How to Reset ABS Light Without a Scan Tool

No one can deny the value and importance of ABS lights in a car. Vehicle ABS lights were essential in preventing sudden problems and accidents by getting flash-on problems.

However, the problem is that the Unnecessary turning on of the ABS light gives the driver the wrong measures, which means that without any issue, it starts blinking, which confuses the passengers and driver. 

Also, you can not even know when your car is causing the issue, and you need to resolve it because the problem is that the ABS light is malfunctioning.

Well, these need to be solved.

If you are dealing with these issues, don't ignore them; otherwise, they will lead to costly repairs and damages.

But how can you solve these bugs? 

All you have to do is go through this article. It will tell you how to reset the ABS light without the scan tool, the reason for ABS light malfunctions, and the solution.

Go ahead and Follow me down the article to get all the information.

What is ABS Light?

For those who didn't know about ABS lights: The Antilock Braking System (ABS) is a feature of modern cars that detects problems with the brakes, speed sensor, wheels, and other vehicle components.

Their purpose is to detect problems and prevent car accidents or other technical issues.

This ABS light flashes directly on the dashboard when it senses any danger or problem.

Why Do ABS Lights Turn On?

Sometimes, the ABS light turns on without any reason, which means everything functions correctly in your car, but the lights are still on.

They know that ABS lights turn on but need to learn why ABS lights turn on. ABS sensors handle so many different functions, making it tricky to figure out where the problem is happening.

Well, here are a few things that you can check to see if the cause of the ABS light blinking is correct. First, check the root cause of the problem, then solve it accordingly.

Defective Wheel Speed Sensor

Let’s start with the most common cause of ABS lights malfunction the defective wheel speed sensor.

You must check that your wheel is moving at the right speed by analyzing the brake's pressure build.

The wheel speed sensor is pointing near the wheel. But how does it work?

When this sensor notices one or two wheels running slower than the others (due to more significant brake pressure), it activates the ABS and illuminates the LED.

This sensor will get defective over time because;

1. It is close enough to the brakes, so it leads to a worn-out system after receiving heat.
2. The piece malfunctions after using the years, so it turns ABS light on unnecessarily.

UnSufficient Brake Fluid

Too little brake fluid can also cause this issue. 

When you pump the brake pedal on your vehicle, a little tube connected to the brakes feeds this fluid to the brakes, creating the pressure that activates the brakes.

So, when the fluid is insufficient, it causes damage or malfunction.

It does end here! When the ABS light senses that the car's brake fluid is insufficient for effective and fast braking, it turns on.

Rusted ABS Module

If your ABS module is facing rust over it, which affects the connection of the module with the speed sensor, then ABS will turn on without any reason.

The ABS module is quite likely to be rusted. Even a tiny amount of rust might cause this difficulty.

The system is Turned Off

You know what! You can turn your ABS System on and off. 

Usually, the dashboard indication light illuminates when you turn off the system to let you know that this critical safety feature isn't working correctly.

If only your traction control or ABS light illuminates, there's a reasonable probability your system was mistakenly switched off. 

Verify if you accidentally bumped the switch and if you haven't found it so you can consult your owner.

Low Battery Voltage

For the ABS to function correctly, it requires many sensors. 

Any interruption in a power supply to any of them will activate an ABS warning light and turn off the entire system. 

If so, you can quickly measure your battery voltage with a multimeter. 

How to Fix Vehicle ABS Light On

At that stage, You get to know the reasons why the ABS light flashed at that point, but you don’t know how to solve this error.

If you have identified the problem's source as I directed above, so you can address it head-on before resorting to a hard reset.

Refill the Brake Fluid

If your car is facing issues with brake fluid, I recommend refilling it by buying fresh brake fluid.

Once you have refilled the brake fluid, the ABS light will turn off and then not turn on again.

Still, if you are dealing with this issue, check for the replacement of the receiver, pipe, or valve, and also you can consult a mechanic.

Replace ABS System

Check out whether the whole system is defective or just one part; if one part is creating an issue, resolve it, but if it is more than one, go to replace it.

For example, if the ABS sensor and wheel speed sensor are damaged, replace the whole sensor to avoid further damage.

Go and buy an ideal ABS by telling them your car's model and year because the ABS usually doesn't fit valve assemblies.

Replacing the ABS is complicated, so I recommend consulting an expert on this process.

Check and Fix the Wheel Speed Sensor

Checking the wheel speed sensor is done using a voltmeter. Attach the voltmeter to the wheel speed sensor, then spin the wheel.

