Service StabiliTrak and Power Steering System?

ANDREW2005

MEMBER
2013 CHEVROLET CRUZE
1.8L
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
191,400 MILES

A few months ago, my car's dash displayed, "Service StabiliTrak" and "Service Power Steering" system messages. At the time I really didn't know what to do, so I drove the car home, those systems aren't a necessity for me anyway, so I didn't worry about it too much. A few hours later I started the car up to leave again and the messages were gone. The other day the same thing happened, messages displayed and then after a few hours of the car sitting, started it up and they were gone. Today it happened again but I wanted to know why. Did a quick Google search and saw some people saying voltage drop. So, for a quick test, I wiggled the negative battery cable, which was replaced about 2 years ago, and after starting the car back up, the messages were gone. Does this mean I should replace that negative cable again or is there some other potential issue I should attempt to track down?

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,327 POSTS

Hi,

If the negative battery cable is loose and can't be properly tightened, it should be replaced. However, if both came on, there may be an issue with the steering angle sensor.

What you should do at this point is to have the can-bus scanned to determine if there are any diagnostic trouble codes. If the lights were on, there should be something stored.

CAN stands for controller area network. Basically, the different modules in the vehicle are tied together via a few wires so they can communicate back and forth. This type of scan will retrieve codes regardless of the module storing them.

Here is a link that shows how it's done:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/can-scan-controller-area-network-easy

Let me know if that is something you can do or have done. If not, when the lights are on, stop at a local parts store and ask if they can scan the computer for you. Although they have a basic scan tool in most cases, it may still show the cause.

Let me know.

Joe

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Saturday, April 27th, 2024 AT 8:58 PM

ANDREW2005

MEMBER
18 POSTS

Thanks for the reply.
When it happened last time, I had my mechanic run a scan and he said it was a communication error.
Today I cleaned up and tightened the grounds and positive terminals, so we'll see what happens.

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Saturday, April 27th, 2024 AT 9:50 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,327 POSTS

Hi, Andrew.

That is a good place to start. Let me know if it continues to work properly or if the problem returns.

Take care,

Joe

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Sunday, April 28th, 2024 AT 6:49 PM

ANDREW2005

MEMBER
18 POSTS

Joe,
The jury is still out but I'll update in a week or so. In the meantime, going to have the battery checked and do some more checking/research as well. I like the car overall, but at the same time, I'm wanting to simply pay it off and get something different. But with just having the timing belt, serpentine belt, tensioner and water pump done fairly recently at about 182K miles, I think this little Cruze is gonna run for a while yet. Especially since I have the 1.8 NA motor and not the 1.4T

Thanks

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Sunday, April 28th, 2024 AT 9:11 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
108,327 POSTS

Hi:

No problem whatsoever. You can update me when you have the chance.

As far as the vehicle, one thing that people don't consider is everything on the vehicle has a lot of miles on them. The engine may continue to run, but other things can fail. For example, wheel/hub bearings, the transmission, control modules, brake components, and the list goes on. It's just a thought to keep in mind.

Regardless, you know the vehicle better than I do. LOL I just like to tell people that to help them not lose money.

Take care,

Joe

Service StabiliTrak and Power Steering System?

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