Trac Off warning light on!

Tiny
DMXX1173
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,250 MILES
When driving the trac off light comes on then the car shifts really hard when starting out or puling away from a stop sign. What could be causing this problem?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHALL77
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,361 POSTS
Have the vehicle scanned for trouble codes and get back to me with what you find and Ill see what I can do to help
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KNPINOY2567
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
ABS light, and trac off light all on before car suddenly turns off
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,289 POSTS
Interesting. The two components work together, but shouldn't shut the engine off. Have you had the computer scanned?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMYP0217
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 147,284 MILES
Car acted like had loose connection with battery had trouble getting it started
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Did it attempt to crank over and will not start or just won't crank over at all/nothing when you hit the key to cranking position?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
AMYP0217
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Attempt to crank over with few attempts and it crank
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the computer scanned for code/s if any present comeback with it-
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROAUTOTECH
  • MECHANIC
  • 288 POSTS
Could be two unrelated problems. Make sure you didn't turn off the traction control, it's near or on the blinker switch, usually at the end on that car I think. See if that turns off your light. If it does, I think the hesitation may be something else we'll have to investigate. If that doesn't turn it off, there may be something wrong with your transmission or solenoids and you'll have to get it scanned to find out. The car parts stores will scan it for free.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONIADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 11,300 MILES
The abs, trac off, and wrench light are on. Which is a abs problem and its a rear sensor but inhave replaced both sensore and the harness on the axel and still on. What eles could it be?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
Have the diagnostic fault code read and erased.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONIADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
It comes right back on as soon as earsed
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,752 POSTS
Couple things to consider. First of all, fault codes never say to replace parts. They only indicate the circuit or system that needs further diagnosis. In your case, replacing the sensor and the wiring harness would probably solve that code 80 percent of the time. You also have to consider a computer problem, or more commonly a corroded connector pin or break in the wires anywhere between the sensor and computer.

The second thing to be aware of is there is one model of scanner that has a mistake in the software and it reads codes and data for the wrong wheel. It seems to me that was on a GM truck but I can't remember for sure.

You can use a scanner to view live data during a test drive. That will allow you to see the wheel speeds the computer is seeing. If they all seem to be correct, suspect a cracked tone ring. That will cause one extra pulse per wheel revolution which will set a code. I can not find much information on ABS for your year and model so you'll have to see what kind of tone ring is used. GM used a lot of speed sensors built onto the backs of the wheel bearings as an assembly. Those give a lot of trouble when a little, normal play develops from wear. The dealer's scrap metal bins are loaded full of them. It is not uncommon to have problems in as little as 15,000 miles. If your car has a normal external tone ring like everyone else uses, you can look at it to see if it is cracked between two teeth.

Another approach is to go right to the ABS Computer, disconnect the plug and measure the sensor's resistance right from there. You'll need the service manual diagram to figure out which two wires to measure across. A typical sensor will have somewhere around 500 to 900 ohms of resistance. If it's higher than that, or you find an open circuit, measure right at the sensor. If it's okay there, you have a break in one of the wires going to the computer.

You can also measure the AC voltage at the connector that is developed when you spin that wheel by hand. The voltage isn't accurate but all you're looking for is something vs. Nothing.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
What are the codes present?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DONIADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
C1234 LR sensor open/short
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CP-ARCHIVES
  • MEMBER
  • 4,540 POSTS
  • 2001 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
  • 73,500 MILES
Hello.I have service engine light, ABS light, and TCS light on. Codes read 1227 and 1234. Story timeline: 10 days ago the rear brake line gave out and had it replaced by a local Firestone dealer. A weeklater I then changed the brakes all around. New pads and rotors in front (rotors cleaned prior to install), new brake hose left front as it didn't allow the caliper to release after braking (brakes smoked excessively, only driven 7 miles total prior to repairing the brake hose; you can visually see both calipers engage and disengage now), new drums in back (shoes showed less than 1/2 wear, no issues getting the drums changed). Here's the problem: when braking hard over 40 mph you feel the ABS kick on and the car tends to lean to the front. It seems as if the problem was in the front left. I took it back to Firestone and they couldn't figure it out on this past Sunday but did replicate the issue. Then yesterday on Wednesday the lights came on. Took it back to Firestone and they couldn't figure it out even with the codes and getting it to replicate again intermittently. Gave the car back to me and told me to take it to a dealer. They inspected the work I did and said it was perfect. Do you have any ideas on what it may be? Thank you for your time I appreciate it!
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
That is the Left rear sensor and the code means it is either shorted to batteery voltage or ground or has an open circuit. Since you ahve replaced the sensors and it did not work, it means you have a fault with the wiring. You need to test the wiring between the sensor and ABS control module to confirm whether it is an open or shorted circuit.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Did you check the hand brake cables? Could be trying to lock up the wheels activating the abs.

What are the codes for the abs?

Roy
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 12:30 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DPCONST
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • CHEVROLET CAVALIER
We have a 2001 Chevy Cavalier Z-24 with 100,000 miles and a 2.4 liter engine. 150hp.

We have installed a new speed control sensor hoping that it would fix the occassional jerking and hard shifting that the car does at about 40mph. The TRAC light is on when this is happening. Unforturnately, the sensor helped for about two weeks and it started happening again.

We also pulled the codes and there are none present.

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help! :D
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Need to scan it when it is failing to get a code. Could be many things. You could test the resistance across the wheel speed sensors to see if any one is different
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Tuesday, June 23rd, 2020 AT 11:30 AM (Merged)

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