"ABS" lit up: Diagnosis of a malfunction of the brake system. ABS (ABS) light on: causes and what to do Abs sensor does not light

The ABS system plays a special role in the operation of the entire vehicle, as it is responsible for safety during movement. Many drivers themselves, without knowing it, use the braking system in the wrong way. As a result, the work of the ABS system is lost, which leads to an accident. Most often, drivers face such a problem in winter.

Due to slippery roads, the driver constantly brakes when the car skids. In order to understand the problem when the abs light came on and what to do in this case, you first need to know how this whole system works.

The essence of the ABS system

The ABS system was designed specifically for drivers to see their mistakes when they apply the brakes hard. In the ABS system, not all four wheels were initially programmed to lock at once. When braking hard, the wheels start to stop in turn, which reduces the likelihood of the car skidding. As a result, this reduces the speed of the car, but it should not stall.

What is included in the ABS system

• Wheel sensors that are responsible for their rotation. Each wheel has a separate sensor;
• Hydraulic block;
• A device that responds and controls the operation of the hydraulic unit itself;
• Instrument bulb abs, .

The main causes of ABS system malfunction

If the ABS light on the dashboard lights up, then this indicates a problem in the system. The driver needs to contact the technical service to find out the cause of this warning signal. When the system is working properly, the light comes on when the engine is started, and after a few seconds it goes out. This indicates that the system is working properly and is in an active state. There are times when the light is on, but the car will not start.

In this case, there are many reasons, such as:

• The problem lies in the connecting cables;
• The ABS control unit is defective;
• There is no connection with one of the sensors, which is fixed on the wheels;
• The sensor on one of the wheels or the sensors on all wheels are out of order.

As for the wire break, it can occur while the car is moving. During vibrations when driving on bad roads, cable connections begin to loosen and at some point break or even break. The driver will be able to solve the problem of this nature on their own, without seeking help from professional specialists.

If the ABS sensor light comes on due to the failure of the sensors, then this may be the fault of the debris that clogs while driving. The driver cannot solve such a problem on his own. You need to take the car to the service station. Often the reason for the sensors not working is due to the incompetence of the master at the service station. During the repair of the wheels, the sensors are constantly turned off. Only after the masters install them back, they forget to connect them to the wheels. Improper wheel alignment also causes the ABS light to come on.

With the ABS system, you need to be extremely careful, because you can break it quickly, and fixing them will take a lot of effort, time and money. If the ABS system light comes on due to a broken control unit, then this cannot be found out on your own. Only the on-board computer, which issues an error code, can save the ABS system. This code must be correctly decrypted, because it is the cause of the system failure.

If the ABS light turns on and off periodically, you should know that there is a problem with the contacts. The connection between the contacts is weak and therefore you need to inspect the wires. It is much more difficult to independently identify the cause of the constantly burning indicator.

Auto-off light bulb

Sometimes the functioning of the ABS system goes astray and in this case you can not contact the technical service for help. There is a simple way to do this. It is required to accelerate on a flat stretch of road at an increased speed, and then brake sharply. Sometimes such a procedure helps to restore a failed system and the light stops lighting up.

If this does not help, then only experts will be able to help, who will diagnose the system on a special computer and make an accurate conclusion why the ABS light comes on. It is impossible to spare money for such a service, since the safety of the life of not only the driver, but also the passengers who may be in the car depends on it.

Many Chevrolet Lacetti owners have encountered the fact that the ABS sensor warning lamp on the dashboard lights up and at the same time it does not go out for a long time. What are the causes of this phenomenon, and how to identify and fix the problem.

Why is the abs light on on a Chevrolet Lacetti

ABS icon.

The ABS warning lamp lights up when there is a malfunction in the brake system or the electrical part of the ABS. .

But, it is worth highlighting the most common causes of this phenomenon:

• ABS sensors.
• Wiring.
• ABS block.
• Brake pads.
• Liquid level and airiness.
• Brain.

Elimination Methods

Dashboard of a running car without errors.

After the main causes of the ignition of the ABS warning lamp on the Chevrolet Lacetti are determined, motorists are trying to solve this problem on their own. In this part of the article, we will consider possible methods for eliminating the problem that has appeared without contacting a car service, where repairs will be quite expensive. .

