide cushioning, protecting the safety of the driver and passengers.
I've encountered a situation where both the ABS and airbag lights illuminate simultaneously on a Ford Escort, which often indicates an issue with a shared system. For example, if the power supply fuse blows, both lights rely on the same circuit, triggering an alarm once the fuse is blown. Another common cause is wiring faults, such as loose or shorted ground wires, especially prone when there's excessive water accumulation under the car. It could also be due to sensor failures, like a faulty wheel speed sensor, affecting the ABS and falsely reporting an airbag fault. On the Ford Escort forums, module communication errors are also cited as a cause. I recommend first checking the fuse box yourself to locate the relevant fuse (its position is in the user manual). If the fuse isn't blown, try tightening the ground bolt. If the issue persists, use an OBD scanner to read the fault codes—don't delay, as driving with a malfunctioning airbag is extremely dangerous.
