ABS Kicks On?

Tiny
MUSENN
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 197,000 MILES
I changed the left front wheel sensor. I put all the spacers back on it from the original sensor. The and light still came on and the anti engaged. I took two spacers out. There is five all together. The light stayed out. But at low speed two to eight mph the anti engaged again. I took it apart and left one in the light comes on and the scan tool says it is the right side. I cleared the system each time before I test drove it. Am I missing something? Thought it would be and easy fix. Needless to say here I am.
Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 6:15 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Good evening.

I would start by removing the new sensor and cleaning the mount on the hub. Make sure it is cleaned of all rust and debris.

I would also do the right front as well. A common failure is the mounts get dirty and the air gaps get affected by that dirt. They set codes and have ABS activation at slow speeds just before stopping.

Also, no need to reset the codes. The ABS will test the system on startup and if there is no issues, the light will go out at five to eight mph.
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 6:38 PM
Tiny
MUSENN
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Should I put the all spacers back in on the new sensor? Thank you for your help.
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,796 POSTS
Yes, I would start back at the beginning.

You are welcome.

Glad to help.
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 7:51 PM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,240 POSTS
How did you determine it was the left front sensor? Be sure there is no rust or crud between the sensor and the hub and check the tip of the sensor for contact. It is also very possible to have a problem on both sides but have the scan tool only show one. On a GM of that vintage I would pull both sensors, clean off everything and then start from there. On the shims, I take a wood dowel that just fits into the sensor opening. Slide it in until it touches the tone ring, now mark it right at the edge. Pull it out and compare it to the sensor. Add or subtract shims to leave the proper air gap.
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Saturday, April 14th, 2018 AT 9:26 PM
Tiny
MAYES30
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2002 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 153,000 MILES
My abs pump want cut off unless I take the fuse out how can I make it go off. And how can I keep my brake light on the dash from coming on since the fuse is out from the electrical box
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANUNI
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
It sounds like you may have a wheel speed sensor that is out. These videos will help us find the problem.

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

and

https://youtu.be/Pb6nXV-iamI

and

https://youtu.be/ANWVTh2RQoQ

and

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide

Please run down these guides and report back.

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANUNI
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
  • 2000 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 113,000 MILES
Hi,
Recenly my anti lock brakes began to engage at the very end of a stop. They only do this in the last half second or so until I am at a complete stop and at no other times, even if I apply very heavy brake pressure at a higher speed. There is no other indication of a problem ie. The ABS light never comes on. Any thoughts?
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Could be a wheel sensor going bad and it just hasnt set a code yet. Might need to put it on a scanner anyway to watch the sensors or see if it has any failure records stored
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RYANUNI
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Thats what I was guessing, how do I find/inspect/clean/replace them?
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
The are mounted in the hub (bearing) assemblies. If you remove the wheel you will see the wiring, follow it to the ends
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BIG AL
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 79,988 MILES
In dry weather, my abs brake motor / system comes on most of the time. Why?
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JASONRAY
  • MECHANIC
  • 213 POSTS
There may be a problem with one of the wheel speed sensors. If they're reading more than 2 or 3 mph difference, the ABS system will think one wheel is locking up and activate the system. You'll need a scanner to access this information in the PCM. Also, check for codes in the PCM. It may indicate which sensor or what the problem is. Get back with me if you need help.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JAMELT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
When I come to a stop, the ABS kicks in quite frequently. I had new ABS sensors installed in the front but it still continues.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SERVICE WRITER
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,123 POSTS
You need to have a scanner that is capable of reading codes and is capable of monitoring the wheel speed to see which wheel(s) are dropping out. May not have been the sensor replaced or it is bad, or another one is bad. May also be a harness issue.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCINTV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 1999 CHEVROLET TAHOE
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 98,000 MILES
I have a 2002 silverado 2500, 98,000 miles. ABS system going off at low brake speed. Mechanic said rust under sensors cost $228.00 to fix. Now having same problem with 99 Tahoe bought 6 months into 2000. Now have 98,000 miles same problem only worse. Replaced rotors at 70,000 (2nd time). Am I having same problem I had with the 25000. Repair manuel indicates I could have 2 wheel ABS system I see a module on the transmission could that be the ABS for a 2 wheel system. Did not see anything on front when I replaced the rotors. Can I fix the problem. Brakes fade at times when the system ingages.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
Is the ABS light on? If so you need to start by having the codes read, that will give us a place to start. When thesystem is engaging, are you on rough road? Going over train tracks? Something is common here besides thefact they are both Chevy's. If the road causes the tires to lose any contact with the road it will set off the ABS
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCINTV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
The light does not come on also the light on the Silverado never came on before the repair. ABS engages only at slow stop, if I brake hard to complete stop abs does not engage if I use brakes to slow down to 1 or 2 miles an hour then softly stop that is when the problem occurs.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
The sensors should be in the hub, not the rotor on that truck, check for any damage to the wiring, I havent come across this problem before. Does the ABS light come on in the dash when you first turn on the key?
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MCINTV
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Light comes on when I turn on key. Code reader shows "no codes". I will check wires. Thanks.
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If all is ok, you may need to have ashop drive it with ascanner on it to watch the ABS system to see what it is doing. Without a code, we are just guessing
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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 10:03 AM (Merged)

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