My ABS ligth stays on but my brakes work fine.

The ABS system is related to emergency stopping, not normal brake use, where you don't want the tires to lock-up when the brakes are hit very hard. ABS stands for Antilock Brake System. When the ABS light is on, the ABS system is not active. This means the ABS will not be Antilock when you need it. This does not mean you don't have brakes. The brakes you have are normal brakes without the added feature of antilock.

The light is on because a system fault has been detected. Most of the time this is a wheel speed sensor that has failed. Basically the system works by having 4 wheel speed sensors connected to a control unit. The control unit determines how much braking presure each wheel needs according to how much pedal presure you are applying, related to the vehicle speed, and the rotation speed of each wheel. If one wheel is spinning slower than the others that would mean it is locking up (less braking efficientcy) and the control unit then reduces the presure applied to that wheel so it doesn't lock up.

If a wheel speed sensor goes bad the entire system can't function so it shuts down and it is now a regular braking system. This means that it will work and feel fine to you, the operator. But in an emergancy, the ABS will not function and the brakes may lock up which is not as efficient as ABS.

I recommend you get it scanned for codes and find out what is wrong. It is a great safty feature that I think you are better off with, than without.

Some auto parts stores will scan your car for codes for free, like autozone and others. Call around and find that free scan. Then take it to a reputable shop, dealer, or your brother-in-law who is a master mechanic.

Good luck, and be safe!

Hi,
Take each wheel off in turn and check the condition of the Sensor cables on each connection to that sensor. At the same time check that the clearance between the sensor head,and the wheel exciter ring is no less than .015"
Regards, DT