How to reset brake system light on honda civic 2022

The ABS, short for anti-lock braking system, is a safety feature in Honda Civic which prevents the wheels from locking up during braking. This makes it possible to maintain steerability and directional stability even when braking hard, allowing the driver to avoid obstacles. If the ABS light illuminates in the instrument cluster of Civic, it means the anti-lock braking system has malfunctioned.

The ABS light comes on in the dashboard of Honda Civic when one or more of the wheel speed sensors have malfunctioned, brake fluid is too low, the fuse is blown or the relay is bad, tire pressure is low, or if the ABS module has developed a defect.

When the ABS light

1. Bad wheel speed sensor

Honda Civic has an ABS sensor at each wheel hub which measures the speed of the respective wheel and transmits the information to the ABS control unit. If a sensor develops a defect and sends inaccurate or no speed information, the ABS light illuminates in the instrument cluster.

Bad wheel speed sensor is one of the leading causes of ABS warning light in Civic, as they are exposed to harsh conditions due to their close proximity to the wheels.

How to check ABS sensor

It isn’t usually possible to identify the faulty ABS sensor in Civic by physical inspection. The only most reliable method of diagnosing an ABS speed sensor is by connecting an OBDII scanner to your vehicle and reading out the error codes. The error code also makes it easy to determine which sensor is affected. The faulty sensor must be replaced to resolve the issue.

Note: Make sure the code reader you are using can read your vehicle’s ABS codes. Not all readers can.

Damaged speed sensor wire, or bad connector

It is possible the sensor is functioning properly in your Civic, but the signal is interrupted due to damaged wire or corroded connector. Before replacing the sensor, the wiring and connectors of the affected sensor should be physically inspected for any signs of damage or corrosion.

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2. Low brake fluid

Excessively low level of brake fluid can trigger ABS light in Civic. Check the fluid level in the brake fluid reservoir, the level should sit near the high marking on the reservoir.

Causes of low brake fluid

In case the brake fluid level is low, topping it off should turn off the ABS warning light in Civic. But it is important to further investigate the reason for low brake fluid level. The three common causes of low brake fluid are worn brake pads, worn rotors, and a leak in the system. Check the condition of the brake pads and rotors, also see if there is any sign of fluid leak under your vehicle and on the wheel hubs.

3. Bad ABS pump or control module

The ABS pump, also called Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU), consists of an electronic and a mechanical-hydraulic part. When you brake hard at high speed and the wheels lock, the hydraulic part of the unit actuates the valves to reduce hydraulic pressure to the brake at the affected wheels. A malfunction in the ABS pump can cause the ABS light to illuminate in Civic, and a fault code is stored in the memory. Connect a diagnostic device to your vehicle to read the code.

4. Low tire pressure

Low tire pressure in one of the wheels of Honda Civic can cause the ABS light to turn on. The diameter of the wheel is reduced when its tire is underinflated, this causes the wheel to spin faster than other wheels in the vehicle. When the speed difference between the wheels is detected by the control module, an ABS fault code is triggered for the speed sensor of the wheel with low tire pressure.

TPMS warning light

When the ABS light comes on due to an underinflated tire, the low tire pressure warning light

5. Blown fuse or bad relay

A blown fuse or bad relay can cause the ABS system to stop functioning. Check the owners manual of your vehicle or the fuse box cover to find the exact location of the fuse for the ABS system. If the fuse is blown, replace it with a new one with the specified amp rating.

Is it safe to drive with ABS light on?

When the ABS light illuminates in the instrument cluster of Civic, the ABS system is disabled and the braking system acts like older traditional braking system. The braking pressure from the master cylinder to the brake calipers is undiminished. What this means is, you can brake normally with moderate braking in dry conditions. But in case of wet or snowy conditions, or when braking hard, you may lose steerability of the vehicle. Therefore, when the ABS light is on, drive with extreme caution and fix the issue as soon as possible.

The stability control light may also come on since it works with the ABS system to stabilize the vehicle by applying automatic braking to individual wheels. But, if the BRAKE light

Fix the issue

Resetting the ABS light in Civic without solving the underlying issue may not help, as the warning light will turn back on when the system again detects the fault. The light should disappear automatically after fixing the issue. If it doesn’t turn off immediately, driving your vehicle for a few miles should help.

OBDII scanner method

The proper way to reset the ABS light in Civic is by clearing the codes with an OBDII scanner. If the warning light doesn’t turn off automatically after fixing the issue, you will have to do it manually by connecting a diagnostic device and then deleting all the error codes related to the ABS system.

Disconnect the battery

If you don’t have a diagnostic device, it may be possible to reset the ABS light in Civic by disconnecting the battery for a few minutes. Remove the cable from the negative terminal of the battery first, then from the positive terminal. With the battery disconnected, press the horn button a few times and turn on the headlights to drain out all the residual electricity from the system. After about 15 minutes, reconnect the battery in reverse order: positive cable first, then negative cable.

Use OBD2 scanner for diagnosis

Since Honda Civic is equipped with on-board diagnostics (OBD), a fault diagnosis can provide initial indications of where the malfunction is located.

To begin troubleshooting, you must first connect the diagnostic tool to your Civic. The OBDII connector is usually located under the dashboard. With the tool connected, turn on the ignition. Most diagnostic devices then ask for some information about the vehicle. It is important that you enter this 100% correctly, otherwise the result of the search may be inaccurate. In addition to the vehicle make, model, and engine type, you usually also have to type in the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). Since some OBD codes are manufacturer-specific, the scanner will be able to give you more accurate information if you enter more details about your Civic.

Conclusion

There are many reasons why the ABS light is turned on in your Honda Civic. To pinpoint the cause, you must use a diagnostic tool and scan for codes. For example, if one of the speed sensors has failed, the scanner will tell you exactly which wheel sensor is causing the problem.

In any case, it is advisable for laypersons to visit a workshop. A professional mechanic can swiftly diagnose the ABS issue for you.