ABS Pump Repair Cost

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) in your car is a vital safety feature that vastly improves braking performance. The pumps that operate the ABS are complex devices that can sometimes have issues.

In this article, we’ll discuss how much it can cost to repair an ABS pump, what symptoms to look out for, and when to take your car to a garage.

How much does it cost to repair an ABS pump?

Repairing a faulty ABS system can cost between £200 and £2,500, depending on the cause of the problem

In some cases of ABS issues, the ABS pump can be repaired, or the problem may not be directly with the pump itself. Listed below are some possible issues with the ABS.

Contaminated brake fluid

If the brake fluid is the issue, it might cost between £60 and £200 to fix.

Because the ABS pump has very narrow channels inside, debris such as water, air, or rust particles from degrading brake lines can block it up. In some cases, a flush of the system followed by a fill and bleed with fresh fluid can resolve the issue.

Wheel sensor fault

Replacing a wheel speed sensor or ABS sensor can cost between £50 and £150.

Most ABS systems use sensors on the road wheels to detect their rotational speed. When it detects one of the wheels has stopped spinning – i.e. has started skidding – it will activate the ABS.

If one sensor has developed a fault, the system is likely to go into a fault state and display a warning message on the dashboard.

Air in the ABS system

If the system simply needs bleeding, this can cost between £40 and £120.

Brake systems are designed to be a sealed system. Air in the lines or any of the components will result in a poor pedal feel at best and brakes that barely work at worst. If air gets into the ABS pump, it can prevent it from working correctly.

Bleeding the ABS pump in many modern cars involves plugging it into the appropriate software to activate the pump and bleed out the air, so it can sometimes be a main dealer or specialist garage-type job.

What is ABS, and what does the ABS pump do?

Anti-lock braking or ABS systems work by pulsing the force applied to the brakes in order to prevent skidding. This greatly increases the performance of the brakes on wet or loose surfaces, reducing braking distances greatly.

The ABS pump, also known as the ABS modulator, module, or motor, is responsible for detecting and pulsing this braking force by communicating with the wheel speed sensors, and working in line with the braking system.

It is composed of multiple components, but all of these are susceptible to faults, through various actions such as circuitry degradation, water ingress or blockages from contaminated fluid.

How to know if your ABS pump needs replacing

In most cases, the first indicator will be an error light or warning on the dashboard; it typically appears as a circle with the letters ABS inside, or in some cases, will simply show as an amber or red error symbol.

There are three likely ways in which an ABS pump will cause a fault:

The ABS does not activate - witnessed by the wheels locking up and skidding when braking hard on loose or wet surfaces
Braking power is lost when ABS tries to activate - in some cars, a failing ABS module can cause a complete loss of braking power when the ABS tries to work
The motor operates all the time - the ABS motor provides the braking power when the ABS is working. If you notice a buzzing or humming sound accompanied by an ABS warning light, it could be that the module has a short circuit somewhere, and the motor is on constantly.

When you should take your car to the garage for ABS issues

Because ABS is so vital to your car's braking performance, especially in wet conditions, it should be treated as a priority when any issue is detected or even suspected.

If you have noticed any of the issues listed above or have a warning light on your dashboard, have the car inspected by a mechanic as soon as possible.

Not only is it a safety issue, but knowingly driving with a braking fault could land you with a hefty fine and even points on your license.

Split the cost of an ABS repair into monthly payments with Bumper's car repair finance.

How to help prevent ABS pump issues

Most ABS faults are not caused by driver error or poor maintenance, but simply degradation of the highly precise components that make up the pump. That said, there are some steps to take to avoid ABS issues.

Monitor your brake fluid level

If your car's brake fluid reservoir runs too low, it can draw air into the system, which can seriously affect braking and ABS performance.

It should also be noted that frequent fluid top-ups may be a symptom of a leaking or broken brake line -something that should be addressed immediately.

Change your brake fluid at the correct intervals

Brake fluid changes are needed because the fluid can degrade and absorb water over time. This can cause issues with both the ABS and the normal braking system.

Check your user manual to see when your brake fluid should be changed, it is typically every 2-3 years and 20,000 - 30,000 miles.

Check for water ingress under your bonnet

As part of your monthly maintenance checks, look for evidence of water ingress around your ABS pump. This can be caused by failing or missing seals that allow water to run off the windscreen when parked.

If this water is constantly leaking onto the ABS pump or other components, it can cause corrosion of the metal parts, and issues with the circuitry and electronics.

Fix your ABS with Bumper

Facing a costly ABS repair? Split your bill with Bumper's car repair finance. Bumper is completely interest-free and you can apply online before your visit to a Bumper garage.

Author - Joseph Law

Joseph has been writing about cars for over eight years and writing for Bumper for over three, blending his passion for automobiles with a talent for storytelling.

Joseph has written about engineering and cars for Autozilla, Komaspec, and several engineering manufacturers. When he's not writing or tinkering with one of his cars, Joseph dreams of owning an Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale.