How To Know If Your ABS Actuator Assembly Is Failing
Shops charge a lot of money to diagnose a failing ABS actuator, but you can do it at home for free. You just need an ohmmeter, about 30 minutes of free time, and this tutorial.
The Most Common Symptoms Of A Failing ABS Actuator Assembly
The biggest symptom is an unresponsive brake pedal (or decreased brake response), but it’s general enough that it could mean a lot of things. If you want a better indicator that something’s wrong with your ABS actuator, keep an eye out for these symptoms:
- Increased effort to push the brake pedal
- ABS light coming on in the dash (usually in an amber color)
- Brakes locking up frequently
If you experience any of these symptoms, then it’s definitely worth the time to check your ABS actuator.
How To Diagnose A Failing ABS Actuator In 6 Easy Steps
The best way to do this is to measure the resistance across each valve solenoid coil terminal on the actuator. You’ll just need an ohmmeter.
- Open the hood and locate the ABS actuator. It’s usually on the left side of the engine bay.
- Clean off the terminals on the ABS actuator.
- Start the engine.
- Connect the ohmmeter ground wire to the top terminal.
- Check the reading on the ohmmeter. It should read between 4 and 8 ohms.
- Repeat with all the other terminals on the ABS actuator.
If one or more of the terminals give a reading that’s below 4 ohm or above 8 ohm, then the ABS actuator is bad and it needs to be replaced. In such a case, buy a replacement at a reputable OEM Toyota parts seller (like us – here’s our catalog of OEM parts at discounted prices).
Can I Replace A Failing Brake Actuator Myself?
Actuator assembly replacement is a job that requires good mechanical knowledge and specific programming tools for bleeding the brakes. It can also be a lengthy job, taking around 5 to 7 hours to complete. For all these reasons, we recommend a Toyota professional do the job.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Brake Actuator?
Replacement cost of an actuator assembly can be high. The parts are slightly costly, and when you add in the labor costs (this job takes a few hours) you may be looking at thousands of dollars. The best way to save on actuator replacement costs is to order parts online and take them to your local dealership for a professional install. Check out our huge selection of actuators, all at wholesale prices, ready to ship fast, and offering:
- Toyota's Genuine Parts Warranty For 12 Months/12,000 Miles
- Skid Reduction: Genuine Toyota ABS Actuators Halt Wheel Lock-Up
- Consistent Braking To Better Protect Passengers And Pedestrians
- Toyota Vehicle-Specific Design, Enabling Better Stopping Performance
- Improved Brake Pedal Responsiveness With Genuine Toyota ABS Actuators
When you're ready to get your replacement brake actuators, check out the selection at Olathe Toyota Parts Center. You can use our free VIN decoder to be certain you order exactly the parts you need. We also offer many other online resources to help you learn about your Toyota. Contact us if you have any questions, and order today.