ABS? Traction?
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From: Mankato, MN

I'm not too concerned about this, but I'd like to know if I should be.
I was driving through the parking lot at work at about 15 mph and gently applied the brake to stop at the entrance and next thing I know traction and ABS come on and I'm doing a panic stop. There is no way the brake pedal was down far enough to trigger ABS. I went into a parking lot and got it up to 40, did a panic stop and cranked the wheel to the left and it worked perfectly fine. Anyone have any clue whats up?
I was driving through the parking lot at work at about 15 mph and gently applied the brake to stop at the entrance and next thing I know traction and ABS come on and I'm doing a panic stop. There is no way the brake pedal was down far enough to trigger ABS. I went into a parking lot and got it up to 40, did a panic stop and cranked the wheel to the left and it worked perfectly fine. Anyone have any clue whats up?
For starters, ABS is not triggered by pedal travel. It is triggered by wheel speed sensors that detect wheel skid and therein may lie your problem (if there is one). The first thing I would do is ingore it untill (if) it happens again. It may be a sensor going bad or just a loose/dirty/corroded connection. Also a corroded battery cable or poor ground can cause all sorts of electrical gremlins and false warnings. Check them first.
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From: Farmington, Minnesota =MWBF '05 SURVIVOR= =CEBF '06 SURVIVOR= =August '06 COTM=

My car does the same thing because my left front wheel speed sensor wire is split.....Which doesn't really bother me because it'* a once in a while thing, I have no lights....and I hate ABS anyways....I'd prefer it don't work,
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From: Mankato, MN

I thought ABS was brake travel and traction was wheel speed sensor. Learned something new.
Anyway thanks for the info, I think you already gave me the culprit. That effin battery has given me nothing but grief since I bought this car. Pontiac claims to have fixed it, but I think its time to just replace it.
Thanks again.
Anyway thanks for the info, I think you already gave me the culprit. That effin battery has given me nothing but grief since I bought this car. Pontiac claims to have fixed it, but I think its time to just replace it. Thanks again.
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From: Farmington, Minnesota =MWBF '05 SURVIVOR= =CEBF '06 SURVIVOR= =August '06 COTM=

Ya the ABS systems in most vehicles are really finicky when it comes to voltage fluctuations.......A weak battery or connection anywhere could cause the ABS and Traction Ctrl system to wig out....seen that on a few cars. Only reason I get cars with ABS is just for the insurance break on the premium.
Originally Posted by LakevilleSSEi
Only reason I get cars with ABS is just for the insurance break on the premium.
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From: Farmington, Minnesota =MWBF '05 SURVIVOR= =CEBF '06 SURVIVOR= =August '06 COTM=

My ins is all based off of the type of vehicle and equipment and my record....they don't bother with anything like the common concensus of people or whatever.
I had this symtom for about an hour. If the PCM sees over 40% braking it enables ABS.
Adjust the brake pedal switch. Remove the drivers' hush panel, Look straight up. On the pedal assembly this is a pair of switches. The lower one is ABS, Upper is C/C. Adjust the to where the deepest part of the notch in the arm is even with the end of the switch when the pedal is not being pressed.
Adjust the brake pedal switch. Remove the drivers' hush panel, Look straight up. On the pedal assembly this is a pair of switches. The lower one is ABS, Upper is C/C. Adjust the to where the deepest part of the notch in the arm is even with the end of the switch when the pedal is not being pressed.
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