[Z06] ABS light???
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Purcellville, VA
ABS light???
Hi all,
I was away on business so my wife was driving the Z06 when she said that the ABS light came on and then it said that active handling and traction control were having probs too. I know the ABS is key to the active handling/traction control but why did the light come on? She said she was just cruising in traffic and not even using the brakes at that time. When she got to work she looked in the manual and it said to turn ignition off to reset the system, then if it continued to take the thing to a service dept. It did not give her any problems going home. Is this a precursor of things to come or just a little glitch? My battery has the bulge but that doesn't seem like it shoul have anything to do with this. TIA.
Mike
I was away on business so my wife was driving the Z06 when she said that the ABS light came on and then it said that active handling and traction control were having probs too. I know the ABS is key to the active handling/traction control but why did the light come on? She said she was just cruising in traffic and not even using the brakes at that time. When she got to work she looked in the manual and it said to turn ignition off to reset the system, then if it continued to take the thing to a service dept. It did not give her any problems going home. Is this a precursor of things to come or just a little glitch? My battery has the bulge but that doesn't seem like it shoul have anything to do with this. TIA.
Mike
Thread Starter
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From: Purcellville, VA
Come on, hasn't anyone experienced this? Was I too vague on the question or just not very interesting? I'm worried that I might be running into a problem here and would sure like to catch it before something bad happens. Anyone.....pretty please.
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Richmond VA
Maybe...
Originally Posted by forsvette
Come on, hasn't anyone experienced this? Was I too vague on the question or just not very interesting? I'm worried that I might be running into a problem here and would sure like to catch it before something bad happens. Anyone.....pretty please.
Mike
Mike
I don't know, but wouldn't bet it's not something simple. This may have happened to me and caused me similar alarm, but since I can't remember, I think it took care of itself. The first thing I would do would make sure your brake fluid is clean (is it time to change?). I really don't think they have it linked to the ABS, but then again, the ABS will come on under conditions you wouldn't expect it (applying the brakes lightly over bumpy pavement, backing out of driveway at low speed, etc.). Best thing I can think of is call your "trusted" Chevy dealer that you know works on late model 'vettes, ask to speak to the guy who knows about them and see what he knows. If this helps, great, but I doubt it's anything you've not already thought of.
Z
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 193
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From: Alexander IL
Mine just started doing it too
Mine just started doing this too. The first time was after a 500 mile trip a couple of weeks ago. Of course it was the weekend too and out in the middle of nowhere. I just ran the car till I got back to the hotel. Never gave any more trouble until tonight when I took it for a spin. Since no one else seems to have experienced it, guess I will call the dealer. We have a Silverado that did the same thing and it just turned out to be a fault in the computer. Hope that is all it is. Car seems to handle fine. No problem braking. Probably should be checked though. Not good to lose your brakes in a Z as it always seems to be going fast!
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 552
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From: Meadows Place Texas
I have not seen an ABS warning light come on. However, on the DIC, I have seen ABS and Active Handling messages other than "ABS Active" and "Active Handling Active" messages. The most common of the related messages says "Warming Up". This is usually accompanied by an audible chime as an alert. After a short time, I get a message that it is warmed up, along with another chime.
On a related issue... I have no idea which DIC message takes precedence when both codes are logged. For example, when braking into a hard turn, does the active handling or the ABS active DIC message display?
regards,
dave
On a related issue... I have no idea which DIC message takes precedence when both codes are logged. For example, when braking into a hard turn, does the active handling or the ABS active DIC message display?
regards,
dave
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Jonestown TEXAS
I got the same indications about a week ago while I was driving which scared the crap out of me. I thought my brakes had failed or something since I hadn't heard of this happening to anyone else. I pulled over, turned off the ingnition, and restarted the engine and didn't get the indications again. I (like you) hope it's not something that willl rear it's ugly head later on, but for now, everything seems fine.
