Toyota Corolla ABS Light On: Causes and Resetting Tips
Toyota Corolla vehicles are known to be reliable with several safety features, and the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) is one of them. When you start the car, the ABS light gets on and the light automatically goes off if everything is normal. But there are times when your Toyota Corolla’s ABS light remains on
So why are Toyota Corolla ABS light on even after starting the vehicle? The prominent reasons behind this ABS malfunction are
- A blown fuse
- Low tire pressure
- Faulty Hydraulic Control Unit
- Low brake fluid
- Faulty speed sensor, etc.
Here, we detail the causes and resetting tips for your convenience. Let’s dive in.
Why Toyota Corolla ABS Light On?
Now, let’s have a look at this concerning issue in detail.
Blown Fuse
The ABS fuse is a protective device. It protects the accommodated electrical circuits from getting overloaded by electricity flow. Now, if there is a fault in the fuse’s mechanism or within the relay system, the fuse encounters more current than allowed.
The result is simple; the ABS fuse gets blown up to protect the system from further damage. In such cases, the ABS light remains on.
How to Solve
The resolution process is below.
- Find the fuse’s location and associated relay system. In this case, you have to use the user manual as the fuse’s location varies depending on Corolla’s model
- Check the fuse condition. If it’s blown up, install a new one
- Check whether the ABS light is still on
- If it remains on, check the associated relay system
- Upon finding a connection issue, detach the connection and reconnect
Low Tire Pressure
Low tire pressure in the wheel(s) of your Corolla also causes the ABS light to remain illuminated. The ABS relies on precise data from wheel speed sensors to function effectively.
A significant difference in wheel speeds triggers an ABS fault code, i.e., the ABS light gets on. Here, an underinflated tire covers less ground, causing it to spin faster than the rest of the wheels. The not-same rotational speed of the wheels is detected by the ABS speed sensor, triggering a fault code. In general, you will get a code like C0221.
Finally, the ABS lid on the dashboard remains on.
How to Solve
Here’s how you can solve the issue.
- Check the data on the Tire Pressure Monitoring System
- If you see one or multiple tire pressure is less than the standard of 35 PSI, go to the nearby gas station or workshop
- Fill the tires with appropriate pressure.
Faulty Hydraulic Control Unit
The Hydraulic Control Unit, also known as the ABS pump, consists of two main parts: the electronic component and the mechanical-hydraulic component.
The electronic segment receives information from various sensors and facilitates appropriate braking intervention in specific situations.
On the other hand, if ABS detects that a wheel is locking up during hard braking, the mechanical-hydraulic unit actuates the valves. It is to release hydraulic pressure momentarily.
It allows the wheel to rotate freely again, preventing potential skidding. However, HCU malfunctions can occur for various reasons, such as electrical issues, mechanical failures, or sensor discrepancies. These issues force the ABS light to remain on.
How to Solve
By applying the below approaches, you can get rid of the issue.
- Connect the OBD 2 scanner at the vehicle’s diagnostic port
- The OBD-II scanner will communicate with the ABS control module to retrieve the stored fault code, like C1095
- Upon seeing the fault code on the scanner’s screen, you will be sure about where the fault is in the HCU system
- If the connection is faulty, do the repair work. If the circuit is burned, change the circuit. If the whole system is faulty, replace the HCU system
Faulty Speed Sensor at Wheel
Your Corolla’s Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) relies on wheel speed sensors to function effectively. These sensors are strategically placed at each wheel hub. When a sensor develops a defect or encounters adverse conditions, it directs the ABS warning light on.
Unfortunately, over time, the sensors receive corrosion, physical damage, electrical faults, etc., leading to malfunction. Consequently, the ABS light stays lit.
How to Solve
To address the faulty speed sensor issue, the following you can do.
- Connect an OBD 2 Scanner to the vehicle’s diagnostic port
- Run a scan to get fault codes. You will get codes like COO40 indicating an issue with the speed sensor
- To confirm, check the speed sensors at each wheel hub
- Upon any damaged sensor, replace that one and install a new one
- Also, check for malfunctions within the connection. Do it physically
- Upon finding fault, make the necessary corrections by rejoining the wire connection
Low Brake Fluid
An excessively low brake fluid level triggers the ABS warning light in the Toyota Corolla. Brake fluid transmits hydraulic pressure from the master cylinder to the braking components, enabling the vehicle to stop effectively.
When the brake fluid level drops below a certain threshold, it triggers the ABS warning light.
How to Solve
Below is the resolving process.
- Check the brake fluid level. There is a marking on the brake fluid reservoir
- If it is below the allowed minimum level, refill it
- We also suggest you check whether there is any leakage in the piping and reservoir and fix it accordingly
Resetting The Toyota Corolla ABS
Well, we assume after applying the above-mentioned fixes to address the causes of ABS light-on, the issue is resolved. But what to do if the light is still on even after your actions? The straightforward answer is to reset the Anti-lock Braking System.
And to reset, follow the methods below
Resetting Via OBD II Scanner
Use an OBD II Scanner to reset the ABS to switch the light off.
Step 01: Stop and start the vehicle. Do not drive. After a while, check if the light is on or off.
Step 02: Considering the light is still on, start driving at 20 km per hour for at least 5 miles. Check whether the light is on or off.
Step 03: If the light is still on, set the OBD II Scanner at the diagnostic port of the vehicle.
Step 04: Turn on the engine.
Step 05: Insert the information asked by the device. In general, you have to input information like vehicle model, engine type, VIN, etc.
Step 06: Run a scan.
Step 07: Do the necessary replacement or repair work upon receiving the fault code(s). Here, the fault code will exhibit the actual cause of the ABS light on, like low tire pressure, low brake fluid level, faulty speed sensor, etc. Apply the given resolutions in the previous sections of this article.
Step 08: Check the light is now off as the faults are cleared.
ABS Resetting Without OBD
Follow the below process.
Step 01: Detach the positive battery cable.
Step 02: Press the brake pad and keep it pressed until the restored electricity gets drained.
Step 03: It will search the central computer system of your Corolla.
Step 04: Wait for a while; after completion of the resetting, the ABS light will be gone.
Check out this YouTube video to learn more about resetting ABS :
FAQs
Here, we answer some of the most common questions regarding your Corolla ABS light issue.
Yes, you can drive with the ABS light on. But you must drive very carefully in this case. With the ABS light on, the vehicle’s braking performance is reduced, particularly during sudden or hard braking.
Some DIY methods can reset the ABS light; it is not that tough. However, it is essential to identify and address the cause of the issue accurately. If you do not know, we suggest you seek professional assistance in this regard.
Topping off brake fluid will surely turn off the ABS light if a low fluid level is the only issue. But, if there are issues like worn brake pads, rotors, or fluid leaks, you have to address those promptly to restrict the future orientation of the ABS light.
Final Words
We hope that our elaboration on the reasons for Toyota Corolla ABS light on will help you enormously. You have to identify the causes and resolve those by following the given approaches. In this case, we suggest you look forward to resolving the root causes, not just finding ways to turn off the ABS light.
However, in this case, if you have an OBD II Scanner, your job will be easier. If you do not have one, just purchase this car’s fault code reader in exchange for $30-$500 bucks. Also, you can take the vehicle to an auto repair shop to get the issue resolved.
