ABS ----If ABS doesnt function Is it trouble
Ian B Walker
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The porpouse of ABS is to stop the brakes from locking up when using lots of right foot on them. Things to check are the sensors, especially the one on the rear diff. Check your fuses too. Might just have blown one. What happened? Did it fail whilst driving or was it a first thing in the morning job?
PJH
MB Enthusiast
Your vehicle is illegal because the brakes are not working correctly. As Ian says, it may be a simple fix but you should get it put right A.S.A.P.
Dieselman
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PJH said:
I'm not sure it's illegal but it will certainly fail an MOT test. The brakes are working the ABS isn't.
PJH
MB Enthusiast
I saw a programme a few years ago, possibly Police Camera Action, it showed a pic of a Ford Granada failing to stop at Red traffic lights, all four wheels locked up.Dieselman said:
Clearly the ABS had failed. They said that it was illegal.
A car can fail an MOT for mis-aligned lights, the lights DO work but it is still a fail.
Is this a grey area ?
It would fail an MOT,but if the ABS is inoperative,it's no different to a non ABS car,so I wouldn't say its illiegal...indeed the owners handbook usually says something like-proceed to dealer if the ABS light comes on.They could land themselves in hot water if they really meant to say STOP,call dealer,DO NOT drive!!!
If at any time your car is unable to pass an MOT inspection then it is unroadworthy. This includes blown bulbs, even during daylight hours!
So yes, technically if you have ABS but it's not working then it's illegal.
So yes, technically if you have ABS but it's not working then it's illegal.
Parrot of Doom
MB Enthusiast
I'm not sure thats true, you'll fail for sure if the ABS light is flickering away on the dash, but I've never seen an MOT test yet for ABS.
Personally, I'd just pull the bulb out of the dash, that way nobody will know its got ABS.
Besides, ABS doesn't make you stop any faster - it just helps the driver retain steering control of the vehicle under braking, by stopping the wheels from locking.
Personally, I'd just pull the bulb out of the dash, that way nobody will know its got ABS.
Besides, ABS doesn't make you stop any faster - it just helps the driver retain steering control of the vehicle under braking, by stopping the wheels from locking.
Ian B Walker
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If the light is flickering then surely it is a sign of a lose connection?....................... is it?
Brian WH
MB Enthusiast
Parrot of Doom said:
Sorry bad advise, don't pull the bulb, get the cause fixed.
ABS DOES stop you faster it stops the brakes locking up, thus maintaining maximum friction on the road and stopping in less distance than conventional brakes.
Not true,
The ABS is tested,there is a chart up on the wall of every MOT station,which tells you the self test proceedure,the lamp must work,then go out,either when the engine is started on some vehicles,or after a preset time.If it doesn't,its a fail.
Dieselman
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Brian WH said:
Not necessarily. ABS works by releasing the brakes then re applying them. A good driver will be able to hold the brakes just before the point of locking so will have maximum decelleration for the whole braking procedure.
I have had the same cars with and without ABS and noticed the difference when moving into the ABS vehicle.
All the above applies to dry road conditions, in the wet things may well be different in an emergency situation.
My airbag light was on during my last MOT when I enquired if this was a fail I was informed there was no requirement to have an airbag and that most airbag lights come on after a set period to have them checked at a dealer for the cartridge pressure.
The again in an mot if you have for example front fog lights and they do not work it is a fail even though you do not require them, if they are present they must be in full working order.
Re braking locking your wheels up will stop you in a shorter distance but you lose directional control in doing so.
Pete
The again in an mot if you have for example front fog lights and they do not work it is a fail even though you do not require them, if they are present they must be in full working order.
Re braking locking your wheels up will stop you in a shorter distance but you lose directional control in doing so.
Pete
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Stratman
MB Enthusiast
As with quite a few things on a car, it may not be a legal requirement to have them, but if fitted then they must work.
Suppose Joe Soap is used to just standing on the brakes when the roads are wet, letting the ABS sort it all out. If it then fails and he stands on the brakes because "that's what I always do....."
Suppose Joe Soap is used to just standing on the brakes when the roads are wet, letting the ABS sort it all out. If it then fails and he stands on the brakes because "that's what I always do....."
Sorry,no.Front foglight's are not part of the test,neither are reverse lamps,rear window wipers,or spare wheels.
As for locked wheels stopping you faster,the only time this is true is on deep freshly fallen snow,or deep gravel.All other times,a wheel on the POINT of locking is the fastest way to stop.Remember in the '80's Audi used to fit an on/off switch for the ABS for skiers,and mentioned the above facts in their adverts.
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