Why is my ABS and traction control light on? We are going to give about 10 reasons why this happens in your car. The ABS and Traction Control lights usually shines if your vehicle requires repair or wishes to alert you to a problem. The causes for their appearance are usually not cause for concern, but they should not be overlooked. What could turn on the ABS and traction control lights?
When the ABS and Traction Control lights comes on, it usually means that a wheel or speed sensor has failed, or that the ABS module has failed. An OBDII scanner can read fault codes stored in the ECU, but you’ll need a mechanic to test them to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
When one or both warning lights illuminate, be prepared to conduct some in-garage diagnostics or take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible. This tutorial explains what causes the ABS and Traction Control lights to illuminate, how to resolve the issue, and when to seek professional help.
Before we start, let’s briefly find out the meaning of ABS and traction control.
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ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System)
ABS is a safety feature found on both airplanes and automobiles. Its light is normally yellow, amber, or orange in color and illuminates for a few seconds each time you start on the engine as part of your vehicle’s system check. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, or NHTSA, mandated that cars have Electronic Stability Control, or ESC, which avoids wheel lock under braking and changes the front-to-rear brake bias, effective September 1, 2013.
When the ABS detects the vehicle entering an unmanageable skid, it gives the driver steering control. Wheel-mounted sensors monitor the pace at which the wheels are turning in this anti-skid feature. If it senses one wheel turning slower than the others during braking, it will interpret this as a lock-up or a possible source of steering control loss. ABS would intervene immediately by rapidly pushing the brakes on the outlier wheel, letting it to spin, and returning braking and steering control to the driver.
TCS (Traction Control System)
Traction Control, on the other hand, is a system that monitors the stability and steering performance of your car. It takes note of how your automobile grips the road and draws across its surface in the past. It proactively finds and repairs any errors if it detects anything outside of the regular patterns based on this previous data. ABS was made mandatory as a result of this, and it is now an important aspect of car safety.
Traction Control, like ABS, uses wheel-speed sensors to detect when a wheel loses traction. The light, which may be a flashing Traction Control symbol, a counterclockwise arrow around a triangle with an exclamation point, or a depiction of a car losing control, will clearly identify this. It then activates a hydraulic modulator, which slows or stops the wheel spinning. This feature comes into action in snowy or icy circumstances, when the slick surface causes one or more of your vehicle’s drive wheels to spin. The Traction Control System works in tandem with the Anti-lock Braking System, and uses the same wheel-speed sensors to detect tire slip during acceleration.
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Why Is My ABS and Traction Control Light On
Let’s now see the reasons why the ABS and traction control light comes on.
ABS Module Failure
This is the common reason for one or both caution lights to come on. It’s possible that the ABS controller has just failed. The Traction Control Light may have illuminated due to a brake system issue, such as an unresponsive brake pedal. Because the ABS and Traction Control systems use the same control module and car components, it’s going to happen.
Computer Issues
By taking over the Traction Control system, your vehicle’s central computer system plays a critical part in its effective operation. So, if your Traction Control Light comes on and no external factors are affecting the Traction Control System, it’s likely that the computer system is malfunctioning. The central computer, also known as the PCM, can suffer from mistakes or need to be reprogrammed in order to fix problems with its existing programming.
Faulty or blown fuse
A blown fuse or a broken wire between the controller and the system sensors could cause your ABS light to illuminate. When your car’s computer senses an issue, the ABS light illuminates. When a fuse blows, the PCM detects the signal and illuminates the ABS light, as well as the Check Engine Light, to alert you to a problem. If this happens, get your vehicle checked for codes to assist you figure out what’s causing it.
Faulty Wheel Speed sensor
When your wheel speed sensor fails, the ECU detects an inaccurate reading and activates the ABS light. If you suspect this is the cause of your ABS light coming on, make sure you don’t have any low brake fluid, that your wheel-speed sensor isn’t damaged or dirty, and that all of your tires are in good condition. Otherwise, this issue will arise, and your ABS light will most likely be triggered. If your braking fluid and tires are in good shape, look for codes in your car’s brake control module to help you find out what’s wrong. If you don’t have access to a computer scan tool, have a trained mechanic scan your vehicle for you.
