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Is Your Car’s ABS Light On? Here’s What It Means, What Caused It, and What to Do Next

When your vehicle’s ABS light turns on, it’s easy to feel unsure about what it means for your safety. Your car may still stop normally during everyday driving, but that warning light is alerting you that your anti-lock braking system isn’t functioning properly.

Understanding what the ABS light means — and how quickly you should act — can help keep you safe on the road and prevent more expensive repairs later on.

Related article: Understanding Your Car’s Warning Lights: A Complete Guide

What Does the ABS Warning Mean?

The ABS light indicates a problem within your vehicle’s anti-lock braking system. This system helps prevent wheel lockup during hard braking and allows you to maintain steering control in emergency situations.

When the ABS light is on:

• Your regular brakes usually still work
• Your ABS function may be disabled
• Emergency braking performance may be reduced

Your vehicle’s computer has detected a problem and stored a diagnostic trouble code that needs to be read with professional scanning tools.

What Causes the ABS Light to Come On?

Common causes of an illuminated ABS light include:

• Faulty wheel speed sensors (one of the most common causes)
• Bad ABS module or pump
• Low or contaminated brake fluid
• Damaged wiring or electrical connectors
• Blown fuse or relay
• Battery or charging system issues

Because the anti-lock braking system is electronically controlled, even small electrical problems can trigger the warning light.

What Are the Symptoms of a Malfunctioning Anti-lock Braking System?

In addition to the ABS light itself, drivers may notice:

• Wheels locking up during hard braking
• Increased stopping distance on wet or slippery roads
• Loss of steering control during emergency stops
• Brake pedal pulsation or unusual braking behavior
• Traction control or stability control lights also turning on

If any of these symptoms occur, your vehicle’s braking safety may be compromised.

Is It Still Safe to Drive With the ABS Light On?

In many cases, yes — but only for short-term, cautious driving.

• Normal braking may still feel fine.
• The anti-lock braking system will likely not activate in emergencies.
• Slippery or panic-stop situations become more dangerous.

Driving long-term with the ABS light on is not recommended, especially in traffic or poor weather conditions.

How Much Does It Typically Cost to Fix a Problem with Your Anti-lock Braking System?

The cost to repair an ABS light can be anywhere from $200 to upwards of $1,000, depending primarily on the cause:

• ABS sensor replacement: Often on the lower end
• Wiring or electrical repairs: Moderate cost
• ABS module or pump replacement: Higher cost

The best way to control repair costs is early diagnosis. For example, catching a failing sensor early on is far less expensive than replacing major ABS components later.

What Should You Do When Your ABS Light Comes On?

First, it’s important to not panic. Even though the light is on, your brakes will typically still work but you should:

1. Avoid aggressive braking.
2. Schedule a professional brake inspection as soon as possible.
3. Address the issue before it affects overall brake performance.

Ignoring the ABS light won’t make it go away and could significantly impact your driving safety.

Schedule Expert Diagnostics at Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe, AZ

If your ABS light is on, the experienced technicians here at our Tempe auto repair shop can help. At Good Works Auto Repair, we provide:

• Advanced ABS diagnostics
• Honest repair recommendations
• Quality parts and professional workmanship
• Complete brake and safety system inspections

Don’t leave your driving safety to chance. Schedule your appointment today and restore confidence in your braking system so you can continue to drive smoothly AND safely.