The ABS of a Volkswagen is responsible for keeping the wheels of the vehicle from locking up when the brakes have to be applied abruptly and harshly. Oftentimes, when you aren’t expecting to have to stop quickly and are driving in inclement weather, your brakes and their response are held to a higher standard. The ABS of a Volkswagen is beneficial to safe driving by keeping your wheels from locking up, which can cause hydroplaning and skidding.
So, what happens when the ABS module of your Volkswagen fails? The failure of this critical component will make your drive less safe by inhibiting the skid prevention and hydroplane avoidance it was designed for.
Breaking Down the ABS System of Your Volkswagen
A Volkswagen’s ABS System is made of two main components, which consist of an ABS module and ABS sensors. These two parts work together to read the speed of your wheels and assess the rate at which they are turning, relay this information to the ABS module, and initiate the brakes when it senses your car is going out of control. This is what allows your Volkswagen to respond to changes in road conditions quickly and efficiently.
A traction control system isn’t necessarily considered to be a part of the ABS of your Volkswagen, but it plays a critical role in allowing this setup to function properly. The traction control system receives the information transmitted from the ABS and analyzes it in a way that is useful to your Volkswagen.
Identifying When Your Volkswagen’s ABS System Becomes Unresponsive
Usually, the circumstances leading up to your Volkswagen’s ABS failure are not immediate and without warning. There are standard signs that indicate your VW’s ABS is on the fritz long before it completely malfunctions. These consist signs are comprised of:
- An Unresponsive Brake Pedal: Even though this isn’t an occurrence with every Volkswagen that has an ABS problem, it presents itself in a good majority of the cases. When the ABS is starting to fail, the brake pedal starts to become less responsive and eventually gives way. Usually, the brake pedal is characterized as slow to respond or needs to be pressed on harder to initiate stopping power.
- ABS Warning Light: This is the most obvious sign that your ABS setup is not working as it should. A warning indicator light will come on in your vehicle that shows that brake failure is likely. It is the equivalent of an engine warning light.
- Brake Pedals That Lock Up: The ABS is designed to preserve traction by keeping your wheels from turning. While this is predictable when using the ABS, when this occurs unexpectedly, it becomes a problem.
Seek Help for Your ABS Module Failure From The Experts At Manfred’s Import Auto
ABS module failure is a dangerous occurrence in your Volkswagen. Not only can it cause problems with traction and brake response, 
but it can also make your brakes take longer to depress or stay stuck completely. This is certainly an issue you want to take care of promptly. The experts at Manfred’s Import Auto are here to help correct your Volkswagen’s ABS module failure and get you safely down the road.
Serving the areas of Barrington, Crystal Lake, Fox River Grove, Lake Forest, Lake Zurich, and Cary in Illinois, Manfred’s Import Auto is a top choice for European auto repairs. We’ve been leading Cary in European auto service and repair since 1986, and we look forward to many more years helping the community drive safely.
Our mechanics have decades of experience in working on European vehicles and providing quality service and repairs. We know what it takes to properly serve our clientele and get their vehicles back in good working condition. In taking our time with every vehicle that comes into our shop, we make sure every job is a job well done.
If you’d like to see what Manfred’s Import Auto lifestyle is all about, give us a call at (847) 462-2100 to schedule an appointment. Don’t ignore signs of an ABS module failure in your Volkswagen when you could get excellent service from Manfred’s Import Auto today. Our friendly sales professionals are eager to answer your call and set up an appointment for you.
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