In the August 2006 issue of In Service Online, we briefly discussed ABS warning light operation in the "Did You Know?" section.

Brad Smith, an EVT mechanic with Kamloops Fire & Rescue in British Columbia, wrote, "Many ABS systems have the light stay on after the ignition is turned on. The light will go out after the unit senses wheel rotation." He also noted that certain "pumper trucks will also have the ABS light stay on while in pump gear and go out when the pump is shifted back to road operation."

The important point here is that the ABS warning light, like any other warning light, is trying to tell you something. You just have to know what it is. Vehicle operators and mechanics should read the manual for each apparatus to know when the ABS warning light is indicating a problem and when it is indicating a normal situation.