Here is Why Your BMW ABS Light is on and Speedometer not Working?

Today's cars have special monitoring systems that monitor different process going in the car. Their purpose is to inform the user about the current status of the car and about some issues in the car. These issues includes performance issues, malfunctioning of some features, and strange behavior of different components. These systems give different warning signs by which we can get to know about the problem. Especially, the warning signs are given at dashboard. People need to know what these signs mean or what causes such signs to come up to diagnose the problem.

ABS and speedometer

ABS stands for anti-lock braking system which makes the braking safe by preventing locking of brakes. Generally when a brakes are pressed little hardly, then the braking system try to stop the wheels at once. So the wheels stop rotating within a very less time, so the condition becomes like wheels got locked up, such things can not only make the brake pads to wear quickly, but also damage the tires as the tires my get slipped due to immediate braking. There is also chance of having accidents as the vehicle loses stability and may get thrown up. This problem is solved by the Anti-lock braking system. This system simply allows the wheels to move a little distance before stopping and prevent immediate stopping of the wheels movement. The stopping distance is increased a little and it also allows you to steer while braking to avoid collisions with other vehicles.

In rare cases the anti-lock braking system affects the speedometer performance. If the anti-lock braking system is not working and the dashboard shows ABS warning light, then the speedometer would not work properly, it may get stuck to one reading or show 0 kmph.

What causes ABS light to turn on and also speedometer to malfunction?

If both the symptoms that is glowing ABS light and speedometer malfunction are shown at the same time, then here are some of the common causes.

Blown fuse

Both the ABS and the speedometer use electricity. In electrical components, fuses are used for protection against electrical hazards. These fuse get blown and protect the electrical components. If the fuse in the fuse box is blown off then the current would not pass to the ABS. The ABS would stop working and the speedometer may not work at all or behave abnormally.

Faulty speed sensor

The speed sensor are present near the wheels and they measure the speed of the vehicle by noting the wheel speed. The speed sensor then gives signals to the speedometer and the ABS system. The speedometer then shows the speed of the vehicle to the driver and ABS system gets to know about the speed of the vehicle to engage and disengage itself. Mostly, the malfunctioning of rear speed sensor causes the problem because the read speed sensor provides signals to both ABS and the speedometer.

Faulty ABS pump

There is pump in the ABS system that prevent of the locking of wheels while braking it controls the brake liners hydraulic pressure. Locking of wheels while braking can be very much dangerous, the ABS pump prevents it. But do you know? The performance of speedometer is also affected by the working of ABS pump. When the ABS pump become faulty, the speedometer may not show you proper value of your vehicle’s speed. ABS pump is also known as ABS modulator. It has become one of the most common causes of malfunctioning of speedometer and ABS light to come up.

What to do?

If your car show both the symptoms, then try restarting it first. If the warning sign still comes or again comes after some time after restarting, then get an OBD2 scanner to read the trouble codes stored in the ABS control module. Read the codes in the scanner to identify the main culprit behind the problem. Check the fuses if blown or not. The blown fuse is to be replaced. Check the 4 sensors. If any of them is damaged, then have it replaced soon because a faulty speed sensor can lead to damage of other sensors too.

Conclusion

Malfunctioning of ABS can make your car less safe, so have your car diagnosed at an experienced mechanic to avoid accidents. Diagnosis of ABS system in a car service center can give better life with driving experience.

We at European Motor Cars are rated no. 1 European service center in Las Vegas for over 30 years. The European Motor Cars is a one-stop solution for all your European motor car repair and maintenance needs.