The ABS warning light came on on the dashboard.

ABS sensors

The ignition of the ABS lamp on the instrument panel indicates first of all that one or more sensors do not give a signal. Thus, there are two options - why the meters failed.

ABS sensor for wheels.

The first is the failure of the ABS sensor itself . Therefore, it is worth getting to the wire block that connects the sensor circuit to the main network. Then disconnect the wires and check the operation of the meter with a multimeter. This operation must be performed with all ABS sensors that are installed on the car.

Preparation for the dismantling of the ABS sensor and its inspection.

The second is the oxidation of the connectors in the wire block . This can happen after driving in snow or when it rains. To fix the problem, you need to disconnect the block and clean the contact group. Then, it is recommended to protect the connection with special means, such as copper paste.

Wiring

The appearance of the ABS lamp signals a malfunction in the system, and the second place where it is recommended to look for a malfunction is the ABS wiring.

So, a broken wire, or damage to it, can lead to such an effect. To fix the problem, you will have to ring all the wiring with a tester and replace the damaged element.

As practice shows, most motorists produce stripping the damaged area, fastening the wires and their insulation. It is recommended to carry out not just twisting the wiring, but soldering them, in order to avoid corrosion damage, voltage drops and subsequent breaks. Insulation is best done not with electrical tape, but with a heat pipe. This will prevent moisture from entering the repair area, and, accordingly, will prevent corrosion.

ABS block

During operation, especially if the car is more than 7 years old, it may happen that The ABS unit may fail. . Determining the malfunction of an element is a rather complicated process, which not every motorist can do. Since it is necessary to have certain knowledge in automotive electrics.

The location of the ABS unit on the car.

There is no longer any talk about replacing the ABS unit, since incorrect connection of a new element can lead to its failure, therefore it is recommended to entrust such procedures to professionals. Therefore, who is not confident in his abilities, it is recommended to contact a car service with a good electrician.

brake pads

These pads should make the ABS warning light stay on all the time!

The ABS warning light comes on repeatedly when the brake pads are worn. So, it is worth checking the condition of these important elements of the car. To do this, you will have to remove all 4 wheels and check each pad separately, since the sensor could work on any of them.

Brake fluid level and air

The location of the brake reservoir under the hood.

If the previous options have been tested and no malfunctions have been found, then it is worth looking into the engine compartment and checking the brake fluid level in the system. If there is no brake fluid in the brake reservoir, then you will have to sweat a little, since the usual topping up is not enough and most likely the system is airy.

The process of bleeding the brakes.

To fix the problem, it is necessary to add fluid to pump all four wheels to expel air from the system. But, pumping the brake system will not be enough and it is necessary to reset the error that has occurred in the electronic control unit of the car.

Brain

ECU location.

Another place where a malfunction may lie remains the electronic control unit of the vehicle, or in the common people - “brains”.

As it was found out, the ignition of the ABS warning lamp is a “disease” of all Chevrolet Lacetti. In most cases, it lies precisely in the software part. So, to fix the problem, you need to connect to the computer and reset the errors.

Connection under the diagnostic line.

If this option does not help, then it is worth reflashing the control unit. As practice shows, this treats not only the problem with the ABS warning lamp, but also other common malfunctions.

conclusions

You can determine why the ABS warning lamp on the Chevrolet Lacetti caught fire on your own, without contacting a car service. The process will require a little constructive knowledge of the vehicle and time. Well, if the first factor is missing, then a direct road to a car service.

Some motorists are afraid that when the ABS is on, it somehow affects the operation of the braking system as a whole. They urgently begin to search the entire Internet in search of an answer to why the ABS light is on and what to do. But do not panic like that, the brakes on your car should be in perfect order, only the anti-lock system will not work, which, in principle, is not critical, although it helps out a lot in some emergency situations. And in order to deal with the system, I recommend reading about.

What to do if the ABS light is on?

It is worth noting that the system works normally if the ABS icon lights up when the ignition is turned on and goes out after a couple of seconds. First, What to do if the ABS light stays on is to check the fuse of this system, as well as inspect the wheel sensors.

