The Jeep Wrangler is known for its durability and off-road capabilities, but this vehicle has something more to offer. The Jeep also comes with other features that will make the driving and the ride more fun, comfortable, and safe. One security feature that you should know is the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), which assists your vehicle’s tires to maintain contact with the road while braking.
The best thing about the system is it does a self-test every time the ignition is turned on, and if it finds a problem, the light from the ABS dashboard will light, which means there is a problem with your braking system. But how to turn off the ABS light from Jeep Wrangler? Is it still safe to drive even if the light is turned on? These questions will be answered as our team will discuss the ABS light and its impact on your driving once it is turn on.
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What Happens when the ABS Light is On?
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the ABS regularly perform a self-diagnostic test when the ignition of the Jeep is turn on. Once it fails, the ABS light automatically turns on, which means something is wrong with the braking system. But to be exact, the ABS light, when turning on, indicates that the Jeep Wrangler does not have the anti-lock brakes and the overall safety it provides.
But how does the ABS system works? The Jeep Wrangler’s ABS system is a part of the security features of the vehicle. It uses sensors to determine the speed of the wheel when braking. Meanwhile, if one of the wheels will start to lock up, it will apply the maximum brake to keep it from sliding.
When a vehicle is turning, it will slow down the vehicle quickly compared to the locked wheels. Those skidding tires will also create many flat tops, which will cause danger and inconvenience to the driver. This situation is where the ABS will be helpful as it allows the driver to steer the vehicle while slowing down. The system has been around as part of the security feature of the vehicle for a long time.
3 Reasons Why the ABS Light Turns On
There are three common which will make the light turns on. Please check below:
The ABS Module
The overall Antilock Brake System works through an ABS module that controls the antilock brake system physically. Once it will be damaged and will not control the vehicle’s four brakes, the ABS light will automatically turn on. Corrosion is one of the most common reasons for an ABS module to fail.
The Wheel Speed Sensor
This part of the vehicle is responsible for monitoring the wheel speed and sending it to the vehicle’s computer system. If one wheel moves slower than the others, the wheel is on its way to lock up. The ABS will then activates that specific wheel for it to keep it from licking. However, when the sensor stops sending signals to the computer system, it will automatically turn on the ABS light.
The ABS Fluid Level
Another reason for the ABS light to turn on is when the ABS fluid level is too low. This situation will prevent it from keeping the pressure on the ABS lines, which means that without the pressure, the ABS will not do its function as it’s supposed to do.
How to Turn Off ABS Light on Jeep Wrangler
Once the ABS light is turned on on your Jeep Wrangler, the next step to do is to learn how to turn it off. When the light is turned on, the ECU has detected a faulty part in the Antilock system. The reason behind it is when the vehicle losses traction, which will also turn on another light, the traction control light.
You need to reset these lights, but you will need to check the braking system first. You need to make sure that your vehicle’s brakes are working correctly and are free from any damage and debris.
Once it is all clear, you need to reset the light by following the instructions below:
- The first step is to disconnect all the positive cables from your battery. After that, you are holding down the brake pedal will then drain the Jeep’s electrical system. The result of this action is the resetting of the Jeep Wrangler’s central computer system.
- The next step is to plug the cable in to restore the power of the vehicle. Once there is no remaining problem with the ABS system, this will enable resetting the light.
- If and when the light will be reset, changing the ABS sensor is the next best thing to do. Look for the wheel hub and check on the mounted sensor, and unscrewing it for removal.
- The next step is to unplug the wire and mount the new sensor on the wheel hub. After this, you will need to reset the computer again by following the previously mentioned instructions.
- If you still notice that the light is still on, I suggest using an On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) code reader to diagnose the issue. When the light is still on, it only means that there is still a problem surrounding the ABS. If you do not have the code reader, then the next step is to bring the vehicle to the nearest mechanical shop and seek professional help.
Please note that resetting the light as instructed should only be done if you are confident of your mechanical skill. Or else you can always take your vehicle to the mechanical shop as they have the complete tool and equipment to fix the problem.
Is it Still Safe to Drive with the ABS Light On?
The ABS prevents the wheels from locking up, which will result in skidding of the tires uncontrollably. Its primary purpose is to enhanced the control of the vehicle when doing heavy braking. The ABS does not decrease the stopping distance, but it can help, especially on slick lick and loose surfaces.
The ABS as a system also does the following:
- Regularly self-testing every time the ignition is turned on. This situation usually happens once you start the vehicle as the light will be on briefly, but it will stay on until the problem is fixed if it finds some faults. Please note that a flashing light signifies that your vehicle is just doing the self-testing—no need to worry if you see this situation.
- If the ABS light turns on while you are driving, there is something wrong with the ABS. It is not working correctly, although the brakes will still work during the drive. However, the ABS might not engage if you need an emergency stop during the driving. If you still see the light, I highly recommend asking for help immediately and let a professional mechanic fix the issue right away. Remember that the ABS is an important security feature that will enable you to control the vehicle and stop distances. So, maintaining it all the time is essential because you will never know when you need it.
- If the brake system light and the ABS light turn on simultaneously, it means that the vehicle is not safe anymore. This situation also means that there is a severe problem with the vehicle’s braking system, and continue driving may no longer be recommended as it may put your life at risk.
- If you feel that the brake pedal is pulsating, there is no problem with the ABS and your brake. The ABS combines with your vehicle’s braking system to create a pulsating motion so as not to lock up the wheels. It only means the ABs and the Brake system are working along just fine.
Driving your Jeep Wrangler when the ABS light is on is not recommended. Because this situation only means that the ABS is not working correctly, and some issues need to be fixed. Once the vehicle has the ABS light on, it may not handle the heavy braking that it was designed to do it.
If the ABS light and the brake system light are both on, this is a severe and emergency that needs you to stop driving and seek professional and mechanical help. A certified mechanic will handle these problems and make your vehicle working again on the road.
Bottomline
Learning how to turn off the ABS light in Jeep Wrangler is crucial knowledge you need to have as a Jeep owner. It is a part of the security feature of the vehicle that should not be ignored once there is an issue.
You need to know how to turn it off by yourself if you are confident with your mechanical skills or ask for assistance from a professional mechanic to help deal with the issue.