Why does the ABS light come on after a vehicle inspection?
2 Answers
It is normal for the ABS light to come on after a vehicle inspection. This happens because during the tailpipe emission test, only the front wheels of front-wheel-drive vehicles or the rear wheels of rear-wheel-drive vehicles are rotating, causing the system to mistakenly detect an ABS fault. The light will turn off after driving for a short distance. The ABS system, also known as the Anti-lock Braking System, keeps the wheels in a state of rolling and sliding during emergency braking to prevent wheel lock-up. A vehicle inspection is a mandatory test for all vehicles, equivalent to a physical examination for the vehicle, aiming to promptly eliminate potential safety hazards and reduce the occurrence of traffic accidents, commonly referred to as a vehicle inspection.
I think it's quite common for the ABS light to come on after an annual inspection, mainly because the equipment tests the braking system during the inspection. Sometimes, when the wheels spin freely on the testing platform, the wheel speed sensors may misinterpret signals, causing the ABS module to falsely illuminate the light. I've seen many cases where dust on the testing platform blocks or loosens the sensors. Additionally, inspectors might have disturbed the wiring harness or fuses, leading to poor contact. The ABS system is highly sensitive to signals, and any error can easily trigger an alert. My advice is not to delay—take your car to a professional repair shop immediately to read the fault codes with a diagnostic tool. Addressing the specific issue should resolve it. For prevention, regularly clean the sensors around the wheel hubs and check the wiring before the inspection to reduce the chances of unexpected issues, ensuring a smooth and safe next inspection.
