The anti-lock brake system keeps your wheels from locking up in a panic stop or on ice, and when the ABS light is on that protection is switched off. AutoTech Clinic reads the ABS codes, tests the wheel speed sensors and tone rings, and repairs the actual fault at our shop on Michigan Ave in Dearborn.
An ABS light does not mean your brakes have failed. Your normal brakes still work. It does mean that in a hard stop on a wet or icy Michigan road, the system that keeps the wheels from skidding will not help you.
- How Long
- Diagnostics about 1 hour. Repair time depends on the fault found.
- Same Day
- Time frame confirmed before you leave the car.
- Vehicles
- Foreign and domestic, cars through trucks.
Signs You Need ABS Diagnostics and Repair
- The amber ABS light stays on after you start the car
- The traction control or stability control light is on with it
- The brake pedal pulses in normal stops when it should not
- The speedometer drops out or reads erratically
- The ABS activates on dry pavement at low speed
What We Do
- 01
Read the Stored Codes
We pull the codes from the ABS module, not just the engine computer. Generic code readers often miss ABS faults entirely.
- 02
Test the Wheel Speed Sensors
We check each sensor live against the others while the wheel turns. A sensor that reads correctly at a standstill can still drop out at speed.
- 03
Inspect Tone Rings and Wiring
Rust under a tone ring and chafed wiring at the wheel are two of the most common causes on Michigan vehicles, and both are cheaper fixes than a module.
- 04
Check the Module and Pump
If the sensors and wiring test good, we move to the hydraulic module and pump and test them properly rather than replacing on a guess.
- 05
Repair, Clear and Verify
After the repair we clear the codes, road test, and confirm the light stays off and the system self tests correctly on the next startup.
Why the ABS Light Matters on Michigan Roads
Between November and March, Dearborn streets alternate between wet, slushy and packed ice. ABS is what lets you keep steering while braking hard on that surface. Without it, a locked front wheel means the car goes straight no matter which way you turn the wheel.
Stability and traction control usually share the same wheel speed sensors, which is why those lights come on together. Fixing the ABS fault normally restores all three systems at once.
Common Causes We Find
The single most common fault we see is a front wheel speed sensor corroded in its bore, or a harness that has rubbed through near the strut. Second is rust lifting a tone ring on the axle or hub, which makes the signal gap irregular.
Module failure does happen, but it is far less common than parts catalogs would suggest. We test before we condemn an expensive part.
What Affects the Cost
We quote your vehicle specifically after inspecting it, because these are the things that move the number up or down:
- Whether the fault is a sensor, the wiring, a tone ring or the module
- Which wheel is affected and how much disassembly it takes to reach
- Rust damage to sensor mounting points, common on older Michigan vehicles
- Modules that require programming after replacement
- Whether a wheel bearing with an integrated sensor is involved
Call (313) 277-7200 with your year, make and model and we will tell you what to expect before you come in.
Why AutoTech Clinic
AAA Approved
An inspected facility that has to meet AAA standards for equipment and training.
Photos First
You see what we found and approve the price before anything is taken apart.
Same-Day Service
Parts on hand for the vehicles we see most, so you are not waiting on a delivery.