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Active Handling System Problems

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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 07:45 AM
  #1  
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aapontesso
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Default Active Handling System Problems

I am the new owner of a '99 C5 w/ 28M. Prior to purchase I didn't really put the car through the paces. Now, sometimes on even very mild cornering situations the active handling system engages and then the display says that the active handling system should be serviced.

Is this a common problem? What does it take (money, mechanical skill, etc.) to get it fixed?

Thanks for your help.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by aapontesso
I am the new owner of a '99 C5 w/ 28M. Prior to purchase I didn't really put the car through the paces. Now, sometimes on even very mild cornering situations the active handling system engages and then the display says that the active handling system should be serviced.

Is this a common problem? What does it take (money, mechanical skill, etc.) to get it fixed?

Thanks for your help.
It's hard to say without having a diag run on it. My car occasionally displayed that for a couple of years at what seemed random intervals. Turned out that something in my wheel was loose and the constant wobbling had bent the sensor wires back and forth so much they had eventually started to break.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 03:57 PM
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How and What exactly is displayed on the DIC when this problem occurs?
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 04:21 PM
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Originally Posted by aapontesso
I am the new owner of a '99 C5 w/ 28M. Prior to purchase I didn't really put the car through the paces. Now, sometimes on even very mild cornering situations the active handling system engages and then the display says that the active handling system should be serviced.

Is this a common problem? What does it take (money, mechanical skill, etc.) to get it fixed?

Thanks for your help.
Could be a sensor but most likely one od a few things.

First check all your wiring to the wheel sensors for good connectivity.
(inspect to see if anything is broken, corroded, etc.)

One of the things that us Vette owners don't do is bring the car in to the dealer for maintenance. There's this morbid fear of letting the dealer
get hold of our cars.

But one thing they are useful for is maintaining updates to the PCM.

There were a few TSBs associated with AH/TC over the C5 lifespan.

I had similar issues with my 2001 and the reflash eliminated the errors.

Take it to the dealer and have them look up the VIN to see what was
done. If there is a TSB, they could reflash to see if it works.

The early year AH was a bit more sensitive and less precise as later
years were.

...George
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 04:41 PM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by aapontesso
I am the new owner of a '99 C5 w/ 28M. Prior to purchase I didn't really put the car through the paces. Now, sometimes on even very mild cornering situations the active handling system engages and then the display says that the active handling system should be serviced.

Is this a common problem? What does it take (money, mechanical skill, etc.) to get it fixed?

Thanks for your help.
Just had the same problem with my 98, It popped codes C1281, C1286 and C1287. Steering wheel sensor. Dealer charged me nearly $700 CAD.
Good luck.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 05:19 PM
  #6  
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From: Spring Texas
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Originally Posted by CCMC5
How and What exactly is displayed on the DIC when this problem occurs?
The display reads "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM". It goes away if you punch reset but the dash light stays on until shut down...when you turn off the key "SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING SYSTEM" displays until the door is opened. Next start up, no sign of any problems.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 05:22 PM
  #7  
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Originally Posted by georgec114
Could be a sensor but most likely one od a few things.

First check all your wiring to the wheel sensors for good connectivity.
(inspect to see if anything is broken, corroded, etc.)

One of the things that us Vette owners don't do is bring the car in to the dealer for maintenance. There's this morbid fear of letting the dealer
get hold of our cars.

But one thing they are useful for is maintaining updates to the PCM.

There were a few TSBs associated with AH/TC over the C5 lifespan.

I had similar issues with my 2001 and the reflash eliminated the errors.

Take it to the dealer and have them look up the VIN to see what was
done. If there is a TSB, they could reflash to see if it works.

The early year AH was a bit more sensitive and less precise as later
years were.

...George
Thanks, I too have a fear of dealers. I'm looking for a Corvette "mechanic" in the Houston area but haven't found one yet. Both local Corvette clubs are sponsored by dealers....one club even meets at the dealer!
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 08:36 PM
  #8  
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Default Same here

Originally Posted by WTC5
Just had the same problem with my 98, It popped codes C1281, C1286 and C1287. Steering wheel sensor. Dealer charged me nearly $700 CAD.
Good luck.
Same here! 99 Coupe, got "Service Active Handling" - dealer claimed it to be the steering wheel position sensor - charge $400 USD.

Repair manual claims wear and tear on the steering wheel to be at fault. There's thought that the leaky battery in earlier C5's can also cause this. If you're battery is having problem holding a charge; try replacing the battery - you might see the message go away.
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Old Jun 14, 2005 | 08:53 PM
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I had it all the time in my 2000. The dealer woulld replace a wheel speed sensor (always the right front) and it would be OK for a while. Then rinse and repeat... It was doing it again as I was trading it in on my 2003...
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Old Jun 20, 2005 | 03:14 PM
  #10  
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From: Spring Texas
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The battery has been recently replaced. Had problems with the dual air conditioning system because there is some sort of a reset required after a battery change. This might be related too!!
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Old May 4, 2011 | 08:42 AM
  #11  
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Default ABS and Active Handling Problems

I also have the ABS and the Active Handling light coming on in 2004. When I first start it up everything is fine but when I stop and turn the engine back on the display lights come on . The message stops after I reset but the lights never turn off but in nthe morning when I restart it --there is no problems . Does any one have any ideas or should I take it to the dealer?
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