ABS/Traction Control Warning Light

[wolverine07]

My ABS/Traction Control light came on during my 30 mins drive to work today, in addtition to the wrench light which means service, the brakes seemed to be working fine so I kept driving. When I got to the parking lot, I turned the engine off, and restarted the car. The warning lights were gone, should I still bring the car in to be serviced or was it a false reading? I recently had my brakes serviced and a drive axle nut replaced and it was running fine.

[Pete_Coach]

You should bring it in just to have the code read and find out what triggered the lights. You diod not mention the type or age of car but nonetheless it could be as little as moisture in the sensor, wire or, some dirt on the pickup.
If the ABS light comes on, and the ABS system fails, it reverts to normal braking, you will have brakes and it will be OK. The wrench light could also mean a number of things, so you should get it checked too.
Yes, as some will quickly tell you, you can get the codes read at some parts places but, if you are unaware of what they tell you or ae no mechnically inclined enough to fix the problem yourself, go to a shop.

[echlon]

Wrench light most likely Honda/Acura?

I know when I occasionally press down on my brakes too hard when I'm not moving the ABS/Traction comes on probably thinks im sliding on ice or something

[Javeman]

This is likely caused by the wheel speed sensors that are used to detect when ABS/Traction Control should kick in. If one of them fail, the ABS/Traction Control system is usually disabled and you'll have the light on your dashboard come on until you replace that sensor. Perhaps it had a glitch or got some dirt on it or something. If it doesn't come back I wouldn't worry about it.

[antichrysler]

My ABS/Traction Control light came on during my 30 mins drive to work today, in addtition to the wrench light which means service, the brakes seemed to be working fine so I kept driving. When I got to the parking lot, I turned the engine off, and restarted the car. The warning lights were gone, should I still bring the car in to be serviced or was it a false reading? I recently had my brakes serviced and a drive axle nut replaced and it was running fine.

This happened on a previous car. It was just a broken cable that was tripping out the ABS. Regardless I would get it checked out.

[wolverine07]

I drive a 2002 Cavalier LS with the Ecotech 2.2 engine, not sure if the light will come on when I go back out for my break, but it was off when I shut off my engine and restarted it.

[wolverine07]

This happened on a previous car. It was just a broken cable that was tripping out the ABS. Regardless I would get it checked out.

Will it affect my ABS?

[ES_Revenge]

My ABS/Traction Control light came on during my 30 mins drive to work today, in addtition to the wrench light which means service, the brakes seemed to be working fine so I kept driving. When I got to the parking lot, I turned the engine off, and restarted the car. The warning lights were gone, should I still bring the car in to be serviced or was it a false reading? I recently had my brakes serviced and a drive axle nut replaced and it was running fine.

Why did you have to have a drive axle nut replaced? That's not usually something that needs replacing as it just sits there, doesn't really do anything. Not like it wears with time or anything... Was the entire drive axle replaced?

The normal brake operation will not be affected when you see the ABS light come on. That will only happen when you see the brake warning light (either "BRAKE" or "(P)(!)" in red lettering) come up.

Most times, on GM cars with powertrain-only TC (what your car would have), if the ABS and traction control light come on at the same time, it's a wheel sensor/circuit. On the front you will have the toothed ring on the drive axle with the sensor sitting at a small distance away (on the rear the sensors are integral with the hub/bearings). The reason I ask if the axle was replaced is that maybe the sensor was disturbed or knocked/hit when it was replaced.

In any event you will need to see what DTC set off the light(s), to know what the problem is. Unfortunately to do that you need a Tech2 or equivalent as ABS codes are body DTCs which can't be read by generic code readers. This means a trip to a mechanic or dealership.

[ES_Revenge]

Will it affect my ABS?

When your ABS (and/or TC) light is on, those systems will not operate. Your regular brakes will continue to function fine, but be aware that you will not have ABS to prevent a lock-up condition (as long as the light is on).

[wolverine07]

Why did you have to have a drive axle nut replaced? That's not usually something that needs replacing as it just sits there, doesn't really do anything. Not like it wears with time or anything... Was the entire drive axle replaced?

The normal brake operation will not be affected when you see the ABS light come on. That will only happen when you see the brake warning light (either "BRAKE" or "(P)(!)" in red lettering) come up.

Most times, on GM cars with powertrain-only TC (what your car would have), if the ABS and traction control light come on at the same time, it's a wheel sensor/circuit. On the front you will have the toothed ring on the drive axle with the sensor sitting at a small distance away (on the rear the sensors are integral with the hub/bearings). The reason I ask if the axle was replaced is that maybe the sensor was disturbed or knocked/hit when it was replaced.

In any event you will need to see what DTC set off the light(s), to know what the problem is. Unfortunately to do that you need a Tech2 or equivalent as ABS codes are body DTCs which can't be read by generic code readers. This means a trip to a mechanic or dealership.

I had the drive axel nut replaced due to my car making a distant drilling noise when I was driving my car after my brakes were repaired, I have another post in here asking why my car was making that noise, it is possible this is the reason the ABS/TC/Wrench lights come on. Honestly I didn't feel any difference in stopping today, but it was alarming to see 3 set of lights come on for my entire commute, I drive on the highway to work and it was an uneasy drive in, when in your back of your mind your brakes might fail. Bringing in my car to the mechanic is the last thing I want to do, but if it continues I have no choice I guess. Thnx for the feedback.

[Dr. Octagonecologyst]

I had a similar problem on my '05 Chrysler Pacifica, ABS/Traction control lights were going on and off. When the lights were off, the ABS and Traction Control would kick in when they were not supposed to, and the light would be triggered.

It turned out to be a wheel bearing on my right rear wheel, and it cost about $250 - $300 (can't remember exactly).

[antichrysler]

Will it affect my ABS?

Yes.

Mine was a 98 Cavalier btw. Probably the same part too. It was intermittent and then one day it came on and stayed on. Cost me around $80 for the part and labor. That was also 6 or 7 years ago though.

[wolverine07]

For now my car seems to be back to normal, went out to lunch and the warning lights were gone. Brakes are stopping fine, must have been an aberration that tripped the sensors.

Tough month for my car:

1/ Car was misfiring as per engine light coming on - after a misdiagnonis and a wasted tuneup, it turned out to be the engine coil. Fixed by replacing the coil, stalling problem solved.

2/ Related to #1 replaced catalyc converter, as per correct error code and not the tune up.

3/ Brakes needed replacing when I noticed rough stopping - rotors turned out to be rusted, pad was 10% and less. New rotors and pads and rear brake adjustment service done.

4/ Distant drilling noise after repairing brakes when driving - Drive axel nut replaced.

5/ At 3000 RPM car was roaring like a wounded lion. Hole in the exhaust when replacing cat. Welded hole, purring like a kitten again.

I've been with this mechanic for awhile and he is busy because he is fair, this time there was too much misdiagnosis such as the useless tuneup but $900.00 later with an oil change, hopefully things have turned for the better.

[antichrysler]

I've been with this mechanic for awhile and he is busy because he is fair, this time there was too much misdiagnosis such as the useless tuneup but $900.00 later with an oil change, hopefully things have turned for the better.

They won't be. It's a Cavalier/GM Product.

[wolverine07]

They won't be. It's a Cavalier/GM Product.

Yeah probably true, however this car has been pretty reliable to me considering it is a GM. I wouldn't have bought it 8-9 yrs ago if I didn't get a familiy discount. It's still a pretty good car, good cd system, power everything. My brotherinlaw is an Engineer with GM and he recommended this cavalier because for this yr the LS came with the saturn engine.