Why Is My Abs Traction Control And Brake Light On? 12 Reasons

There are many reasons for Why Is My Abs Traction Control And Brake Light On? It’s normal to feel anxious or worried when an unexpected light flashes on your car’s dashboard.

While some lights, such as the check engine light, may signal a significant problem, others may only remind you that it’s time to fill your gas tank. No matter the reason, it’s crucial to research to find out what light is on and why.

It may be more difficult to identify the true problem if the ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or traction control light comes on because these systems frequently share a control module in a car.

Why Is My Abs Traction Control And Brake Light On?

If your car needs work or wants to tell you about a problem, the ABS and Traction Control lights may come on. Most of the time, their reasons are nothing to worry about, but you shouldn’t ignore them.

What could make the ABS and traction control lights come on? When the ABS and Traction Control lights come on, it’s generally because a wheel or speed sensor is broken or the ABS module has stopped working.

An OBDII reader can read the error codes that are stored in the ECU, but a mechanic needs to look at these codes to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.

Any one of the following causes could cause your ABS or traction control light to illuminate:

Because hazardous driving situations might occur at any time, looking into the traction control problem as soon as possible is crucial.

There Is A Problem With The ABS

The simplest and most frequent cause is a warning light turning on for whatever reason. An ABS controller problem may have brought this on. Between traction control and ABS, there is frequently a common control module and internal self-diagnosis system.

Consequently, the traction control light may occasionally turn on when there is a problem with the ABS. Both the traction control and ABS lights will be on in this situation.

Brake system issues, including a non-responsive pedal, might result in traction control lights. It is likely to occur since the control module and other vehicle parts between ABS and Traction Control are standard.

Battery Voltage Is Low

The ABS and traction control lights may unintentionally turn on if the battery is weak or under voltage. The battery may lose its charge, and the automobile may lose all of its power if the alternator in your car is malfunctioning.

Power outages may impact both ABS and Traction Control Systems because of their dependency on ECUs and the need for power to function, which could result in their corresponding warning lights turning on.

Dirt And Debris

If salty roads and dusty areas get inside your four-wheeler, the Traction Control won’t work properly. So, the warning light will remain on for a long time. 

The only way to turn off the traction control light is to clean the system or have a carwash do it for you. If cleaning doesn’t work, mechanics and parts stores can provide guidance.

Bad Wheel Alignment

If you accidentally bump into your car, the wheels may turn unevenly in icy circumstances. This issue, for instance, can arise from an automobile that runs into potholes and curbs too frequently. 

In this circumstance, the wheels that do not get adequate pressure will have pressure applied via ABS or Traction Control. If any systems malfunction, warning lights will turn on until the issue is fixed. 

A momentary problem will immediately resolve, and the light will return to normal. In any event, it is a sign of a more serious problem.

Defective Pump And Valve

The wheel-speed sensor in your car communicates with this pump and valve system. Unfortunately, faulty hydraulics lead to the application of the incorrect amount of braking fluid pressure to each wheel, which leads to anti-lock brakes failing.

Regular brakes flash a red warning light to let you know that your brakes are worn out or losing braking fluid. In either scenario, the primary issue must be immediately addressed, and any necessary repairs must be completed.

Faulty Steering Rack

It would help to have a steering rack to turn the wheel and supply high-pressure hydraulic fluid to your car. If this breaks down, drivers will have trouble handling tough terrain. Although rare, the traction control light may illuminate some automobiles at this location.

A Defective Steering Angle Sensor

The steering angle sensor, located inside the steering column, precisely measures the steering wheel’s angle, location, and rate of return.  Additionally, traction control lights come on when the electrical connection between the computer and the wheel develops a flaw, impairing the computer’s ability to calculate and process data properly.

Low Tire Pressure

Wheel speed is continuously monitored by ABS and traction control, which transmit the information to sensors in your automobile. Any tire with low tire pressure causes an abnormal speed to be detected by the ECU.  Its alerts might unintentionally activate if it provides false or defective information to the ABS or traction control.

The Anti-Lock Braking System Is Malfunctioning

Because the ABS and traction control frequently use the same module, a failure with one mechanism may cause light to illuminate for both systems. The traction control light could turn on if the brake system isn’t working properly.

Your Brake Fluid Levels Are Low

If the brake fluid is low, your ABS light can also turn on. These tanks in your car most likely have sensors to detect dangerously low fluid levels. Your vehicle may also drive differently if your brake fluid level is low.

Your automobile may feel slower to come to a complete stop, and the braking system may feel soft or spongy. However, you may experience additional system indicators or alerts when the brake fluid is low in addition to the ABS light.

These indicators could be quite sensitive. Therefore, a modest low reading might need a quick fix. Use the proper fluid type for your car at all times. A brake fluid leak, which is extremely dangerous, could also be indicated by the low fluid level.

Make sure to inspect the whole brake and ABS systems for any leaks. Our Christian Brothers Automotive Grant Rd experts can examine the system and look for leaks.

The Wheel Speed Sensors Are Damaged

Wheel speed sensors are also used in cars, which can gauge how quickly each wheel moves. When the wheels are traveling at various speeds or if some other irregularity is detected, the traction control may determine that a change in power is essential to equalize our wheel speed.

Additionally, there is a chance that the sensors will get filthy or break, giving a false result. Your traction control module won’t be able to determine wheel speed accurately and won’t know when to turn on the traction control system if the sensors are damaged.

Traction Control Is Off

The light might turn on as a result of disabling traction control. Although traction control is not something automakers advise drivers to disable for safety reasons, there may be some situations where a driver decides that it’s safest.

If you accidentally turned off your vehicle’s traction control, see the owner’s manual to learn how to switch it back on. Our auto repair crew is available to assist you if your vehicle’s ABS or traction control light is recently illuminated.

We’ve done much work with traction control and anti-lock braking systems. And electrical problems that can result in misleading car alerts.

Can I Ignore These Warning Lights?

If either one or both of the ABS and TCS lights come on, you should always pay attention to the warning. If both of your turn signals are on and the red brake warning light is also on, it’s very dangerous to drive because it means there’s a big problem with your brakes.

If you are on the road and encounter either situation, stop in a secure location and restart your car briefly to see if the lights will return.

This process should enable you to rule out the possibility that the warning lights were an accident. In contrast, if it starts again, stop driving and call a mechanic to diagnose the system.

If you must continue driving right away, do so gently and steer clear of abrupt braking or acceleration because these actions could cause wheel slippage.

How Much Does It Cost To Fix My ABS And TCS Lights?

There is no general idea of the cost of repairs because the causes of your light turning on can differ. However, the diagnostic test a mechanic must run comes with various expenses. Consider your geographic region and preferred mechanic (minus taxes and other expenses).

You can preview the potential issue using an OBDII scanner made specifically for your make. You typically need to install an app on your smartphone or mobile device to use complex systems.

Conclusion

Did you notice that your abs traction control and brake light on? The ABS and traction control lights turn on when the PCM in the car detects a problem, a bad wheel sensor, or other mechanical problems. These warning lights do not indicate anything serious when the primary brake light is absent. However, they might point to a serious problem.

It’s vital to remember not to freak out if you see these lights while driving because your car will still be able to brake as usual. However, slow down and apply moderate brakes if you notice the beginning of wheel slippage.

If you find yourself in this circumstance, having your OBDII scanner available is best. By pulling codes, locating triggers, and erasing the codes, the ABS and TCS lights can be turned off. If resetting the warning lights is impossible, take your car to a mechanic for comprehensive diagnosis and repairs.

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