ABS and ESP light · Autobedrijf Willemsbrug Rotterdam

ABS light on? We find the fault

Is the ABS light on, or the ESP light as well? Then the brake system is reporting a fault. Often it is a sensor at one of the wheels. We read out the fault and test the circuit. You hear the price in advance.

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The short answer

If the ABS light is on, the anti-lock braking system is reporting a fault. The ABS and ESP lights often come on together, because they use the same wheel sensors. Usually it is a sensor, the sensor ring or the wiring at a wheel. In most cases you can drive carefully to the garage. If the brake pedal feels different or the red brake light is on as well, stop and call your roadside assistance.

To have an ABS or ESP fault fixed you can come to Autobedrijf Willemsbrug at Boterdiep 11 in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde. We read out the fault, test the sensors and the wiring and only replace what is needed. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. Call +31 10 479 00 00 during opening hours with your registration number. We work by appointment. For a quick question or check, you can walk in without an appointment.

Jump to: which light · causes and APK · frequently asked questions · directions

Which light is on?

Note which light is on and when. These situations are common:

  • The orange ABS light stays on after starting
  • The ABS and ESP lights are on together
  • The ESP light flashes briefly on a slippery road
  • The ESP light is on all the time
  • The light came on after work on the brakes or a wheel bearing
  • The red brake light is on as well

Is the red brake light on together with the ABS light? Stop in a safe place and check whether the handbrake is off. If the light is still on after that, call your roadside assistance. Read what to do when you have a breakdown on the road.

How ABS and ESP work

Each wheel has a sensor that measures how fast the wheel is turning. If you brake hard and a wheel is about to lock, the ABS regulates the brake pressure on that wheel. That way you can keep steering while braking.

The ESP uses the same sensors, plus sensors for the steering angle and the rotation of the car. If the car is about to skid, the ESP brakes one or more wheels. That is why the ESP light often comes on as well when there is an ABS fault.

In most cases the normal brakes keep working when there is a fault. Under hard braking the wheels can then lock, because the help of the ABS and ESP is gone. So drive carefully and have the fault fixed soon.

What we do when the ABS or ESP light is on

  • Read out the fault codes
  • Look at the signals from the wheel sensors during a test drive
  • Check sensors, sensor rings and connectors
  • Test the wiring
  • Check the brake fluid level and the brakes
  • Test the battery if the voltage is too low

Extra work is only done with your approval.

ABS light on: what you see and what to do

This table shows what the light often means and what is best to do. Check your car’s handbook as well, because the lights differ from make to make.

ABS and ESP light: what you see, what it can mean and what to do
What you see What it may mean What to do
ABS light stays on after starting A fault in the anti-lock braking system, often a sensor at a wheel Drive carefully and have it read out
ABS and ESP lights are on together The ESP uses the same wheel sensors as the ABS Read out the fault codes and test the sensors
ESP light flashes briefly while driving The system is intervening, for example on a slippery road Normal. Drive calmly, no hard braking or sudden steering
ESP or ESC light is on all the time A fault in the ESP, or the ESP has been switched off with the button Check whether the button has been pressed. If it is still on after that, have it read out
Light comes on after work on the brakes or a wheel bearing A sensor, the sensor ring or a connector is damaged or not fitted properly Check the sensor, sensor ring and wiring
Light sometimes comes on and then goes off again A poor contact in the wiring or a dirty sensor Test the wiring and connectors
Red brake light is on together with the ABS light Possibly too little brake fluid or a fault in the brake system Stop safely and call your roadside assistance

The ABS light and the APK

For cars first registered after 31 December 2017, the ABS warning may not indicate a fault at the APK (MOT). This is stated in the RDW APK manual. If the light stays on after starting, the car does not comply and fails. So have the fault fixed before the inspection. We are an RDW-approved APK station and can combine the repair with your APK.

Sensor, wiring or pump

Usually an ABS fault is caused by a sensor at a wheel, the sensor ring or the wiring. Less often the ABS pump or the control unit is the cause. Clearing a fault does not solve the problem. That is why we keep testing until we know where it is.

We work on all makes and models, including hybrid and electric cars. You are also welcome with a van or motorhome up to 3,500 kg. Our mechanics hold the GMTO certificate (the Dutch qualification for working on high-voltage systems), so they can work on hybrid and electric cars.

Why we test first

A fault code often points to a wheel, but does not say which part at that wheel is broken. A new sensor is no use if the cable is broken. That is why we test the sensor, the ring and the wiring. Then you hear what is wrong, what it costs and how long it takes.

Our repairs come with a warranty. With the quote you hear which warranty applies. Call +31 10 479 00 00 for a check or a quote.

Frequently asked questions about the ABS and ESP light

No need to click. All the answers are already open below.

What does the ABS light mean?