How do you get the result? I am here to explain; you have to check the voltmeter voltage.

If the voltmeter senses a difference in voltage measurement when the wheel moves, then there is no issue.

But if the voltmeter doesn't detect a change in voltage while the wheel is moving, then there is an issue with your sensor.

Reset the ABS if the problem is still not resolved.

Here are the steps to reset your ABS light.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Reset ABS Light Without Using Scan Tool

At this point, do you know why the ABS light turns on and also how you can solve these minor bugs? Now, it's time to resolve this issue by most functining steps of resetting the ABS light whenever it happens.

Follow the steps to take a hard reset without fixing the underlying issues.

Purchase a Jumper Wire

First, you need a jumper wire to start the process; you can get it as a service connector adapter kit.

Don't panic! You can easily find it at any auto-part shop.

How do you select a jumper wire for the reset?

• If this is your first time dealing with it, ask the shop owner if it will work for DLC, and also tell them your car's model and year for getting the ideal fused jumper wire to reset the ABS light.

Find and Locate DLC

Once you get the jumper wire, your next step is to look for DLC ( Data Link Connectors ) in your car.

Commonly, DLC connectors are located in these areas;

• Sometimes under the car gloves box.
• But sometimes, it is under the dash of the driver's side.
• In some brands, the DLC is situated under the hood, approximately near the intake manifold.

Here is a tip to notice: Check for DLC when your vehicle is off to avoid potential heat damage.

Attach the Jumper Wire to DLC

After that, develop the steps for connecting the jumper wire to DLC.

How to Connect Jumpers with DLC?

Let me explain!

1. Jumper wires contain wide connectors that you can fix directly into DLC.
2. Set connectors to DLC without worrying.
3. When you fix the wires, then go ahead and turn on your vehicle.
4. If the ABS light blinks to flash after a few intervals, you can then proceed.

Reset ABS System

Here is the crucial step!

Once you get the fused jumper wire connected to DLC, carefully follow the steps to end the process.

First, Begin pushing the brake pedal while not accelerating or releasing the parking brake. After pressing the button once, you should hear a click from the DLC area.

After you hear the click, press the brake pedal eight times. This process might take a little time, but it should be completed possibly soon (ideally within three seconds).

It's almost complete here!

You should no longer notice any lights flashing. If you do, repeat the pedal-pushing procedure; this should prevent the ABS light from engaging.

The ABS will occasionally stay illuminated for an extended period before flashing four times and turning off. When this happens, you can be assured that you reset the ABS light.

Remove Jumper Wire

You can now remove the jumper wires and the remainder of the cables from the DLC. The vehicle should be ready to go without any problems.

If the ABS light does not turn off or the problem continues after a few hours or days, you must fix and repair the issue directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does driving with the ABS light on pose a safety risk?

We wouldn't recommend driving your car with the ABS light on. Why? An issue with the wheels or brakes of your automobile is indicated by the ABS light.

Even if the inductions are faulty, you can not drive without checking for safety insurance.

How Much Does an ABS System Cost?

A low-cost ABS module can cost as little as $100, while a high-end unit can cost $600 or more. It also depends on your car's make, year, and model.

How can I know if my ABS Resets Successfully?

Starting your car and examining the dashboard will indicate whether or not your ABS light reset was successful. 

When you start the car engine, the ABS light should momentarily start illuminating and switch off. If the light remains turned off while driving, the reset is successful. 

However, if the ABS light turns back on, there may be a problem that requires more study.

What are the easy alternative methods to fix and reset the ABS light on?

If you want to avoid resetting your ABS hard and all the other measures mentioned, you can get help.

1. Invest in an affordable OBD2 system that can read your car's computer and tell you the exact problem with the ABS.
2. If you want to avoid interpreting a car's ABS, you can consult any experience or expert.

When Should I Replace the ABS System?

When you have fixed everything else that I mentioned, but the problem persists, it is definitely time to replace it.

Could I turn the ABS light off?

The difficulty is that the automobile manufacturer installed them for a reason. Thus, you should only reset this light if it is required for repair. Instead, you can try to fix the problem from its source.

Conclusion;

You won't encounter ABS issues repeatedly, but when they do, they must be fixed. The above points are helpful for ABS maintenance, care, and checks.

I had sum up the most common reasons of ABS lights defection and their respective solution. And last the steps of Hard Reset of ABS light.

You need to know how to reset the ABS light without a scan tool, as well as the methods and steps to repair the ABS light source problem as required.

If you follow each step strictly, you should eventually solve the issue. Make a quick attempt to solve the problem right away.