Traction control and stabilitrak light on

Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 2011 GMC C1500
  • 5.3L
  • V8
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
My trucks traction control and stabilitrak light comes on the dash along with the warning on the bottom saying service traction control and service stabilitrak. After about 5 to 10 minutes driving and it will reset it’s self after car is turned off for a period of time. . I tried using a code reader while the dash light was on and it says that there’s no codes and no dash lights on when I can clearly see that the traction control light is on. Not sure what it is.
Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 3:41 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I'm not sure of the type of scanner you have, but most are not designed to read ABS or traction control codes. That could be why it doesn't show anything.

Now, in most cases, the cause of the light is due to a faulty wheel speed sensor. By any chance is the ABS light on as well when this happens?

Take a look through this link and let me know if you would feel comfortable performing the test.

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

Here are two links you may find helpful when testing the sensors:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Let me know.

Joe

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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 5:16 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Alex:

You replied but nothing is written. Do you have other questions or need something?

Let me know.
Joe
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 6:49 PM
Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I have a Foseal OBDII code reader and the ABS light isn’t on.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 6:51 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Okay. Does the light seem to com on under heavy acceleration? Also, does the scanner read ABS codes?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 7:04 PM
Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Usually the light comes on during braking or going over rough patches in the road. Sometimes acceleration if it’s really bumpy.
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 7:32 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
I have to be honest. It sounds like one of the wheel speed sensors. There was a technical service bulletin that was sent out years back that dealt with reprogramming the module. However, I can't be sure it's relevant without knowing a code. You did say the scanner you have can read ABS codes, correct?
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Tuesday, April 21st, 2020 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I’m not sure if it can read ABS but I forgot to mention that this all started after I hooked up a trailer to it. I bought it used from a dealership and about 2 weeks after I got it I took it up north for a snowmobile trip and as soon as I hooked up a trailer I wired my self it started doing this.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:34 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
By any chance, did you install an electric brake controller? Also, is this a 2wd? You list it as a c1500. I'm asking because you mentioned snowmobiles. I thought it may be 4wd.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:54 AM
Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It’s a 4wd and I did not install a electric brake controller.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 9:56 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Okay, I think we need to start at the beginning. I am going to attach a wiring schematic for the trailer wiring. What I need you to do is confirm that all the correct color wires indicated are going to the correct pin. The pictures are indicated by letters. On the connector you installed, they should be there to follow.

Let me know if this is how it was done. Also, let me know if you had to wire the truck as well as the trailer. Many of these trucks had a factory connection already installed.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
ALEX ENG
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
It was a 4 way flat trailer and I have an adapter I used to turn it into a 7 pin.
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Wednesday, April 22nd, 2020 AT 4:56 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Did everything work properly on the trailer? Since it started when this was used, I'm thinking power was sent or ground was provided where it wasn't meant to be.
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Thursday, April 23rd, 2020 AT 5:40 PM

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