Repeating ABS Malfunction

[jlw33]

2019 JL Sport 2-door with 14k miles

My ABS keeps activating in normal operating scenarios (when coming to a stop on dry paved streets). It activates very aggressively. Sometimes it happens every few hundred miles, sometimes it happens every other time I come to a stop.

I bought the car CPO at 4K miles. I noticed that issue began to arise intermittently. Since it wasn't that frequent, I assumed it was functioning properly (maybe there was some loose gravel I couldn't see, etc.).

Over time it became more and more frequent. Eventually somewhere around 10K miles all the associated system lights came on (CEL, ABS, ESC, 4x). OK now there's definitely a problem. I'm guessing it's probably a faulty wheel sensor, no big deal. Take it to the authorized dealer for service, they check codes, ABS modules, etc. say it's the front right wheel sensor and replace it under warranty.

Within a few weeks / hundred miles, the issue starts happening again. Bring it back to the dealer. They run full diagnostics and say its the front right wheel sensor again (the new one just installed a few weeks ago). They replace the front right wheel sensor and the hub bearing as well.

Within a few more weeks / hundred miles, the issue is happening AGAIN!

Anyone else having this issue? Thoughts on solving?

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[aldo98229]

What do you mean your “ABS keeps activating?”

You feel the brake pedal pulsating and the brakes groaning in normal braking conditions?

 

[jlw33]

What do you mean your “ABS keeps activating?”

You feel the brake pedal pulsating and the brakes groaning in normal braking conditions?

yes

 

[aldo98229]

I wonder if the ABS intervenes because it senses that one of the brakes is locking up early.

You could have a broken caliper somewhere. I had this happen YEARS ago to one of my vehicles.

Still, this wouldn’t explain your dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree.

 

[jlw33]

I wonder if the ABS intervenes because it senses that one of the brakes is locking up early.

You could have a broken caliper somewhere. I had this happen YEARS ago to one of my vehicles.

Still, this wouldn’t explain your dashboard lighting up like a Christmas tree.

Yeah, this is a good point.

I actually suspected this as well and think it could still explain the dashboard lights (I guess it depends what kind of sensors are in the caliper, if any). Im planning to flag this to the dealer when I go back to them. But, I would hope that they're checking for that, especially since I've been in twice. And I think the brake pads would show the uneven wear so it'd be obvious.

 

[aldo98229]

Yeah, this is a good point.

I actually suspected this as well and think it could still explain the dashboard lights (I guess it depends what kind of sensors are in the caliper, if any). Im planning to flag this to the dealer when I go back to them. But, I would hope that they're checking for that, especially since I've been in twice. And I think the brake pads would show the uneven wear so it'd be obvious.

We tend to over-estimate the abilities of dealer techs these days.

The days when a “mechanic” would look at your vehicle are long gone. These days a “technician” will plug in the diagnostic tool and stare only at the screen; often not even looking at the involved mechanical parts for any physical evidence.

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