ABS Module

📖 YOUCANIC Automotive Glossary

ABS Module

The ABS module is the control unit for the Anti-lock Braking System, continuously monitoring wheel speed sensors on all four corners of the vehicle and comparing their readings during braking. When it detects that one or more wheels are decelerating faster than the others — indicating an impending lockup — it rapidly pulses the brake pressure to that wheel to maintain traction and allow the driver to retain steering control. A failing ABS module or wheel speed sensor triggers the ABS warning light and typically stores codes pointing to the specific corner or circuit that has failed. Common symptoms include the ABS light staying on, the traction control and stability control lights illuminating simultaneously since these systems share the same wheel speed data, the ABS activating unnecessarily at low speeds on dry pavement, and in complete failure the ABS not activating at all during hard braking — though standard braking function is typically maintained.