ABS light and service traction system

Tiny
CHRISTOOU
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
Six cylinder front wheel drive automatic 147,000 miles.

My ABS light comes on and then my service traction system light comes on and then when I put on my brakes they pulsate and make a noise. I took it to a mechanic and he charged me a $50.00 diagnostic charge and he said my ABS sensors where bad on the rear wheels. He said the front was fine. I ordered and replaced my rear wheel hub assembly's which come with new sensors but it did not solve the problem. I really do not want to go back to him. I am at a lost here. Could in be a speed sensor? Please help, I am very handy and would like to try and fix this myself, but do not really know what to fix.
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Thursday, April 15th, 2010 AT 5:38 PM

29 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
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If you replaced the rear sensors already, and that was the code that scanned, you need to unplug the sensors, and use an ohm meter to test the wires. You should get a zero or at most five ohm reading, Inspect for visual signs of damage or corrosion. This may require some interior trim removal to access the wires. ABS wires are called "twisted pair" as they are twisted together along their run. This makes for easy identification, Also, if you want to buy an ABS scanner, Actron makes a unit that reads most US makes to 2005, it is model CP 9449, I Googled it and bout one for $114.00 US, not too bad considering the suggested retail is $299.00!


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_CP9449_001_2.jpg



https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_CP9449_002_2.jpg

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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 10:21 AM
Tiny
CHRISTOOU
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Is the ABS sensor the only sensor that will make the ABS light and the service traction system light come on? I noticed today that when I turn my front wheels then the lights would come on. Do you think the fronts could be bad? Not sure if I can put a lot of faith into what the mechanic told me.
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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 10:46 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Although either front or rear sensors can go bad, it is more common for fronts to set the code, and no there are a few parts that can set codes, the ABS pump, ABS control module, among others, check the wires to the front sensors, one of them may have come out of a retaining clip, and could be rubbing on something and wore through the rubber sheathing. I just got through looking for tech bulletins on the vehicle, and low and behold, there is a new part for the front hub/sensor and wire, seems the original wire is too short and gets stressed on turns! I will email the particulars so you can buy the right parts to repair the front sensors.
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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 11:28 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Reply to your private message.
Do yourself a favor, use the GM parts, aftermarket ones may not have that extra 6 mm of length.
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Friday, April 16th, 2010 AT 5:23 PM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
I have a very similar problem. The service traction system light/display comes on at random and ABS chatters for no apparent reason. How do I get my dealer to repair the ABS with new wire under the tech bulletin at no cost?
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 11:29 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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It is not a recall, so your vehicle must be under the factory warranty to get free replacement. You did not say if any of this applies to you. If it does, post your make model and year, also mileage, and I will send the TSB to you if you qualify.
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Saturday, June 12th, 2010 AT 8:45 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
2002 Buick Rendezvous CX 71,000 miles.

It sounds like most of the above applies, but I do not have an ABS scanner to verify. ABS chatters intermittently and traction control light randomly goes on and off. Seems to be worse when raining outside.

Thanks.

Mykdee
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Sunday, June 13th, 2010 AT 6:17 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
2002 Buick Rendezvous CX w/71,000 miles.

It sounds like most of the above applies, but I don't have an ABS scanner to verify. ABS chatters intermittently and traction control light randomly goes on and off. Seems to be worse when raining outside.

Thanks.

Mykdee
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Thursday, June 24th, 2010 AT 1:10 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Any local garage can scan the codes for the ABS for you.
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Friday, June 25th, 2010 AT 2:33 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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Here is the tech bulletin :
ABS AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON, AWD DISABLED MESSAGE
DISPLAYED, DTCS SET (REPLACE FRONT WHEEL BEARING AND HUB
ASSEMBLY)
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
Reference Number(s): 03-05-25-004A, Date of Issue: April 2004
BUICK: 2002-2004 Rendezvous with All Wheel Drive
CHEVROLET: 2002-2004 Venture with All Wheel Drive
OLDSMOBILE: 2002-2004 Silhouette with All Wheel Drive
PONTIAC: 2002-2004 Aztek, Montana with All Wheel Drive
SECTION: 05 - Brakes
Superceded Bulletin(s): 03-05-25-004, Date of Issue: May 2003
Related Ref Number(s): 03-05-25-004, 03-05-25-004A
ARTICLE BEGINNING
CONDITION
NOTE: This bulletin is being revised to change part number information and
update the model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number
03-05-25-004 (Section 05 - Brakes).
Some customers may comment that the ABS and/or traction control system lamp is illuminated.
Also, the AWD disabled message may be displayed. Upon investigation, the technician may find
several DTCs set.
CORRECTION
When normal diagnosis leads to the wheel speed sensor as the suspect component, replace the
front wheel bearing and hub assembly, P/N 89047684. Refer to the Wheel Bearing/Hub
Replacement procedure in the Front Suspension sub-section of the Service Manual. This new part
has 6 mm (0.236 in) added to the harness to prevent any stress to the wiring.
PARTS INFORMATION
PARTS INFORMATION
Part Number Description
89047684 Hub Kit-Front Wheel
Parts are currently available from GMSPO.
WARRANTY INFORMATION
For vehicles repaired under warranty, use:
WARRANTY INFORMATION
ABS AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON, AWD DISABLED MESSAGE DIS. Page 1 of 2
Labor Op. Description Labor Time
E2320/E2321 Bearing and Hub Assembly, Front Wheel -
Right/Left - Replace
Use Published Labor
Time
E2327 Bearing and Hub Assembly, Front Wheel -
Both - Replace
Use Published Labor
Time

