ABS Light On - Braking Fine

[IslandP5]

I did a quick search on this problem, but nothing quite matched.

The other day I noticed that my ABS light stayed on after starting the car. Unlike the other threads I've found here, the light for the hand brake is not on. It was slippy out so I tested it out and the ABS didn't kick in at all. The wheels locked and a slid to a stop. Braking on dry pavement is fine and there are no odd noises or anything that would indicate a braking problem.

What I am wondering is how worried should I be? I think I read on here that it could be a bad sensor that has turned off the ABS or maybe a bad module. But will this cause more problems with braking if I continue to drive? Or is it just simply a matter of no longer having ABS?

Any thoughts would be appreciated?

Edit: Just a thought....something I've been doing differently lately is using my hand brake each time I park. Before this I only used it when parked on a grade. I can't see why this would cause an ABS problem, but the car is now almost 8 years old so who knows.

 

[NRRfrogmanP5]

hmm i have no abs ....i have no idea. i say take it in to get looked at. if thats an option

 

[Flash5]

using the handbrake when u park wont have anything to do with it since us manual guys use it all the time. it might be a bad sensor, never had the problem before but my friend who has an sentra had a sensor go and the abs stopped working so that would be my best guess.

 

[i12drivemyMP5]

Check wheel sensors/wiring.

 

[Megazuel]

I've run into a few p5's/regular protege's that needed rear wheel speed sensors, havn't seen a front one yet. The light is just telling you that you have a problem with the ABS system only. By default, when there is a problem, your are left with only normal hydaulic braking, which is fine, cause the ABS in these cars suck and make it harder to make a controled stop, at least it does on mine. You'll need a scan tool capable of talking to the ABS system, Autozone's OBDII scanner probably won't give you anything. Plus, its nice to see data stream when diagnosing these.

 

[IslandP5]

Into the dealer soon for the next service. I'll ask about it then.


Thanks fro the infos.

 

[SpeedPro5]

yep having the same problem but i have the ABS And The Brake Light On After changing My Struts And Springs It happen.. so if anyone finds out anything it would be great or i will be heading to the dealer on tuesday