Q: Warning lights coming on, but then go off

asked by on January 20, 2016

The Service Traction Control System and ABS lights are coming on. The brakes also feel squishy, but return to normal, the warning lights go off, and the car drives fine.

ABS Light is on Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Something in your anti-lock braking system is at fault. The fault may be anything from a sensor to a computer. Diagnosis is required with a scan tool to help determine the issue. A qualified technician, such as one from YourMechanic can assist you with diagnosis and repair.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

What does the AVG MPG feature in the message center mean?
Ever wonder just how good your car’s fuel economy is? Have you tried to measure it using math on your own? If so, you’ve likely found that your results don’t match up with how much gas your car burns on...
Fuel line leaks at carburetor
A fuel leak can be a serious concern for your Corvette. One thing I can quickly recommend is to not use teflon tape. The fuel line fitting on your Corvette’s engine is designed to seal without it. Now there are...
The car shutters, has difficulty accelerating
The flashing Check Engine Light indicates a fault that has the potential to damage the vehicle's catalytic converter (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/symptoms-of-a-bad-or-failing-catalytic-converter). The car flashes the Check Engine Light (https://www.yourmechanic.com/services/check-engine-light-is-on-inspection) to let you know that the car should be checked as soon as...
it makes a loud humming noise when you run the ac
The noise is most likely coming from the A/C blower motor in the dashboard. The blower may have excessive build up of dust collecting on the fins or has sucked something into the blower causing an imbalance to it. I...
Car lunged backward 10 feet in parking lot
My suggestion is to have a dealer look into it and see if they have a fix or even verify the cause of the complaint. You may have an active recall (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-check-if-your-car-has-recalls) for your vehicle for the acceleration problem and...
Vehicle shuts off intermittently at idle
The P0113 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/diagnostic-trouble-code-dtc-p0113-by-jay-safford) code relates to a problem with the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor. The computer is seeing a reading that is outside of its normal parameters and is causing the computer to set the code. This could also...
Car wont stay running with a new battery
Hi There, It sounds like you may have a faulty voltage regulator that may be over charging your battery. You may have a failing voltage regulator that could be allowing the alternator to supply too much or too little amperage...
My car makes a knocking noise. It does it a little when I press the breaks. Sometimes I can drive it and no knocking noise then ot
Before you drive the car again, you need to find the lug wrench and check to be sure that all your wheel lugs are tight (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-tighten-lug-nuts-by-john-hege) You might have one or more loose wheels. If you don't find a problem...
I have a Fiat 500 Abarth 2015. I ran the gas too low home. I put gas. been 30 min no start
It is possible that the fuel pump could have been overheated due to the low fuel level. If the fuel pump overheats it may not work. If the fuel pump does not work the engine will not receive Fuel and...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy That Can Be Towed Behind an RV
Summer Summer is a great time for a road trip, but often travelers like bringing all the conveniences of home along, in the form of an RV. Then they tow their car behind it – sometimes this practice is called...
How Long Does a Brake Wheel Cylinder Last?
One One of the most important functions that a car performs every time that it is operated is braking. Without a properly working braking system, it would not be safe to operate your car. With all of the various components...
How to Stop on a Slippery Road Without Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS)
Slippery road conditions can make it hard to avoid obstacles, especially without ABS brakes. Keep control of your vehicle to avoid unexpected objects.