After a long day, you get in your Jeep for a good drive home. You notice the ABS and traction control light in your Jeep dashboard is on.
Are you going to make it home? In this article, we’ll explore why these lights are on and what you can do about it.
What does ABS and Traction Light mean on a Jeep?
An anti-lock brake system is an electronic system that reduces the drag on your brakes. It is designed to prevent you from “locking” up your brakes, or applying so much pressure to your brakes that the axle and your wheels themselves stop turning completely.
Traction Control (TC) is an electronic system that assists with controlling the amount of traction available to the tires on a vehicle. This can be useful in wet or snow conditions to reduce the risk you experience from slipping on the road.
Jeep ABS and Traction Control Light On – Main Causes
Off-center Steering Wheel
If you are having trouble operating your jeep, you may need to adjust your steering wheel. Jeep has come a long way to make sure that their vehicles are easy to drive and maneuver.
They have developed an impressive steering system that provides a smooth, easy ride. but sometimes in some rare cases, the steering wheel loses alignment and this causes the system to disengage. If this is the case, you may notice your Jeep abs and traction control light is on.
Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
Wheel speed sensor is an important part of your Jeep‘s ABS system. It is used for detecting the speed and direction of your wheels. It sends information to your Jeep‘s computer so that it can adjust the amount of brake pressure accordingly. Sensors malfunction from time to time, but you can fix them. You will need a scan tool to read the codes and find out what the problem is with your Jeep ABS and traction control light on.
Poor Wheel Alignment
If you don‘t take your Jeep to the shop for regular tire rotations and alignment checks, you may be preventing your Jeep abs and traction control light from going off. Poor alignment can cause poor performance of your wheels.
Poor Battery Connection
If your battery isn‘t connected properly, the system may not work as it should. This can prevent you from having your Jeep ABS and traction control light on. The battery is critical in the vehicle and can throw a lot of error codes if bad, or poor/wrong connections are made this includes the battery terminals.
Summary
Although a lot of things can cause the ABS and traction light to stay on in your Jeep the most common cause is a bad wheel speed sensor. 95% of wheel speed sensors are under warranty and most service departments have the ability to fix these. If your wheel speed sensor is not out of warranty, you can easily have it replaced at a parts store or auto parts store for under $60.
Can you drive a Jeep with the ABS light on?
Yes, you can. But you should ensure that you drive moderately. If you are driving on the highway, it is best to go with a speed that is below 60 mph. In city driving, you can safely drive at about 35 mph or slower. You should also be extra attentive when it’s raining as your brakes may not work as well in bad weather conditions. That is why it is recommended that you solve the problem as fast you as you can.
What to do when Your Jeep ABS and Traction Control Light stay on?
- Use an OBD scanner:
Use a scanner for your Jeep abs and traction control light. This will allow you to read the codes related to the problem. When you get the code, you will be able to identify what is causing your Jeep ABS and traction control light to stay on. Most of the time, it is a poor wheel speed sensor that isn‘t working properly. - Replace your wheel speed sensor: You don‘t have to pay big bucks for this, as they cost only around $50. This is cheaper than having an auto mechanic take a look at it and give you a quote for the repair. You just need to know how to replace the sensors in your Jeep ABS and traction control light. If you don’t have the time or patience to do this, take your Jeep to an auto shop pro. They are trained and have the knowledge and experience to help you fix your Jeep.
Conclusion
The good thing about this is that it’s not a very big or expensive problem. You can tell the mechanic you don’t want them to put on a new wheel speed sensor. Sometimes, they may replace the whole assembly. But then again, if you have worked on your own vehicles before, you know exactly how to fix these problems without professional help.