Low Tyre Pressures
Sensors in your automobile track wheel speed and send data to the ABS and traction control systems on a continuous basis. The ECU detects an unexpected speed when one or more of your tires have low tire pressure. It may give faulty or erroneous data to the ABS or Traction Control, triggering its warning lights inadvertently.
Faulty Steering Angle Sensor
The steering angle sensor is located inside the steering column and is responsible for correctly monitoring the angle, position, and rate of return of the steering wheel. If the wiring between the Traction Control System computer and the wheel becomes faulty, the Traction Control System computer will be unable to compute and process information accurately, causing the Traction Control Light to illuminate.
Low Brake Fluid
Your vehicle may drive differently if the brake fluid level is low. As a result, your car’s braking system may seem spongy or mushy, leading it to take longer to come to a complete stop. Other system indicators, in addition to the ABS light, are likely to appear. One approach to avoid this is to use the correct fluid type for your four-wheeler. Check for any leaks in the complete braking and ABS systems if you’ve already done so and still have low brake fluid readings. If you uncover any, make sure to treat them right away because they could be highly harmful if left ignored.
Defective Steering Rack
The steering rack, which receives high-pressure hydraulic fluid and allows drivers to effortlessly direct the wheel, is one of the most important components of your car. Drivers will have difficulty handling if this becomes faulty, especially on rocky terrain. Despite its rarity, this is one location where car owners should look if the Traction Control Light lights.
Faulty Valve and Pump
This pump-and-valve system works in tandem with the wheel-speed sensor in your vehicle. When this system fails, the anti-lock mechanism is messed up because the improper amount of brake fluid pressure is applied to each wheel. When conventional brakes come on, this is often accompanied by a red warning light, indicating that your automobile has lost braking fluid or has worn-out brakes. Either root issue necessitates prompt attention and repair work.
Poor alignment
In icy conditions, where you accidently bump your car, the rotation of your wheels can become inconsistent. Alternatively, if your vehicle has had too many collisions with curbs and potholes. When this occurs, ABS or Traction Control will apply to the wheels that are experiencing insufficient pressure. If something prevents these systems from working, warning lights will illuminate and remain illuminated until the problem is resolved. If the problem is just temporary, the light will automatically reset. Otherwise, it will be a sign of a larger issue.
Debris and Dirt
Salty roads and dusty areas clog up the Traction Control system on your four-wheeler, preventing it from working properly. As a result, the warning light illuminates and remains on. The only method to get the Traction Control Light to go away and the system to work again is to clean it yourself or have it done by a carwash. If cleaning does not help, seek guidance from your local mechanic or parts store.
Weak Battery
Other warning lights, such as the ABS and Traction Control lights, may turn on accidently as a result of a weak or low-voltage battery. When your car’s alternator fails, the battery will lose charge, and the car will lose all power. Because both the ABS and the Traction Control System rely on the ECU, which requires power to operate, a sudden loss of power may transmit incorrect signals to both systems, causing their respective warning lights to illuminate.
Limp Mode
When it senses anomalous readings or a faulty electrical component or mechanical operation, the limp mode (or limp home mode) kicks in. For example, suppose your car starts performing strangely and behaving erratically. When these irregularities occur, the warning lights on your dashboard illuminate (including the ABS and Traction Control lights), extras are turned off or decreased, and transmission, speed, and RPM are limited.
You Turned Off Traction Control
One of three things could happen: you turned off Traction Control on purpose since you don’t drive on slippery conditions regularly, you’re stuck in deep muck or snow and don’t need Traction Control to get out, or you did so unintentionally. In any case, a disengaged Traction Control will cause the warning light to illuminate. You shouldn’t be startled if the warning light comes on if you shut it off on purpose. Otherwise, see your service manual for instructions on how to turn it back on, or get expert assistance if this fails.
