ABS/Traction control issue
 

I have a come ans go problem, on totally dry pavement the traction control and or ABS will activate. I have had it to my local shop not GM, the scanner does not show an issue. Today I noticed that the TC will activate when goosing the gas at speed 30-35 in a right bend but not in a left. Like I said the problem comes and goes, does not light any dash indicators or show on a scanner. Other than that the car has -0- issues it is a 98 Park Ave with only has 44,000! Really would like some solid ideas before I break down and go to Buick, like most dealers they show little mercy!

Phil

Define "the scanner does not show an issue". ?? My question is, does the scanner even have the ability to scan ABS? There are only a few scanners on the market that will scan for ABS codes. Though, yours sounds intermittent.

How good are you with a multimeter?

You can do this test...

https://www.gmforum.com/trouble-shoo...r-test-296556/

Thanks great info, have several VOM's, will have to dig up an old plug.

Phil

Having the traction control activate while driving is not likely (but possibly) related to a bad wheel speed sensor. Take the car to a shop that can read ABS codes. Dealerships have the necessary Tech II scanners, but charge too much. I find most transmission shops have scanners that can read ABS codes, and they don't charge nearly as much as a dealer. Spending a few bucks on this scan will save you time and effort tracking down all the possibilities.

Yea, I forgot to mention what Roy said. Thanks Roy!

if the trac off lights not on, i doubt there is a code. there was a tsb for the trucks which operate in the same manner that if road junk and salt get in and around the wheel speed sensors if will act as you say.if you can get them off you can clean the hole and the sensor and make sure its seated right. on my truck they broke off when i touched them. also make sure the tires are even pressure, tread, and size

So the bad WSS will be the cause for an activated ABS light. I only ask because I need to diagnose/fix my aunts car which the ABS light is on.
Never really worked with this ABS stuff.

If its intermittent, it may not cause it to turn the light on I think.

*shrugs* My 99 Intrigue's EBTCM (Electronic Brake and Traction Control Module) fried, and I am pleased to note my mother has been driving this car for 6 years (110,000 miles) and have had no problems whatsoever. The beauty of this is my mother has no experience with ABS and Trac Control, and so the car essentially handles like an older car where the brakes *could* lock, and the wheels *could* (and will, with 3/4 throttle) spin. She borrowed it once when the car was mine, and she hit a manhole cover while slowing and the ABS triggered (waaaay too sensitive...) and it freaked her out when the pedal kicked back. So... I feel better knowing she can drive it like a "normal" car.

No computer telling you how to drive... I prefer it that way. ;-) But I'm old school like that. You could fix it if you want to, but if you can turn a blind eye to "Trac Off/Anti Lock/Service Vehicle Soon" lights, you will be ok.

It may be an intermittent connection problem to the EBTCM on your car (I assume, being a GM product, most models are built with the same basic guts) or your EBTCM could be flaky. Not sure where it's located in your car, but Intrigue and Alero (and presumably Century/Grand Prix and Grand Am/Cavalier, respectively) hide these modules in the driver footwell (left side by E-brake) behind carpeting. The modules are exposed to dampness from your shoes, and are known to fail as a result, and also to have corroded/oxidized contacts in the plugs.

This also happened to a friend's 99 Alero 2.4 EBTCM, and he still drives it with no problems (aside from what his abuse has done to drivetrain...).

Had to go to the dealer with another issue, he did all he could to find the problem. He could not get it to act up nor did any codes show up. That is three different scanners with -0- results.

Phil

Finally found the cause! Dealer said it had a confused computer, apparently it can happen out of the blue. Best part no $$ in parts just a reset, so far a couple of weeks running no sign of it coming back.

Phil

A confused computer?

Well, I guess it happens to the best of us, especially when we get older. LOL... Glad to hear the problem is cleared up! :-D

Continuing saga! Last week the ABS started acting up again, I went to the dealer after about two hours they determined the left rear hub was the cause. Well $740 later I drive of in my fixed vehicle, at the very first traffic light the traction control went off just like before it was fixed!!!!! A U turn headed back to the dealer, it is going back into the shop Monday morning. The dash shows traction control, the TC goes off even when turned off with the switch. Wonder why the TC still activates when switched off. I hope the dealer saved my old parts, obviously nada wrong with them.

Worried about being sucked down the worm hole!!!!