Quite often, either the sensor connector on the hub is oxidized or the wires are frayed. And if the ABS icon is on after replacing the pads or hub, then the first logical thought is - forgot to connect the sensor connector. The presence of dirt on the sensor also contributes to the light of the indicator.

Quite often, car owners can be frightened by the appearance of an orange ABS icon after a good slip. In this case, you should not bother at all: brake sharply a couple of times and everything will pass by itself - the normal reaction of the control unit to such a situation. When ABS light is not on all the time, and periodically, then you need to inspect all the contacts, and most likely, the cause of the signal indicator lighting up can be quickly found and eliminated.

Causes of the ABS error

The main possible causes of a constant on the dashboard:

• lost contact in the connection connector;
• loss of communication with one of the sensors (possibly a wire break);
• the ABS sensor is out of order (the sensor needs to be checked with subsequent replacement);
• the crown on the hub is damaged;
• failure of the ABS control unit.

After inspection and, it would seem, eliminating the cause, it is very easy, you just need to accelerate to 40 km and brake sharply - the vibration of the pedal will make itself felt, and the icon will go out.

If a simple inspection for damage in the sensor circuit to the block did not find anything, then diagnostics will be needed to identify specific error code anti-lock brake systems. On cars where an on-board computer is installed, this task is simplified, it is only necessary to clearly understand the decoding of the code, and where a problem could arise.

Most modern and not very cars (be it Opel Astra or Subaru Legacy) have a huge amount of electronics inside, designed for maximum driving comfort, additional traffic control, and avoidance of dangerous situations. The presence of problems is reported by signaling devices, such as ESP (aka “anti-skid”), an induction speed sensor (triangle), anti-buoyancy, a handbrake indicator (exclamation mark), an ESC sensor (exchange rate control systems), an anti-lock brake system light (ABS, ABS). Sometimes the indication works by itself, for no apparent reason. The flashing of the “garland” near the speedometer causes surprise and fear, both among experienced motorists and beginners who have barely received their rights and their own car. In this article, we will consider one of the most common situations - when the ABS sensor is on.

Causes of the ABS error

Why is the ABS light on? This indicator is triggered for several reasons:

• incorrect operation of sensors in the wheels of a car;
• problems with the anti-lock braking system control unit;
• malfunction of the cables responsible for signal transmission;
• the crown on the hub (front or rear), from which the ABS reads information, has deteriorated.

The signal can turn on both when driving and before driving, when the engine starts to start. Problems are common for those who like to ride off-road - the sensors get dirty with dust, dirt, moisture, strong shaking breaks the wires. The control unit will accept such violations, the sign will light up on the dashboard instantly.

Sometimes the wrong actions of the owner of the car lead to a breakdown. Often, incorrect replacement of parts (wheel bearing, CV joint, pads, and so on) causes the system to flash. With it, at the same time, handbrake indicators, ACP, anti-skid and other “anti” indicators can spark on the dashboard. In this case, it is necessary to check whether the replacement was carried out correctly and whether there were any problems when reinstalling the parts.

What should I do if the ABS light comes on?

The anti-lock braking system is designed to eliminate possible problems while driving, to prevent errors on the part of the driver when working with the pedal. During heavy braking, the ABS will not allow the wheels to completely block, excluding skidding, for example, on slippery sections of the road - the car will gently reduce speed. We saw that the ABS is lit on the dashboard - reduce the pressure on the brake pedal. Then the car will do everything for you.

Important! The presence of such a system in a car is not a reason to accelerate on ice and quickly ride on a wet road. Remember that indicators, buttons and signals do not work if the driver behaves incorrectly while driving.

A failure in the ABS threatens that at the right time the system will not work properly. In the best case, the car will hit an obstacle, in the worst case, the outcome will be fatal.

Options for self-diagnosing the system if ABS is on on the instrument panel

The presence of errors in the functioning of a particular node is reported by the on-board computer. The display will show the code corresponding to the specific problem.

Important! A set of error codes, their designation vary. It all depends on the manufacturer. It is necessary to clarify the decryption in the user manual, or on the Internet.

Diagnostics can be done on your own. You can do something from the list below.

