Anti-lock Braking System, known as ABS, is a standard safety feature in most vehicles and it helps to prevent the wheels from locking when braking hard and to maintain the steering control under hard braking. ABS pump is a vital part of the ABS which controls the pressure of brake fluid and adjust the brake to prevent wheel lock. If your vehicle is equipped with an ABS, it is necessary to know the common symptoms that indicate that your vehicle needs the ABS pump repair. If you do not repair your ABS pump in time, it may lead to accidents. This article will discuss the common failure signs of bad ABS pump and methods of fixing ABS pump.
What is an ABS Pump?
The ABS pump is the component that regulates the brake fluid pressure to each wheel, and works in conjunction with the ABS control module and wheel speed sensors. ABS works by monitoring the speed of the wheel; when a wheel approaches locking up, the pump opens and closes the hydraulic valve, preventing the wheel from locking up and skidding out of control, and keeping the car stable and steerable under heavy braking.
Common Signs Your ABS Pump Needs Repair
Here are the symptoms of ABS pump failure so you can be able to know exactly what you are looking for. These are the most common symptoms that will show your car needs ABS pump repair.
1. ABS Warning Light
The most obvious symptom of a faulty ABS pump is the illumination of your ABS warning light on the dash. The light comes on when the ABS control module senses that something is wrong with the system. The warning light could be indicative of several faults; one of them is a bad ABS pump.
2. Unresponsive Brake Pedal
A high and unresponsive brake pedal or one that is hard to press can be an indication that your ABS pump is failing. It sends fluid to the brakes at the proper pressure, and when it fails the fluid pressure at the brakes will not be enough, and you will need to replace your ABS pump.
3. Pulsating Brake Pedal
A brake pedal pulsing when coasting (not when you’re actually slamming on the brakes) means the ABS pump is cycling when it doesn’t need to. That can be a problem with the hydraulic system or the pump, and is definitely something for a mechanic with training.
4. Noisy ABS Pump
Strange noises coming from the ABS pump, such as grinding, buzzing or clicking noises are an indication of one or more internal components wearing out or likely failure. When it comes to ABS pump noises, if you hear any such sounds coming from your ABS pump then you likely have a failed ABS pump that requires repair or an ABS pump rebuild.
5. Longer Stopping Distances
A higher stopping distance is an indication of a failing ABS pump. If your car stops farther than it did before, you know that your car’s ABS pump is not regulating brake pressure, which could endanger your life and mean a visit to a mechanic for a car repair for your ABS pump.
6. Brake Fluid Leakage
if brake fluid comes out from around the ABS pump then it is faulty .The ABS pump used hydraulic fluid . we can stop the leak and make the brakes work again after a ABS pump repair
Diagnosing and Repairing a Faulty ABS Pump
If you have any of the symptoms that we discussed above, go to the mechanic immediately. Some of the steps for diagnostics and repairing the ABS pump are given below. 1. After turning off the power, inspect the fuse. 2. Check for continuity in the resistors. 3. Examine the potentiometer for continuity from the shaft. 4. Do a continuity check between the sensor and wiring, and remove the input if there is any interference. 5. Check for continuity between the valves and wires. 6. Inspect the wires for continuity. 7. Use a multi-meter to determine the functionality of the solenoids.
1. Diagnostic Scan
First, the mechanic will connect the ABS control module to a diagnostic scanner that will read error codes and throw the information back to the mechanic’s computer. The error codes (Hydraulic Loss; Overheat; Stuck Brake; Lamp Fault etc) give us a general idea of what’s wrong, and also help to localise the faulty component that needs to be repaired. If it’s the ABS pump, we have the problem.
2. Visual Inspection
The mechanic will inspect the ABS pump and related components for wear, damage, or leaks. This provides an opportunity to confirm the diagnosis and find other issues that the ABS pump needs to be removed to repair.
3. Testing the Pump
The mechanic can test the hydraulic pressure of the ABS pump as well as the electrical connections before starting the aBS pump repair so that nothing is left in doubt about the ABS pump.
4. Repair or Replacement
In the diagnosis, the ABS pump has to repair or replace .
Replace the pump means change the abnormal internal parts which are worn out or are damaged or replace the pump completely with a new pump or remanufactured ABS pump .
Preventive Maintenance Tips
Follow the below given preventive maintenance advices to prevent ABS pump failure and ABS pump repair:
Have Your Brakes Checked Regularly: Have your brakes – including the ABS – checked by a mechanic at regular intervals to catch problems before they can cause something like ABS pump repair.
Maintain Clean Brake Fluid: Keep your brake fluid clean, at the proper level, and replace it according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. Clean brake fluid will keep your ABS pump working properly and likely eliminate the need for ABS pump repair.
Don’t Wait: Get the ABS Warning Light Checked Out Right Away: Always remember, you should get the ABS warning light checked out right away, so you can avoid further damage to your ABS system. This way, you won’t have to replace the ABS pump assembly.
Conclusion
The ABS pump is just one of many components that make your braking system work, but if you know the warning signs of failure, you can get it repaired before you lose the ability to stop your car safely. Date Created: 10/22/2019 If you experience any of these, get your ABS pump repaired by a professional. Simply keeping it maintained and responding to warning signs will keep the ABS system operating properly, so you can have confidence in its braking functions.
