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The transmission system is very important in a car. If it starts to malfunction, that’s a serious issue that should be handled carefully. There have been questions regarding transmission problems and faulty ABS sensors.
Actually, the question is, “can ABS sensor cause transmission problems?” Now, let’s talk about ABS sensors before explaining its link with the transmission system in a car.
However, virtually all components in a car are interconnected. When one of them starts malfunctioning, it’s just about time, and the other ones follow suit, leading to a fatal breakdown of the vehicle.
Understanding ABS Sensors
ABS is the acronym for Anti-lock Brake Sensor – it is also called Wheel Speed Sensor. The work of ABS is to monitor and measure the rotational speed of a wheel; then it passes it on to ECM (Engine Control Module).
There are obviously many inactive icons on your car’s dashboard; these icons only activate (show up) when something seems to be wrong with the vehicle.
When you see the ABS sensor notification appear on your dashboard, it means that one of the wheel speed sensors is faulty (not responding). This is quite a serious issue because most modern cars’ systems are computerized.
Thus, when one thing fails within a system, the entire system might stop working. This is the case with the ABS sensor and the transmission system. In the next paragraph, we explained how the ABS affects transmission.
Can ABS Sensor Cause Transmission Issues?
The simple answer is “Yes,” ABS can cause transmission issues. You shouldn’t be confused about this; here’s the connection between the two systems.
Virtually most modern vehicles come with wheel speed sensors at each wheel. The sensors are there to monitor wheel speed and send the info to the ABS.
Also, the sensors relay the wheel speed info to the traction control system. Both the traction control system and ABS are controlled by the ECU.
Thus, when the ECU receives unnatural speed info in some specific conditions, it activates the ABS or traction control to regain control over the car.
However, these sensors are liable to failure; they can become faulty over time and send wrong information to the ECU. Hence, your transmission system might be receiving incorrect signals from the ABS, leading to transmission problems.
That said, ABS is liable to cause transmission issues. When the ABS light shows up on your dashboard, kindly take the car to a mechanic and have him troubleshoot the cause; it’s either a wheel speed sensor has gone bad, or it could be something else.
It is possible to personally troubleshoot your ABS system and discover what led to the ABS sign on your car’s dashboard. To troubleshoot the ABS system, you need a multimeter device.
What Causes the ABS Light to Show on the Dashboard?
The reason why you’re seeing the ABS light is that the system has detected an issue; therefore, the light is to notify you of a crucial problem with a component attached or integrated with your car’s Anti-Brake Lock System (ABS).
If you were driving when the ABS light came up – it doesn’t call for an instant stop. It is safe to continue driving, and when you arrive at your destination, perform a troubleshoot to ascertain the issue. Typically, the signal would be due to a faulty bad wheel speed sensor.
Other possible causes include:
- Metallic debris, dust, or dirt that may have accumulated over time due to exposure to the certain harsh elements.
- Blown fuse or damaged cables (wires that connect the ABS controller and sensors)
- Damaged wheel-speed sensor or when the sensor is covered by road grime
- The ABS controller has stopped functioning
What Are The Signs of a Bad ABS Sensor?
When you notice the following signs, it is advisable to immediately run a check on your car’s ABS system.
- Your brakes don’t seem to act very fast as usual
- You don’t seem to have perfect control over the car while driving on icy roads
Where to Find ABS Sensors in a Car?
ABS sensors are installed on every wheel in a car; if your car has four wheels, automatically, the car has four ABS sensors (also called wheel speed sensors).
These sensors are mounted on the wheels to monitor speed and send the information to the ABS computer.
How To Fix Faulty ABS Sensors
It is best to engage an auto technician or mechanic to fix ABS-related issues. However, the ABS system is computerized, so it won’t be that difficult for someone with high technical knowledge to get things done following DIY tips.
Read Also: This is What Car Brake Calipers Mounts To
Conclusion
So, can ABS sensor cause transmission problems? Yes, it can. ABS can cause trans shifting problems. We would advise that you always pay attention to the signals that appear on your car’s dashboard.
Get a troubleshooting device that can help you test your car’s systems timely.