1. Self control test. On a dry section of a normal road, we accelerate to 100 km / h. We turn off the radio, close all the windows, listen carefully. Did you hear a crack (front, rear, right or left side)? Hub bearing play possible.
2. Visit to a car wash. In the process of cleaning, indicate that special attention was paid to the disks and hubs. Thorough cleaning will eliminate the spontaneous ignition of the ABS check.
3. Checking fuses. If the one that is responsible for the anti-lock braking system burned out, replace it.
4. We put the car on a jack, carefully study the sensor area, check the integrity of the cables. Noticed corrosion or dirt? We clean carefully. After that, the inclusion of the ABS should disappear.

The most reliable way (and the most expensive) is to send the car for diagnostics to a service center. Thanks to special equipment, specialists can find the fault quickly and accurately. Alternatively, you can take care of purchasing such equipment, but its price may be completely unaffordable for some.

Fixing the ABS light on

With the right timely diagnosis, getting rid of problems or adjusting the system is quite easy. During operation, the driver is able to influence the operation of the unit himself - through the pump of the ABS module or valves. In addition, a lot depends on the causes of the problems. Sometimes the ABS sensors and wires are in good order and are in the right place, and the module itself is acting up. In this case, there is only one way out - to change the module, since the manufacturer did not think about repairing it.

If the problem lies in the malfunction of the on-board computer, you must reset the settings. But, of course, only after a complete check of the sensors, cables and module.

How the ABS indicator should work

Ideally, when the system is working and there are no problems, the ABS icon is on when ignited. The machine simply checks the electronics, reporting this on the scoreboard - the buttons with indicators start blinking or glowing. After making sure that the signal passes normally, the icon starts to go out after a couple of seconds after starting. Sometimes the ABS remains on, sometimes the icon turns on at the moment of movement. This indicates a malfunction of the brake system. Check and, if necessary, repair.

Causes of spontaneous activation of the ABS malfunction indicator

When the functions are performed correctly, the ABS light is on, indicating that the wheels are unlocked. The electronic innards realized that it was necessary to start the ABS. The presence of other indicators (for example, ESP) will allow the car to cope with wet or icy roads on its own.

Usually the signal is triggered due to malfunctions. This is when the ABS error light is on:

• sensors are clogged with dust, moisture, dirt;
• rusted sensor;
• problems with the computer: the device lights up the indicators spontaneously, for no reason;
• running naughty, shifting the ABS sensor;
• fuse burned out.

The ABS sign is lit in any car, regardless of their class, purpose, or in which part the drive is installed - front, rear, or both. As an example, the Volkswagen line of the late 90s: in it, the ABS check worked, even if the malfunction did not concern the brake system.

Consequences of a faulty ABS

ABS, like any other element of the car, can wear out, losing reliability over time. The essence of the system is to ensure proper braking. Each wheel has a "personal" sensor, which allows you to gradually adjust the braking and reduce speed without blocking all the wheels at once. A system that doesn't work properly won't be able to do it.

You can turn off the ABS, but you still shouldn't do it. If the ABS does not perform its functions correctly, the suspension may be damaged. The ABS lamp, which works in an unusual situation, threatens that the driver will simply lose control of the vehicle.

What to do in various situations if the ABS light on the instrument panel is on

When the ABS check is constantly on, make sure that there are no problems with individual elements (diagnostic methods are provided above). If after the repair the light is not going to go out, it may be necessary to reflash the computer or pay attention to other components of the car - sometimes the system works if something else refuses to work.

Abandoning the system by turning it off is not the best option, especially for modern cars. In most models, the ABS is connected to the chassis, and disabling it will negatively affect the functioning of the entire vehicle.

The error code indicates a failure (open circuit or short circuit) of the speed sensor of a certain wheel (for example, rear right)

As mentioned above, each ABS wheel has a specific sensor. If an error code appears related to a sensor failure on a particular wheel, do not rush to replace the sensor. Perhaps there was a break - make sure that the network cables are intact, perhaps the wire has moved away from the connector or has completely broken.

The error code indicates the absence of a signal from a specific wheel speed sensor.