Brought it back to the dealer this AM, after about and hour and a half the tech come sto talk with me. I told him the hub and sensor did not fix the issue, he isists is has to be part of the problem. He feels it is now a wiring problem due to the age of the car, the car has only 48,000 on it to me that doe not indicate an old car. He said leave it with him that he would do more test and try running new wires to the ABS unit, I said I cannot afford to go down the worm hole. He said he would not charge for the testing. I am still very uncomfortable about the hub charges feeling it was a wrong call, I am hoping not to end up seeking legal action when this finally gets settled.

Phil

The technician should not have to guess what the problem is. If there is a break in the wire between a wheel speed sensor and the EBCM there will be a specific code tripped for that. Does this shop have a scanner that is capable of reading body and chassis codes?

It is a Buick dealer.

Phil

Then he shoul not have to guess. His Tech2 scanner should tell him if there is an open circuit to one of the wheel speed sensors. Replacing wires just because a car is "old" is ridiculous.

Thanks for the replies! This whole thing has me spooked, I will give him a couple of days. Not looking forward to doing battle with the dealer.

Went back to the dealer this morning, argued that the new hub made no difference. I said it should be obvious that there was nothing wrong with the old hub, I got the old hub hoping I can have it tested just to make sure. He did say they will do there best to find the problem and will not charge me for any parts not needed.

Phil

Picked it up this AM all is well, they ran new wires from the rear to the ABS module, I am nor sure how to go about the hub issue. I did grab the old hub but how would someone test it?

Check resistance across the terminals.

The madness continues!
 

Picked the car up yesterday all seemed fine, made quite a few stops with no issue. The other half took the car to work this AM got a little ways from the house it started happening again, it is now back at the dealers Lord only knows where this is going. Six time they have tried!!!!

Ohms readings, was not sure what scale!

RX10K full scale
RX1K 1.2
RX100 18
RX10 100 plus a hair
RX1 no reading

I had it in the vise and turned it several times during each reading.

Phil

Dealer calls me this AM, they have now ordered the ABS computer which will take a few day to get. Went round and round again about the $700+ hub, they are so far not backing down on it not being bad saying it was part of the issue. I am still in doubt of the whole thing!

Phil, do you live in a small town where this is possibly a small dealer with a poorly equipped shop? Any GM dealership should have a Tech 2 scanner which would eliminate all this guess work. Ask them to tell you what diagnostic trouble codes they are reading off your ABS sub-system.

Not a small town it is the county center, they have been around a long time. I have not had any issues with them before, been going to them several years. There link below.

Riverhead, Buick, GMC, Service, maintenance, oil changes, tune ups, Riverhead Buick GMC in Riverhead

Got it back today with a new EBTCM at no charge which from searching costs under $100, everything seems Ok. Now my problem is I paid $730.96 for a hub that did nothing, I now have two wires installed by them from the LR wheel sensor to the ABS. I am wondering if they will if not properly sealed cause problems down the road.
What is the best way to get hold of GM for their input, hopefully helping to get some money back. Seems to me they should cough up googly portion of the $700+, I don't deny them the honest part of the deal!

Depending on what options on your car, the GM dealer price for an EBCM for your car is over $600. If they installed it for free in exchange for charging you for a hub that was not needed I think you ended up with the better end of the deal.

Is there a part number for the EBCM on the work order? If so, what is it?

700+ dollars to replace a hub? your kidding!!

lets see

gm hub 250

R&R wheel 100
R&R caliper 100
R&R axel nut 50
R&R 3 studs holding hub 100
time 20 minutes 100

Did they ask you to bend over too? or just pushed it in?

According to them GM no longer makes it for a 98 PA, they put in an after market one. I have been pricing the after market and used ones all are $100 or less. We are not talking the main unit, this one is pretty small and flat.

Send a letter to:

Buick Customer Assistance Center
P.O. Box 33136
Detroit, MI 48232-5136

Follow up in a week or so with a call to:

Buick's Customer Relations Center
1-800-521-7300
Monday-Saturday - 8 a.m. - 9 p.m. (EST)
Sunday - Closed

parts store 89 dollars

charging 700 dollars was just unreal.. I'd be asking for a detailed billing statement, itemized and then speak with owner of dealership, if that does not work, send info to local news to warn others not to go there.. in the long run, it will cost the dealer more due to lack of business

all dealers charge 3 times as much for parts and labor, and yet people keep going there