ABS light on Priora without abs

ABS in cars

ABS in a car prevents the wheels from locking when the car is braking. The whole meaning is revealed even in the name - anti-lock braking system. That is, if a wheel gets blocked while moving, it will loosen its grip, and it will begin to spin a little as it moves. Even while holding the brake pedal, the driver will notice how the wheels alternately rotate and lock within a second, which affects the safe braking process and the complete stop of the car.

The anti-lock braking system will allow you to maintain control of the car during heavy braking. If it is absent, the car’s wheels will simply lock during emergency braking, causing the driver to lose control, despite attempts to turn the car around and stop it.

WHY DOES THE ABS LIGHT COME ON?

The ABS light, located on the dashboard, serves to promptly inform the driver about a malfunction of this system. So, every time you start the engine, the ABS system undergoes a self-test, during which the indicator is always on. It takes no more than three seconds to identify possible faults, after which the indicator goes out. If this doesn't happen, you can rest assured that carefree braking on any surface can be forgotten.

Since ABS is a rather complex system, in order to understand what the problem is when the ABS light comes on, you need to imagine what it consists of. There are three main elements of the system.

1. The electronic unit is the one that makes decisions and controls the entire system.
2. The hydraulic unit is responsible for the pressure in the brake system, and when the wheels are blocked by pressing the brake pedal, it reduces the pressure in the brake system, allowing the wheel to rotate.
3. Sensors that read the number of wheel revolutions. They are located on each hub and constantly transmit information to the central unit.

If the ABS light is on on the instrument panel, an error code, the alphanumeric designation of which is displayed on the on-board computer display, will help you figure out the cause yourself. You can decipher it by reading the car’s operating instructions or searching for information on the Internet.

Advice! If the ABS icon lights up when you start the engine, it is not recommended to start driving. Despite the fact that the car will not be left without brakes, it will be difficult for the driver to quickly get used to the need to brake in a new way. In addition, the performance of some other driving assistance systems depends on ABS.

Why did the ABS sign come on?

The first sign of a malfunctioning anti-lock braking system in a car is the 3-letter sign on the dashboard that lights up. Like all important car electronics that are part of the electronic control system, the anti-lock braking system independently carries out diagnostics after each ignition switch. If problems are detected during this diagnostic period, a light on the instrument panel lights up and does not go out. The ABS sign lighting up for a couple of seconds after turning on the ignition should not confuse the driver: this indicates that self-diagnosis has begun.

Causes of ABS malfunction in a car:

• Dirty front or rear ABS sensors. For this reason, they will not be able to convey accurate information, which will lead to erroneous conclusions about the performance of the sensors;
• Damage to the wheel rotation sensor;
• Problems with the crown on the hub;
• Loss of communication between the sensors and the unit, due to which information is not transmitted correctly;
• Module failure.

Problems with ABS should not be confused with problems with the car's braking system as a whole. A red exclamation mark on your car's dashboard indicates problems with the brake system.

The ABS light came on: why did this happen and what to do now

It is quite difficult to find a modern car without ABS installed. The anti-lock braking system greatly helps drivers maintain control and stability when braking. At the same time, the braking distance of the car increases slightly compared to the disabled system.

As with many other systems, ABS has indicators on the instrument panel that indicate that the system is not currently working. And if the driver presses the brake pedal, the wheels will be blocked. Therefore, if the ABS light comes on, it is worth finding out the reason, there are not many options.

First of all, it is worth understanding that if the ABS lights up when the engine starts and immediately goes out, this is normal and there is no need to worry. It’s another matter if the indicator flashes after starting the engine or while driving - this is a warning that must be kept in mind until the vehicle stops and taken into account when braking.

To understand why the ABS caught fire, it is worth mentioning the design of the system . It consists of four wheel rotation sensors, an ABS module, a control device, and a warning light on the instrument panel.

Therefore, the problem may be in the control unit, in the sensors installed on each wheel, with the wiring that transmits data from them, or with the crown on the hub. Often the malfunction is related specifically to the sensors - while driving, the integrity of the wires may be damaged, or the wheel rotation sensors themselves will become covered with dirt and begin to give out false information.

ABS sensor

If the ABS lights up after any repair or maintenance work in the hub area - replacing brake discs or pads, replacing the hub, etc. - it is worth checking to see if the sensor connector is not connected back. Also, from an elementary point, it is worth mentioning checking the fuses responsible for the anti-lock braking system.

You can determine what exactly is the reason for the ABS light to come on using diagnostics using special equipment. This method will allow you to count errors in the operation of the system and find out in which part of it the problem occurred. Unfortunately, there is not always access to such equipment, so you can try to cope on your own.

For example, if the ABS lamp comes on after a significant slip , do not panic. This can be overcome by accelerating to at least 40 km/h and hitting the brakes. If the indicator goes out, it means the system has come to its senses and is working again.

What else can be done to fix the problem when the ABS lights up on the panel is also well described here: https://etlib.ru/blog/210-gorit-abs

What to do if the ABS sign comes on?

Initially, the driver must carry out diagnostics to accurately identify the presence of a problem, and not just a malfunction of the car's dashboard. After identifying the real problem, you can try to solve it in two ways:

• Disconnect the battery terminal for 20-30 minutes to reset the electronics and restore after connecting the battery. Sometimes this helps eliminate problems with the electronics themselves, and the dashboard will begin to display information correctly;
• Make ABS work “manually”. On an empty and flat road, it is enough to accelerate the car to 40 kilometers per hour and sharply press the brake pedal for complete braking. If the light on the instrument panel does not stop lighting, then the problem requires attention from a car service technician;
• Inspect the front and rear ABS sensors and blocks, check their integrity and compliance with the original form. It is possible that the sensor on one wheel is bent and damaged, which could cause the three letter sign on the instrument panel to light up. This will allow you to accurately understand the cause of the problem;
• Check the condition of the wires and contacts. If, while driving, the ABS sign lights up and goes off, then the problem is in the wires and contacts.

The most serious reason for the three-letter sign on the dashboard to light up may be a breakdown of the ABS module and unit. Despite their strength, this is quite possible.

If, after performing ABS repairs at a car service center, the sign on the dashboard continues to light up, the problem may be due to the technician’s usual forgetfulness. After repairing the ABS, it is necessary to connect all sensors back.

Trying to disable the ABS sign on the panel yourself or performing complex repairs is highly not recommended. Only a qualified car service technician will be able to repair the ABS if the module or the sensor itself breaks down. It is important to promptly pay attention to the condition of the system, as it completely affects the vehicle’s handling and makes driving safer during emergency braking.

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