The Anti-Lock Braking System is an advanced braking system that prevents the wheels from locking up and skidding. It’s usually abbreviated as ABS. The ABS braking system greatly improves the control you have over your vehicle and will significantly reduce the distance needed to stop on both dry and wet roads. However, ABS brakes can increase the stopping distance on snow-covered and loose gravel roads where tire traction is not at its best.
ABS technology has been around for a very long time; the earliest anti-lock braking systems date back to the 1920s. However, ABS systems only became common on trucks and cars in the 1990s.
Each ABS brake line has a hydraulic valve controlled by the ABS module. The new ABS pump restores the pressure to the brakes once the hydraulic valves have released. Obviously, if the ABS pump fails, the result could be a catastrophic accident.
Most often, problems in the ABS system are rooted in the sensors or the sensor wiring. If your vehicle’s ABS system seems to be malfunctioning, first, check all of the wiring and the brake sensors. Be on the lookout for metal debris that could trigger a false reading to the electronic ABS controller. False readings can cause the ABS to not work when it should or to actuate when it shouldn’t.
An ABS scan tool is invaluable for diagnosing your ABS issues. If you don’t have one, any reputable repair shop will. Once the scan tool comes up with a fault code, it will make repairing the problem much easier.
