ABS diagnostics and repair in Calgary
When the ABS light comes on, we read the codes and test the parts before we replace anything.
An ABS light means your car's anti-lock braking system has found a fault and switched itself off. Your regular brakes should still work, but the wheels can lock in a hard stop. Wow Tire & Auto Repair in NE Calgary scans the ABS codes, tests sensors and wiring, and repairs the fault.
Your anti-lock braking system (ABS) keeps the wheels from locking up when you brake hard, so you can still steer. When it sees a problem, it turns itself off and puts the ABS light on the dash. At our Calgary shop we read the stored fault codes with a proper scan tool and then test the parts the codes point to.
If the ABS light is the only one on, your normal brakes should still work. What you lose is the anti-lock part: on ice or wet pavement, a hard stop can lock the wheels. Traction and stability control often switch off along with ABS too. Get it fixed before winter if you can.
What the ABS light means, and when to stop driving
An amber ABS light on its own means the anti-lock system is disabled. You can usually drive carefully to the shop. Leave more following distance and brake earlier.
A red brake warning light is a different story. It can mean low brake fluid, a hydraulic problem or the parking brake still being on. If the red light and the ABS light are on together, or the pedal feels soft or sinks, stop driving and have the car looked at.
Common causes of an ABS fault
Most ABS problems aren't the expensive control module. The usual suspects are simpler, and they're often helped along by Calgary's salt, slush and gravel:
- A failed or dirty wheel speed sensor
- Damaged wiring or corroded connectors at a sensor
- A cracked or rusted tone ring (the toothed ring the sensor reads)
- Worn wheel bearings that affect the sensor signal
- Low brake fluid
- A blown fuse or relay
- Less often, a faulty ABS pump or control module
Why diagnosis comes first
Guessing at ABS problems gets expensive. A generic code reader often can't see ABS codes at all, and even a correct code like a wheel speed sensor fault can be caused by the sensor, its wiring, the tone ring or a bearing. We scan the system, check the live sensor data, and test the circuit before we replace anything.
Once we know the cause, we give you the price and explain what failed. If a corroded connector is the problem and the sensor is fine, we tell you that and fix the connector.
How it goes at the shop
Scan the system
We read the ABS fault codes and freeze-frame data with a scan tool that can talk to the ABS module.
Test the cause
We check sensor readings, wiring, connectors, tone rings, fluid and fuses to confirm what's wrong.
Explain and quote
You hear what failed and what it costs before we start. Quotes are free.
Repair and clear
We fix the fault, clear the codes and drive the car to make sure the light stays off.
Questions we hear a lot
Still not sure? Call 403-454-7500 and ask. It's free to ask.
Can I drive with the ABS light on?
Usually yes, carefully, if the ABS light is the only warning. Your normal brakes should still work, but anti-lock won't kick in during a hard stop, so the wheels can lock on ice or wet roads. If the red brake light is also on, or the pedal feels wrong, don't drive it.
What is the most common cause of an ABS light?
A bad wheel speed sensor, or damaged wiring to one, is the most common cause. These sensors sit near the wheels where salt, slush and gravel get at them, which is why they fail often in Calgary. Low brake fluid and a damaged tone ring are other common culprits.
Will the ABS light reset on its own?
Sometimes it goes off after the car is restarted if the fault was brief, like a sensor caked in slush. But if a fault is stored, the light usually comes back. Clearing the code without fixing the cause just hides the problem until next time.
How much does ABS repair cost?
It depends on what's failed. A corroded connector or wheel speed sensor is a much smaller job than an ABS module. That's why we diagnose first. Call 403-454-7500 for a free quote, and we'll give you a firm price once we've found the cause.
ABS light on?
Call 403-454-7500 or bring it to 404 40 Ave NE. We'll find out why and tell you what it takes to fix.