Service Traction Control, Service Brake Assist and ABS light On

Tiny
JSLIGH34
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 87,000 MILES
2006 Chevy Impala SS - 95K miles

I was driving the other day and both the "service traction control" and "service brake assist" displayed on the dash, with the ABS light illuminated. I took it to a shop and got the code C0040, which is the right front speed sensor. Since the senor only comes on the hub, I have to replace the whole assembly.

The day before I got these messages, I had changed my car's oil, and since I had spilled some, I was using a water hose to spray under my vehicle and close to the passenger tire. Is it possible that this may have damaged (temporarily or permanently) the sensor? I also notice a slight skid or drag sometimes when I apply the brakes, and after is when the alerts come up. ABS light goes on and off.
Thursday, August 30th, 2012 AT 5:54 PM

16 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
Hello,

Water will not effect the sensor operation it was just bad timing. Here is a guide that will give you an idea of what you are in for when changing the hub out and the diagrams below to show you on your car.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

This video will show people how to get their own codes

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

A trouble code does not necessarily mean a component is fault. It can be other factors such as loose connection. The code only tells you a problem has occurred with the circuit.

The codes will clear once the sensor and hub have been replaced. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know if you need anything else to get the problem fixed.

Cheers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+7
Thursday, August 30th, 2012 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
JSLIGH34
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
I appreciate your response. I hope that I can see if that works without putting the wheel back on and driving it, because I already bought the hub assembly and I'd like to just change it while I have the wheel off the first time if need be. Whatever the cause may be with this speed sensor, could it cause the braking issue that I explained, or could this be an issue with the actual brakes? I think it's too much of a coincidence that it happened the day after spraying, so I think that is the issue, but I can't be sure of course.

Also, when replacing the hub, I read that I need a thread locker on the bolts upon reassembly, and lithium grease on the spline of the axle. Are these completely necessary?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+5
Thursday, August 30th, 2012 AT 6:27 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,815 POSTS
The ABS sensors receives signals from the wheels to operate the modulator and if any fault is detected, they would not work correctly which can result in skidding. Once the light comes on, the ABS system has been disabled.

What I understand is that the sensor has most probably been affected by the hosing and if the damage is reversible or not, you need to inspect and perform testing to find out.
Actually you are required to replace the bolts which comes with the self-locking materials. Without it the nut might work itself loose over time.

As to the grease, it is required to prevent rust which can cause the splines to fuse with the bearing hub and prevent future removal.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Thursday, August 30th, 2012 AT 7:43 PM
Tiny
RLA_20
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 75,000 MILES
My 2006 Impala started showing the code "service traction control" and while driving the transmission shifts hard and even is hard shift to and from park. I called a local dealer who said that I could possibly have a $1,000 problem on my hands. Anybody have the same issue or know what a cheap fix is?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MMPRINCE4000
  • MECHANIC
  • 8,549 POSTS
I have seen where a wheel speed sensor can go bad causing the traction control light to come on here is video to show you how to get the codes to see which one it is.

https://youtu.be/rTtAnsOlZU4

Here is how you change a wheel speed sensor guide and how its done on your car Below.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/bearing-hub-replacement

Please run down this video and report back

Cheers
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RHBERNIE
  • MEMBER
  • 0 POST
Thanks! I followed this guide and found the right front WSS bearing hub was bad fixed it myself for $134.00. I love this site.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TMAN2008
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 39,423 MILES
Sometimes when I drive my car the service traction control light comes on and when that happens, the transmission will kick in next gear when shifting, sometime the light will come on an shut right back off and sometimes it will stay on for 3 mins and then shut off and come on again can u help me on this Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DENNYP
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,823 POSTS
You need to have it scanned for trouble codes. It could have a wheel speed sensor signal dropping out intermittently.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+3
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BCCONKIN
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 95,000 MILES
My 2006 Impala will suddenly show a message saying Service Traction Control, the shows another message saying Engine Power will decrease. When this happens I can't use cruise control and will stay on until the car is parked over night. When I start out again the engine light will remain on and after driving a while the service traction control message comes on again. This happens mainly in cold weather and when I return to Florida the light doesn't come on and the engine light doesn't come on. I wonder what I should do or if I can do it myself.

Thanks for your reply,
Bill Conkin
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
F4I_GUY
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,302 POSTS
You should get the vehicle scanned for history trouble codes on both systems. This will give you the circuity that is acting up. It may only be affected by climate or humidity.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
NONNIE_MARIE
  • MEMBER
  • 11 POSTS
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
Just recently my car has been messing up, at first the two messages popped up, which would not let the car go past 40 mph. Than a couple days later the messages popped up again, but this time the third message popped up too and as soon as that message showed the car turned off while I was driving. Since then my car wont start, its like something is blocking it from starting. Will someone help me figure out what this situation is. So I can fix this? Please Thank You.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,128 POSTS
I need to know what trouble codes were found. Have the computer scanned and let me know what you find.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ERICFRENETTE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2006 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 148,000 MILES
On my 2006 Impala the service traction control message and service brake assist message keeps coming on and then going off, and then coming on and then going off again and again, any idea what this means
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PROTECH1980
  • MEMBER
  • 901 POSTS
You are going to have to get the car scanned for diagnostic trouble codes that are stored in the modules and start diagnostics from there. You either have a problem with your abs or traction control and the module has illuminated the warning lights and shut the system(s) down due to a fault detected
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CHEVYSKILLZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2007 CHEVROLET IMPALA
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 58,000 MILES
I have been experiencing problems with my traction control sensor. It activates reducing power to my engine. This sometimes occurs while driving or when I start my car. Any suggestions? Can I deactivate this sensor? If so how do I do that? What do I need to do to stop to sensor from activating.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)
Tiny
2CARPRO JACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,533 POSTS
If the traction control is engaging fo rno reason it may be seeing wheel slippage, whether itis happening or not. Have the system scanned to see if it has stored any trouble codes. Usually the traction control system has an on/off button on the dash, if not you may not be able to shut it off
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
+1
Sunday, August 5th, 2018 AT 7:58 PM (Merged)

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links