Okay, here’s my blog post about dealing with an anti-lock brake system (ABS) failure:
So, the other day, my ABS light popped on. My first reaction? Total panic. I mean, brakes are kinda important, right? I pulled over, turned the car off, and then turned it back on again. You know, the classic “reboot” move. The light stayed on. Great.
Figuring Out What Happened
I decided to do some digging. Not literally, of course. I started with the easiest thing: I checked the brake fluid level. It was a little low, so I topped it up. No luck there, the light was still staring back at me.
Next, I figured it might be a sensor issue. I’ve heard those things can get dirty or just plain give up. I Located the wheel speed sensors, they’re usually near each wheel’s brake assembly. I gave them a good visual inspection. To be honest, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was looking for, other than obvious damage or disconnected wires. Everything looked okay, but who knows.
Since I didn’t have a fancy code reader, I couldn’t pull any diagnostic codes. That would have made things a lot easier. It’s kind of frustrating to guess.
- Checked brake fluid: Added some, but no change.
- Inspected wheel speed sensors: Looked okay, but I’m no mechanic.
- Wished I had a code reader: Seriously, those things are useful.
The Solution (sort of)
I am still driving careful and slow. I am going to go to the mechanic and have him check it.
I have replaced the speed sensors before on other cars, but it is something to keep in mind when your ABS light goes on.