The situation is similar to the previous one, but now the problem is with the sensor. It is worth changing the sensor only with severe wear. The problem is sometimes caused by the wrong position of the sensor. Consider the place of its installation, make adjustments, start the engine and move off. If the problem persists, the icon will light up again.

Failure of pressure regulator solenoid valves

This malfunction affects the operation of the system as a whole. The icon will be permanently lit, and the ABS will not perform its functions correctly. It needs to be replaced with a working or brand new system.

Power supply fault

This case may be completely unrelated to a malfunction of the ABS (at least the diagnostics do not indicate them). The fuses need to be checked. Usually replacing the one responsible for the anti-lock system solves the problem.

No communication via CAN bus

A serious problem, because it affects the operation of electronics in general. The CAN bus is one thick wire that connects all nodes and circuits. The resulting breaks, departure from the connector, require contacting a service center. The constant absence of ABS signals and other sensors will tell you about such a breakdown.

After bearing replacement

Motorist forums contain topics with the general title: "ABS light on after replacement (insert part)". Repeatedly the problem occurs after replacing the wheel bearings. It all depends on the make and model of the car. The problem is associated with improper installation or damage in the process. It is also quite common to damage the cables or the system sensor itself. Re-opening and elimination of the problems that have arisen is required.

After hub replacement

After replacing the hub, the anti-lock system goes crazy. As in the previous situation, damage to the wires of the sensor is possible. If the elements of the system are intact, it is necessary to check the gap between the sensor and the comb of the newly installed hub - it should not exceed 1 mm.

After replacing pads

Another possible option. The installation of new pads may also be accompanied by a malfunction of the system due to a large gap, cable breaks, or damage to the sensor. It is possible that the sensor is clogged with grease - the problem is eliminated by cleaning.

Find out the reasons why this error lamp lights up, as well as what measures to take.

The driver's dashboard is your hint and a great helper in the correct, high-quality and trouble-free operation of your car. If not a single error light is on on the dashboard, then there is no reason to worry.

However, if one of the lights on the dashboard lights up, especially if it is a red error light, then you should immediately contact a car service. And it will be better if you no longer start the car and go to the car service on it, but deliver your car to the masters with the help of a tow truck.

Why did the ABS light come on?

The ABS system in the car is responsible for high-quality braking. In all modern cars, special electronic control units are installed that help the car stop (brake) correctly, competently, and efficiently. The ABS system helps with emergency braking, and when braking during a turn (anti-skid), and when braking on slippery surfaces. Without ABS, driving a car would be much more dangerous.

And once the ABS light came on, it means that something happened to the “smart braking system”, something went wrong. And perhaps the brakes may not work at all - refuse at the most inopportune moment!

ABS repair

Therefore, if the ABS light is on on the dashboard, then urgently take the car to our specialized car service. Here, your car will be taken care of by professionals who will find out why the ABS light is on, what condition the ABS unit is in, whether the ABS sensor is working correctly and what condition the entire brake system is in.

After a qualified car diagnostics, after finding out the true cause of the ABS light on, you can order a competent ABS repair from us.

Causes of the ABS light on

Here are some examples of why the ABS light on the dashboard of a car may light up:

• Faulty ABS sensor
• Faulty ABS unit
• Lost software settings in auto electronics
• Brake system faulty (mechanical dangerous fault)

However, keep in mind that in most cases the reason why the ABS light is on is very subjective. And each machine may have its own set of causes of malfunctions.

ABS block
ABS sensor

ABS block repair

You can order a complete repair of the ABS unit from us. We will be able to subtract all ABS programs on various makes and models of cars, and then reflash the unit with the correction of all violations in the settings.

We will also be able to link another ABS control unit to the auto electronics of your car in case the original ABS unit is faulty and cannot be restored.

Hephaestus car service specialists will be able to perform locksmith repairs of the brake system of the car, and make a full-fledged computer repair of the car, including the complete restoration of the smart braking system - ABS.

We offer diagnostics, repair, as well as removal - replacement - binding of a third-party ABS unit to owners of all modern car brands / models: Renault, Audi, Citroen, Peugeot, Ford, Chevrolet, Toyota, Skoda, Honda, Lada, UAZ, etc.