Repairing Traction Control is not as important as repairing ABS, which is deemed more important. These concerns, however, should not be overlooked. In some vehicles, traction control replaces limited-slip differentials; turning it off makes tire slippage management difficult.
All of these faults can be stored as a pending, confirmed, or permanent code in the PCM/ECM/ECU, requiring a more capable OBDII scanner to read the code and determine the root cause of the problem. They may also only activate one or both of the warning lights.
How To Reset The ABS and Traction Control Light
After establishing what is causing the ABS and Traction Control Lights to come on and correcting the issue, you must reset the lights to guarantee that your vehicle’s safety features are operational and ready to activate in the event of another skid or slide. The instructions for resetting each of these warning lights are as follows:
Anti-Lock Braking System(ABS)
- Disconnect the positive cable from the car battery before resetting the central computer or PCM/ECM; this will exhaust the vehicle’s electrical system. To re-establish electricity, reconnect the positive cable. If this step does not permanently reset the light, it should be turned off for at least a week.
- If the light still comes on after completing step 1, look for worn-out ABS sensors and replace them by unscrewing the wheel-hub-mounted housing, disconnecting the cable, and replacing the sensors. After finishing this step, make sure to restart the computer.
- If the light stays on after you’ve completed steps 1 and 2, attach an OBDII reader to your vehicle’s diagnostics system to figure out what’s causing it to turn on. Other brake-related items may be causing the light to come on and may need to be replaced or repaired.
Traction Control System(TCS)
- Vehicle sensors, like the Check Engine Light (CEL), recheck the problem that caused the Traction Control Light and turn the TCS light off once the problem has been resolved. If your TCS or stability light remains on after repair, drive the car for a few minutes to give the vehicle’s computer enough data to confirm that traction is fine.
- Since you can manually override the Traction Control Light in situations where you need to get unstuck from deep snow or mud, remember to switch it back on when you’re done. Also, keep in mind that when the stability control system is turned off, the TCS light stays on, so make sure the other function is turned on as well.
- All wheels must be the same size and type for the wheel-speed sensors to acquire reliable readings – this will prevent uneven spinning, which could cause the Traction Control Light to turn on accidently.
- Because the Traction Control System is linked to your vehicle’s stability program, driving too fast will always result in the TCS light turning on. Moderate driving and maintaining control of the vehicle will assist in turning off the warning light.
- If the first four methods fail to reset your vehicle’s TCS light, use an OBDII scanner to do a system check on your vehicle to ensure that nothing is broken. Bring your vehicle to a competent mechanic for a comprehensive scan for the best results.
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Is it good to drive with ABS and TCS light on?
If both the TCS and ABS warning lights comes on, as well as the red main brake warning light, you should not drive the vehicle until the issue is resolved. Your entire braking system is affected, and your vehicle may not be able to stop when you need it to. Have your car towed to a shop for repairs.
How much does it cost to fix ABS and TCS?
The cost of replacing a traction control switch ranges from $82 to $94. Labor costs are expected to range between $39 and $51, with parts costing $43. Taxes and fees are not included in the estimate.
Is it safe to drive with the ABS and Traction Control Light on?
If both the TCS and ABS warning lights illuminate, as well as the red main brake warning light, you should not drive the vehicle until the issue is resolved. Your entire braking system is affected, and your vehicle may not be able to stop when you need it to. Have your car towed to a shop for repairs.
What causes the traction control light to come on?
The warning light may illuminate if the wheel-speed sensors are obstructed by road filth or debris. When the traction control warning light stays on, it implies the system isn’t assisting you in maintaining traction and has to be checked.
Why is my traction control light on?
When the ABS and Traction Control lights comes on, it usually means that a wheel or speed sensor has failed, or that the ABS module has failed. An OBDII scanner can read fault codes stored in the ECU, but you’ll need a mechanic to test them to figure out what’s wrong and how to fix it.
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