ABS sh1t out and brake problems?

[DJV]

So I was driving my car in the snow storm that happened the other week here up in the east coast (Im in NJ) and all of a sudden my brakes locked up, even though I was going like 10 mph and I slid into the car in front of me. It wasn't a large accident or anything, it just broke my license plate cover and left a paint line on the car in front of me. But after the accident, whenever I press on the brakes, I always feel like the brakes are about to lock up on me. Is this normal for the ABS to just lock up on me, I wasnt pumping the breaks or anything, they just locked up out of nowhere, I was gently pressing on the breaks and it just sh1t out on me and frankly I'm kind of worried driving the car around now so that that kind of problems dont happen again.

I've got an 09 camry LE with almost 27,000 miles on it. Is it time for a brake pad change? I haven't done it yet because my brakes aren't squealing or anything, but I mean i don't know, the car brakes pretty well its just when I press the brakes down in all the way it feels like something is sort of like blocking them or in the way, its not nearly as smooth as when I'm pressing them down the first couple of inches, when I press em down the last couple of inches, I feel like theres almost some sort of grinding? Idk sorry I can't give a better description don't know much about brakes and stuff, just wondering if you guys could give me some opinions cuz I'm a college kid and really would love to avoid any more accidents because I can't afford the insurance going up anymore.. thanks!

[Pilot0617]

Check your brake pads, fluid level and take it to the dealership and have them run an ABS diagnostic check. That is all i can think of right now and keep in mind that even do you have ABS if the road has black ice on it you can slid or your tires can lock up even by gently pressing on them.

[Donald E. George]

I always check traction on snow and ice covered roads by applying the brakes away from traffic. The ABS comes on very rapidly if traction is minimal. This with all-weather Michelins. You ABS came on because of poor traction. To put it another way,there was more friction between brake discs and pads than there was between tires and the road. Best safety feature ever mandated with the exception of air bags.

[arabianobsession]

I've always hated ABS for "locking up" like that in poor road conditions. I've almost crashed several times because of it, and I was never happier when the ABS went out on my last car, never had a problem stopping in time again.

Unfortunately, it's a normal phenomenon.

Many dealers, however, will do a free brake inspection for you, and they can tell you the condition of your pads/rotors/tires.

[DJV]

hey all! thanks for all the replies. well heres the one thing, the ABS light never went on when the breaks locked up so idk if that means something or not. yeah i'll try and get it to the dealership when I get a chance next week.

[JohnGD]

As far as pedal feel goes, it should be smooth all the way, not grinding or crunchy half way down. Especially if the '09 car is under warranty get it checked.

That said I think ABS kicks in only when the wheels turn at different speeds. If they all stop together while the vehicle slides (such as on ice), then there is nothing the ABS can do. The speedo will show 0 and the wheels aren't turning as the car slides, and ABS will think there is nothing wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I wonder how much even an electronic stability control system can help in this situation, for example, no uneven wheel lockup/traction, no oversteer or understeer (zero yaw).

[DJV]

so if anyone is interested, i went and checked my break pads, they were okay, tires were bald though so got them replaced and car is driving smoother now but when pressing on the breaks i still have some feedback. ohh well life can't be perfect. i have a huge noticeable difference when driving though with the new tires and much more traction on the road so im happy thanks all for the help! miss being active on this forum haha.

[Donald E. George]

Originally Posted by JohnGD

As far as pedal feel goes, it should be smooth all the way, not grinding or crunchy half way down. Especially if the '09 car is under warranty get it checked.

That said I think ABS kicks in only when the wheels turn at different speeds. If they all stop together while the vehicle slides (such as on ice), then there is nothing the ABS can do. The speedo will show 0 and the wheels aren't turning as the car slides, and ABS will think there is nothing wrong. Correct me if I'm wrong.

I wonder how much even an electronic stability control system can help in this situation, for example, no uneven wheel lockup/traction, no oversteer or understeer (zero yaw).

The ABS is not comparing one wheel speed to another. Each wheel sensor generates an AC sinewave . The amplitude of this sine wave begins to decrease as the wheel speed approaches zero[as in a tire skid] and the ABS system releases brake pressure to that wheel's brake caliper. This allows the wheel to rotate. The ABS unit contains eight solenoid valves. A set of make and break pressure solenoids for each wheel caliper plus a pump to maintain hydraulic line pressure. As long as the driver continues with brake pedal input,the ABS is in full control of braking as long as the road surface doesn't change radically. The clattering one hears when the ABS is operating is made by the solenoids and the pump. The push back through the brake pedal is the line pressure coming back up to the master cylinder.The microchip made today's ABS possible. I believe Chrysler had a mechanicl system that never worked because of mechanicl limitations.Regards