Will Disconnecting Battery Reset ABS Light
Are you trying to reset the ABS light by disconnecting the battery?
Yes, you can reset the ABS light by disconnecting the battery, but you have to follow the correct procedure. First, disconnect the battery. Then press and hold the brake pedal to drain the electrical system. Next, reattach the battery cable and ride your car for a while. Now ABS light will have gone off.
In this article, I will explain to you how I reset the ABS light on my car. Then you can understand the above process step by step after a very clear explanation.
Main Components of Anti-lock Braking Systems and Their Function
First, it is important to understand the components of the ABS.
| Component | Function |
| Wheel Speed Sensors | Determine each wheel’s speed and communicate that information to the ABS control module. |
| ABS Control Module | Monitors the wheel speed sensors and calculates when the wheels are about to lock up, then sends signals to the hydraulic control unit |
| Hydraulic Control Unit | Regulates the brake pressure to each wheel individually to prevent locking up and skidding |
| Brake Lines | Provide braking fluid to the hydraulic control unit from the master cylinder. |
| Brake Pads/Rotors | Components that create friction to slow down or stop the vehicle |
Why Disconnecting the Battery Reset ABS Light?
The anti-lock braking system of a car is monitored by a microprocessor called the ABS control module. Moreover, data from the hydraulic braking system and wheel-speed sensors are analyzed by this.
So control module decides when to let up on the brakes when a wheel is ready to lock up and begin to slide.
Why ABS light comes on?
The ABS control module is also known as the central computer of ABS. When there is a problem with the antilock braking system, the control module turns the ABS light on. Sometimes ABS light turns on because of small problems such as low power or temporary electric short.
ABS Control Module Restarts
When the battery is disconnected, the ABS control module is turned off due to lack of power. After we reconnect the battery, it gets a fresh start and analyzes the system again. So, ABS light goes off if it is turned on due to the module’s wrong signal.
Note: If there is a problem associated with ABS, we should fix it before resetting the light. If not light will come on again.
Why is ABS necessary?
No matter what pace the car is traveling at, ordinary braking (without ABS) causes the wheels to lock up when you press the brake pedal. This happens because the brake pads are pressing firmly against the wheel discs.
The vehicle skids because of the momentum it has gained since the wheels can no longer be turned. Hence, the driver is unable to contol the vehicle. Accidents caused by this can be fatal.
How Do I Know When ABS Brakes are Activated?
The system quickly applies and releases the brakes to prevent the wheels from locking up while the ABS brakes are engaged, which may cause the driver to experience a pulsing or vibrating sensation in the brake pedal.
How do I Reset ABS Light by Disconnecting Battery?
This is how I reset the ABS light on my car.
- First, I located the positive terminal of the car battery. It was marked with a plus sign (+) and was connected to the battery by a red cable.
- Then I used a wrench to loosen the nut that secured the positive cable to the battery terminal. I turned the wrench counter-clockwise to loosen the nut but did not remove it yet.
- Once the nut was loose, I gently wiggled the cable to loosen it from the terminal. I was careful not to touch any metal parts of the car or the battery with my wrench or my hands, as this could cause a short circuit.
- Next, I carefully lifted it away from the battery terminal and secured it so that it didn’t accidentally touch the terminal again.
This short video will help you with disconnecting the battery.
- After that, I pressed the brake pedal down for a few seconds to deplete the electrical system of the car. This led to a reset of the main computer.
- I then reattached the battery cable.
- To give my computer system time to recalibrate, I started and continued to drive the car for 30 seconds. Done! ABS light was reset and turned off.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS(FAQs):
What types of surfaces are ineffective for ABS?
On gravelly surfaces, in freezing conditions, or on extremely wet surfaces, ABS may not work as well. This occurs because there isn’t enough friction on such surfaces for the wheels to regain traction when the ABS partially lifts the brakes from the wheels to allow them to continue rotating.
When was ABS invented?
In the 1950s, anti-lock brakes were initially tested on railroad carriages and aircraft. Motorcycle prototypes also started using the braking system during this period to help minimize skidding and traction loss.
The first four-wheel drive Formula One car in the world was equipped with the system by the 1960s. From then on, Daimler and Mercedes-Benz started developing a system for use in automobiles.
What is the difference between ABS and TCS?
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) and TCS (Traction Control System) are two different safety features in a vehicle that work to improve the vehicle’s stability and prevent skidding or slipping.
In short, ABS is designed to help prevent the wheels from locking up during braking, while TCS helps prevent wheel slip during acceleration.
How effective are ABS brakes?
Many modern cars come equipped with antilock braking systems (ABS), which are designed to improve steering response while braking hard and shorten stopping distances on certain road surfaces.
- ABS lowers the overall crash involvement rate by 8% for trucks and SUVs and by 6% for passenger automobiles.
- Fatal crashes involving pedestrians, cyclists, or animals drop by 14% for trucks and SUVs and by 13% for cars.
- There were 12% fewer culpable fatal collisions with other vehicles on icy, snowy, or rainy roadways.
Conclusion
Resetting the ABS light by disconnecting the battery is a simple process that requires caution and attention to safety measures. I hope you have gotten enough information for your task.
