ABS & Traction Control Lights On? A Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor is a Likely Culprit in Malaysia | MyMechanic

The Data Source for Modern Car Safety

Each wheel on your car has a small sensor that does one simple job: it constantly measures how fast that wheel is rotating. This information, however, is fundamentally important and is shared with numerous onboard computer systems.

• Anti-lock Braking System (ABS): Uses the data to detect if a wheel is locking up during heavy braking.
• Traction Control System (TCS): Compares wheel speeds to detect if a wheel is spinning under acceleration.
• Electronic Stability Control (ESC/DSC): Uses the data to detect a skid and apply individual brakes to correct it.
• Other Systems: The data is also used for Hill-Hold Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, and even the speedometer in some cars.

The Cascade Failure: Why One Fault Causes Many Lights

When one of the four wheel speed sensors fails, it stops sending a signal. The car's main computer now has a blind spot—it knows the speed of three wheels but not the fourth. Because all the safety systems listed above rely on being able to compare the speeds of all four wheels, they can no longer function reliably. As a safety precaution, they all shut themselves down, and each one illuminates its own warning light on your dashboard.

Diagnosing and Fixing the Problem on the Roadside

While there are four sensors, you don't have to guess which one is broken. A professional diagnostic scan tool can pinpoint the exact source of the fault.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

A dashboard full of warning lights can be intimidating, but it often points to a single, simple failure. A faulty wheel speed sensor is a classic example. The key is to get an accurate diagnosis quickly to confirm the problem and avoid driving without your car's essential safety features. With mobile diagnostics, MyMechanic takes the guesswork out of the equation, providing clarity and a fast solution for Singaporean drivers in Malaysia.

Frequently Asked Questions