Intermittent ESC active issue

Tiny
SKORPION725
  • MEMBER
  • 2010 CHEVROLET COBALT
  • 2.0L
  • 4 CYL
  • TURBO
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 79,000 MILES
I've had a steering issue for a while now. When going around curves at 60+, usually left ones, my ESC active comes on intermittently and the rack tries to adjust and it seems to under-steer me which makes it feel like it's fighting me off the road. Not too safe feeling given sometimes it's hard to recreate.

In the last year I've replaced; the rack, steering shaft, control arms, struts and springs, trans mounts and the stabilizer links.

I figured it was electrical and gave up and put it in a Napa shop. They swore it was the axles, even though I insisted it wasn't and they assured me it could be the problem. It wasn't. They gave it back three more times adjusting this or that saying it was gone each time and it wasn't. In all, they had my car over a month and charged me $700.00 for doing nothing to fix my problem.

I'm out of ideas and wondering if anyone has experienced similar or have any ideas or things I can test/check?

Wheel sensors? Power steering module? BCM?

A friend from a Chevrolet dealer hooked it to his tech 2 and said he saw this but didn't know why:

Requested torqe reading stuck at 99%
Delivered torqe stuck at 0%
Brake booster pressure stuck at 0%

Yes, my steering angle sensor has been reset. I also notice a revolving hum coming from my drivers side wheel, which I always figured was caused by the ESC issue by over using my brakes in necessary situations. Seems like I heard that wheel bearing noises are opposite of the side with the noise. Could this be indicating that my passenger wheel bearing is bad and possibly it's wheel sensor also?

I'm tired of throwing parts at it and Firestone nor Napa can find it. Any help would be much appreciated.
Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 12:32 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

A couple things you mentioned got my attention. First, if there is an issue with a wheel bearing, it could affect the wheel speed sensor thus actuating the system. To determine which bearing is bad is simple. Lets say you make a right turn. The weight distribution is then shifted to the left side of the vehicle. If the noise gets louder, the left bearing is the problem. If it gets quieter, then the right bearing is the issue because weight is being removed from it.

Your friend with the scanner, did he find any diagnostic trouble codes?

Now, the wheel speed sensor is easy to inspect. Only one bolt holds it in place. See pic 1 for location. Remove the sensor and inspect it for any corrosion, dirt, or evidence of damage. Also, if the wheel bearing is bad, replace it. Pictures 2 and 3 show how it's done.

Let me know what you find. However, I suspect a bad hub bearing may be the issue.

Take care,
Joe
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Saturday, July 6th, 2019 AT 9:49 PM
Tiny
SKORPION725
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
I believe you are right. Seems as if my passenger bearing is going and one if not both of my front wheel sensors are iffy as well. Thanks for your help and pointing me to confirm my original suspicions! When I turn the ESC system off it doesn't toggle ESC active on. So I'm guessing that also hints towards those issues as well. Thanks again!
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 2:55 AM
Tiny
SKORPION725
  • MEMBER
  • 9 POSTS
And no, my friend didn't mention much about codes or anything really. He did me a big favor but I don't really think he's that experienced with reading his Tech 2, he hasn't been at his job too long. Couple things he said didn't add up.
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 2:57 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 108,179 POSTS
You are very welcome.

Here is a link that explains how to check if the wheel speed sensor is working. However, it may an erratic condition with the bearing.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Let me know if you need help with anything or have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Sunday, July 7th, 2019 AT 7:11 PM

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