QKJUAN
QKJUAN
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Alexander IL
Talked to dealer
Everyone,
Just a bit of a follow up on this issue. Talked to the service mgr. at my dealership. He said to bring it in but it was probably nothing. Said it would only take a minute to hook it up to the computer and see what was going on. He had seen it a couple of times on others (coupes/converts) and generally was just an issue with clearing a fault out of the computer. Appointment is Wed. morning, will post results if you are interested.
Regards,
Gary
Just a bit of a follow up on this issue. Talked to the service mgr. at my dealership. He said to bring it in but it was probably nothing. Said it would only take a minute to hook it up to the computer and see what was going on. He had seen it a couple of times on others (coupes/converts) and generally was just an issue with clearing a fault out of the computer. Appointment is Wed. morning, will post results if you are interested.
Regards,
Gary
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Purcellville, VA
Thanks for all the replies. I guess it's good to know that others are having the same issues, however it's not so good that no-one has a definitive answer. I suppose misery loves company in this case. My car runs real strong so I'm not going to trip on it too much and since it didn't happen to me only my wife I can just pretend it never occured. 
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Oakland ca
bad news. trust me i know. trac, active handleing. service light on? theres a module that goes out. its not serviceable. 900 $$ part and 400 labor. Hope your car is under warrenty. i believe its EBTCM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,184
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From: KADS- If it has wings or an engine, I can break it. Dallas TX
Use an OBD2 tool, pull the codes. Should help to pinpoint the problem. My car had a bad wheel speed sensor on the right rear. (The wires were touching the rear axle and wore through.) Check the connections/wires at each of the wheel speed sensors.
Best of luck, Robert Lewis
Best of luck, Robert Lewis
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,037
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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
The C5 ABS module will get upset when the car is driven over certain road conditions and it gets confusing signals back from the wheel speed sensors. It will shut itself down and that takes AH and TC with it. Danny Kellermeyer has a switch on the dash of his 99 race car so he can recycle the power to the ABS while driving.
Even after getting the redesigned controller installed in my 97 back in 99 it would still fail every once in a while during an autocross. It usually happened while I was on the throttle exiting a left hand turn, especially on one turn on one particular Go Kart Track. I would hear a warning chime and then get the ABS failure light. It would never happen under braking but if I didn't notice the warning the next time I braked for a corner planning on having ABS I would lock up the front wheels and flat spot the tires.
Bill
Even after getting the redesigned controller installed in my 97 back in 99 it would still fail every once in a while during an autocross. It usually happened while I was on the throttle exiting a left hand turn, especially on one turn on one particular Go Kart Track. I would hear a warning chime and then get the ABS failure light. It would never happen under braking but if I didn't notice the warning the next time I braked for a corner planning on having ABS I would lock up the front wheels and flat spot the tires.
Bill
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Purcellville, VA
Good discussion guys. I think I will take the wait and see approach since I have not seen it happen again. Funny thing is that my wife said she was just cruising in traffic and not even on the brakes, no hard turns, no bumpy roads. I'll start to worry more if I see it come up again. For now I will enjoy the car. Take care.
Mike
Mike
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 193
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From: Alexander IL
Had it checked out today
Had my car checked out today after getting the warning twice in the last month or so. Technician couldn't say much since of course it wasn't doing it today. He did mention the EBSM which was mentioned above. Electronic brake sensor module( I think) He confirmed what S1K C5 said in his post. ~ $800 part. He said he pulled all the connecting plugs, cleaned them and cleaned the grounds. Said if it did it again it should be replaced. He did say it could be a couple of other things but on mine it was this EBSM. Good luck.
Gary
Gary
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Alexander IL
I would try it
Mike,
I wouldn't be hesitant to try it at all. If I had known that is all they were going to do, I would have tried it myself. I assume a good contact cleaner is all he used.
Gary
I wouldn't be hesitant to try it at all. If I had known that is all they were going to do, I would have tried it myself. I assume a good contact cleaner is all he used.
Gary
