melissawerner12

Scenic Tire Pressure ABS Steering Issue

Hello, I own a 2006 Renault Scenic, gasoline engine, with about 148k km on it. Recently, the tire pressure low warning keeps popping up. I checked the tires and they seem fine at first glance, no obvious punctures. I even used my tire gauge to check the pressure, and it seems within the normal range. However, the ABS lamp lights up intermittently, and the steering wheel vibrates, especially at higher speeds. Sometimes it feels like I need to put in more effort when steering, as if the power steering is failing. Anyone else experience this?

4 comment(s)

I had something similar happen with my Scenic. It's like chasing a ghost, isn't it? The tire pressure light can be triggered by more than just low pressure. Have you considered the possibility of a faulty valve in one of your tires? A tiny leak there could cause intermittent pressure drops, enough to trigger the sensor but not enough to cause a visibly flat tire. And it could explain the other symptoms, as the ABS and power steering systems are all interconnected, in some way, with the wheel speed sensors.

A faulty valve, you say? I hadn't thought of that. How would a valve issue trigger the ABS and power steering problems, though? Is there any way to check for that myself, or am I better off taking it to a shop?

Think of it like this: the car's computer is getting conflicting information. A faulty valve causing a slight pressure difference might affect the wheel speed slightly, which the ABS system interprets as a potential skid. That, in turn, can mess with the power steering's calculations. While you could try soapy water to look for bubbles around the valve stem, honestly, it's difficult to diagnose without proper equipment. I ended up taking mine to a workshop, they identified the faulty valve pretty quickly, and it resolved all the related issues. It is highly recommended you do the same.

Thanks, that's really helpful. I'll take it to a workshop then; hopefully, it's just a valve issue. I appreciate the advice. Turns out, it was indeed a defective valve in one of the tires, just as you suspected. Replaced all four for 280€, and now everything's back to normal. No more warning lights or steering issues.

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