ABS AND/OR TRACTION CONTROL LAMP ON, AWD DISABLED MESSAGE DIS.
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Friday, June 25th, 2010 AT 2:50 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
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Problem is, the ABS light does not come on (only the traction control), so I do not think there is anything to scan.

What is the part number to the GM part for the front sensors?

Any chance you can send me a copy of the bulletin in question?

Thanks for all of your help!

Myk
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Friday, June 25th, 2010 AT 7:58 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
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Thanks!

Question- Bulletin says all wheel drive, I have four wheel drive. Do you think the problem still may apply?
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Friday, June 25th, 2010 AT 9:13 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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I do not know if it does apply, and if trac light is on, there are "C" code stored. Worth checking out. If the code is a front speed sensor, then it probably applies, Part number is in the tech bulletin, but here it is again: P/N 89047684
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Saturday, June 26th, 2010 AT 8:20 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Tech says its a C0245 Wheel sensor failure, but it does not say which sensor. I looked back at some of my receipts and I noticed that I had the front hubs and bearing replaced under a "soft" recall by Buick dealer in December 2007.

I am also now sometimes getting a high whining noise at low speeds without the brake applied from what appears to be the front passenger wheel- almost sounds like the brake pads are low- but The pads still look pretty good (had them replaced in December 2007 as well). Ever heard of that?

We are going to check the sensors this weekend and see if there is anything obvious going on there first, but what do you think the problem is?
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 7:40 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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The whine may actually be the hub bearing on that side, which is a one piece replacement, with the sensor.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 8:37 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Thanks we will check that out. Have you heard of these going bad twice? I mean the dealer replaced the hub once already, so why would it go bad again?

I wonder of the calipers are sticking or something like that.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 8:53 AM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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If the axle nut is not properly torqued, the bearing can fail almost immediately.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 3:59 PM
Tiny
MYKDEE
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
What is the torque rating for the axle nut?

Just found out/realized what you were saying- the hub and sensor are one unit, I cannot get the senor separately.

Looks like around $130.00 for the hub. I am going to see if the passenger side is the problem and replace that one first.
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Friday, July 9th, 2010 AT 6:31 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
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First, go for a ride, then on a straight section of rod, quickly turn the wheel right, then straight, then left and straight, if the noise is loudest on left turn, the right bearing is No good, and vice versa. Then jack up the suspect side, shake the wheel at top and bottom, and side to side, loosness should be felt(play). Proper torque of the axle nut on reassembly is critical, or the new bearing will fail! Torque on yours is:


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/62217_Axle_Torque_Spec_1.jpg

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Saturday, July 10th, 2010 AT 7:18 AM
Tiny
MYKDEE
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  • 13 POSTS
In checking the hub sensors on the front
--The driver side read 1K ohms (1000 Ohms).
--The passenger side read 1.5K ohms (1500 ohms).
--The new one read 1K ohms.

Since the front passenger side was also the one making the noise, we decided that was the culprit and replaced it (new one from NAPA cost around $86.00). It has been over a week now and no more problems. Also, turns out the brake pads were fine, so the noise must have come from the bearing itself.

FYI The bearing is sealed - seems like GM must have had a bad batch of them!

Funny thing- as I mentioned before, the dealer changed both front hubs in December of 2007. These things must still be failing even after the dealer change, so if you are having problems and the hub was replaced once, do not be surprised (like I was) to find it needs replacing again.

For you DIYrs out there- do not be afraid the hub was not too difficult to take out at all. You had to first remove the caliper, next wire harness and clip, then the three hub bolts and last the axle nut. Axle nut was difficult only because its a metric nut (34 mm I believe) and I had to go out and get the socket for it. Installation is the reverse. I then torqued the axle nut to 205 ft. Lbs (to be safe) and all was good to go.

The hub itself still was "stuck" even after removing all the bolts- so a little persuasion (hammer) and a crow bar and off she went.

Merlin, thanks much for your help! Your advice was just what I needed! Without you, I doubt I would have found the problem- again thanks!
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Saturday, July 17th, 2010 AT 12:28 PM

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