The ABS light means that the anti-lock braking system is reporting a fault. The ABS stops the wheels from locking when you brake hard. According to AutoScout24, the braking can then feel different. Brake carefully, drive calmly and take extra care when it is slippery. Have the cause found as soon as possible.

Can I keep driving with the ABS light on?

Yes. If only the orange ABS light is on, you can usually drive carefully to the garage. Under hard braking the wheels can then lock. Keep more distance and brake in good time. Is the red brake light on as well? Stop in a safe place and call your roadside assistance. According to the ANWB, driving on with a red brake light can be dangerous.

What does the ESP or ESC light mean?

ESP, also called ESC, is the electronic stability control. It helps to stop the car from skidding. According to AutoScout24, a flashing light means the system is intervening. If the light is on all the time, there is a fault. Then drive carefully to the garage, especially when it is slippery.

Why are the ABS and ESP lights on at the same time?

The ESP uses the same wheel sensors as the ABS. If the ABS fails, the ESP usually does not work either. That is why the lights often come on together. Often it is a sensor at one of the wheels. We read out the fault and test which sensor it is.

What is the most common cause?

Often it is an ABS sensor at one of the wheels. It measures how fast the wheel is turning. A sensor can get dirty, get damaged or develop a poor contact. The sensor ring, the wiring or a connector can also be the cause. Less often it is the ABS pump or the control unit. We find out before we replace anything.

Will my car pass the APK with the ABS light on?

No, not if it stays on. For cars first registered after 31 December 2017, the ABS warning may not indicate a fault at the APK. This is stated in the RDW APK manual. If the light stays on after starting, the car does not comply and fails. So have the fault fixed before the APK. Has your car already failed? Read more about a failed APK.

The light came on after work on my brakes or wheel bearing. How is that possible?

During work on the brakes or a wheel bearing, an ABS sensor, the sensor ring or a connector can get damaged or not be refitted properly. In many cars the sensor ring is part of the wheel bearing. We check the sensor, the ring and the wiring at that wheel.

Can I clear the fault myself?

Clearing a fault does not fix the cause. If the sensor or the wiring is faulty, the light comes back on, often after a short drive. So have the cause found.

How much does it cost to fix an ABS fault?

That depends on the cause. Sometimes it is a dirty sensor or a poor contact. Sometimes a sensor or a cable has to be replaced. Less often the ABS pump or the control unit is the cause. That is why we read out the fault first and then test the circuit. You hear the price in advance and we only start once you agree. Our repairs come with a warranty. With the quote you hear which warranty applies.

I pressed the ESP button. Is that a problem?

No, usually not. In many cars you can switch off the ESP with a button. The light then comes on. Press the button again or restart the car. If the light goes off, there is nothing wrong. If it is still on after that, have it read out.

Can a weak battery make the ABS light come on?

Yes, it can. Low voltage can cause control units to report faults, including the ABS and the ESP. This can happen after starting with a weak battery or after a jump start. If the lights do not go off by themselves, have the battery and the faults checked. Read more about battery testing.

The red brake light is on as well. What now?

Stop in a safe place. Check whether the handbrake is fully off. If the red light is still on after that, there may be too little brake fluid or a fault in the brake system. According to the ANWB, driving on can then be dangerous. Call your roadside assistance. Read more about brakes and a breakdown on the road.

How long does it take to find an ABS fault?

Reading out the codes and a first test are often quick. A fault that only occurs now and then takes more time. When you make the appointment, you hear what to expect. Read more about car diagnostics (in Dutch).

Can I bring a van or motorhome too?

Yes, up to 3,500 kg. A Volkswagen Crafter or Mercedes-Benz Sprinter up to 3,500 kg is welcome too. Read more about van repair and motorhome repair.

Do you also fix the airbag light?

No. We do not work on the airbag system. For that you can go to a garage that repairs airbag systems. We can help you with the ABS and ESP light.

Have an ABS fault fixed in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde

You can find us at Boterdiep 11 (3077 AW) in Rotterdam-IJsselmonde, close to Stadion Feijenoord (De Kuip) and exit 24 Rotterdam-Feijenoord on the A16. The A15 is a five-minute drive away. You can park for free in front of the garage if there is space. The Stadion Feijenoord tram stop (line 3) is close by.

We are also easy to reach from Barendrecht, Ridderkerk, Capelle aan den IJssel, Krimpen aan den IJssel, Hendrik-Ido-Ambacht and Zwijndrecht. We work by appointment. For a quick question or check, you can walk in without an appointment.

Plan your route to Boterdiep 11 or see our contact page.

Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 8.00 to 17.30
Saturday: 9.00 to 15.00
Sunday: closed
We are closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.

Is your ABS or ESP light on?

Call us during opening hours with your registration number. For a quick question you can also walk in. You will hear the cost in advance and we only start once you agree.

Our score is 4.8 / 5 from 235 reviews. Read what our customers say.

Also see our pages on the engine light, the oil light, brakes and car diagnostics (in Dutch).

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