ABS light

[turnipsock]

When I turn on the ignition, all the yellow lights come on, but the ABS light is much brighter than the rest.

All the lights go out when the car is running.

The other day, while braking for a gaggle of ducks that walked out in front of me, the ABS kicked in...but the light didn't come on.

Any thoughts?

 

[landover]

The light does not come on when you brake .even for ducks....

 

[turnipsock]

Any idea what the light is for? and why does it glow brighter than the rest of them at start up?

 

[landover]

The light only comes on when driving to show a fault. If its not on theres no fault.

 

[Spike]

My ABS light comes on when its being activated ....

 

[pongee]

Turnipsock,

As I understand, the ABS light must light up, and then go out every time you start the car. Otherwise there is a fault.

I just performed a 'test' over the the weekend (empty wet road) to ensure that the ABS on my 92 124 260E was functional - thankfully it was, and like you, my ABS light did not flash for me.

However, I do seem to recall that the ABS light on my father's 93 124 200E (multivalve) does flash when the ABS triggers.

Hadn't notices any particular brightness differences between the idiot lights on the dashboard - maybe it is brighter due to being an essential safety system.

 

[panason1c]

Just to confirm, the ABS system performs a 'self test' every time you turn on the ignition.....the ABS light will come on during the self test cycle and then MUST go out and stay out. If the light stays on all the time, or comes on and stays on during a journey, it is indicating that there is a fault with ABS...the braking system will then revert to a 'non-ABS' system untill the fault is rectified, (you will still have completely 'normal' brakes but without anti-lock).
Not sure about the brighter lamp....perhaps the bulb was replaced at some time with a different wattage..?

 

[turnipsock]

It's probably a different wattage bulb as you say. Now I have to figure out how to get in there and I can swap bulbs around to see what happens. Any idea what the correct wattage bulb is? (and how to get in behind the dash?)

I know on my mums car, Audi A2, the ABS light flashes when it kicks in. There is some other traction control system as well and a light flashes for this ocasionally (not that there is enough power to achieve this very often).

At least I now know that if the light is on then wildlife is in danger...and to think I drive past a safari park every morning!

 

[panason1c]

If all is working well i would not worry about the brighter lamp...but, if you intend to 'sort it' then i would match the wattage of the replacement bulb with whatever wattage is in the remaining warning lamps.

....Been thinking....and....maybe you should confirm the correct ABS bulb with the dealer as possibly an incorrect wattage may have an effect on 'resistances' in the ABS electronic circuit and cause problems,.....As i said initially, if it's all currently working correctly... leave it alone!.