TMM Mobile Vehicle Repairs 07989 747065

ABS warning light on?

What it means, whether it is safe to drive, and how we find and fix the fault wherever your car is parked.

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The ABS light is amber. The red brake light next to it is the more urgent one.

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) stops the wheels locking when you brake hard, so you can still steer. When the ABS light stays on, the system has found a fault and switched itself off.

Your normal brakes still work, but the anti-lock part may not, and on most cars the traction and stability control go off with it, so the car can skid under hard braking, especially in the wet. We read the ABS module with dealer-level Autel and Snap-On diagnostics, find the fault and fix it on your driveway or at work wherever we can.

ABS light or brake warning light?

The amber ABS light

  • Your normal brakes still work
  • Anti-lock, and usually traction control, may be off
  • Drive gently, leave more room and book a check soon

The red brake warning light

  • First, check the handbrake is fully off
  • If it stays on, it can mean low brake fluid or a brake fault
  • With the ABS light on as well, stop somewhere safe and call us on 07989 747065

What usually causes it

Most ABS faults are out at the wheels rather than in the ABS unit itself:

  • A faulty wheel speed sensor
  • Damaged sensor wiring or connectors
  • A cracked or dirty ABS reluctor ring
  • A worn wheel bearing with a built-in sensor ring
  • Low brake fluid
  • A blown fuse
  • An ABS pump or module fault

How we find the fault

Our diagnostics talk to the ABS module on most makes and models. They show which sensor or circuit has logged the fault, and each wheel’s speed live as the car moves, so a sensor that drops out shows up straight away. We replace the part that has actually failed, not all four.

Wheel speed sensors, wiring and reluctor rings are usually a driveway job. If the ABS pump or module itself has failed, we explain the options and give you a quote before anything is ordered.

MOT coming up?

An ABS warning light that stays on is an MOT fail. Get it sorted first, and let us look over the rest of the car with our pre-MOT checks.

A mechanic removing a car wheel with an impact wrench

ABS questions

All questions

How much does a typical repair cost?

Without the overheads of a fixed garage, our labour rates are usually lower than main dealers and many local workshops. Prices depend on the job, the make and the parts needed, but you always get a clear quote before any work starts, and servicing is fixed-price. There are no hidden call-out fees within our normal area, and we will tell you if a repair would not be worth it compared with what the car is worth.

Is it safe to drive with the ABS light on?

Usually for a short while, if the red brake warning light is off and the brakes feel normal. Your normal brakes still work, but without ABS the wheels can lock under hard braking, so leave more room and get it checked soon. If the red brake light comes on too, or the pedal feels different, stop somewhere safe and call us.

Will the ABS light fail the MOT?

Yes. An ABS warning light that stays on, or that does not come on and go out when you start the car, is a major defect, so the car will fail. Get it sorted before the test.

ABS faults fixed across the North West

We find and fix ABS faults at home, at work and at the roadside in all of these towns.

All areas we cover

Get your ABS light checked

Tell us which lights are on, how the brakes feel and where the car is parked. We will get back to you with a price and our earliest time.

Some evening and Saturday appointments available at no extra labour charge.

For example: engine light came on this morning and it feels down on power.
A photo of the warning light or the damage helps us give you a closer price.

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