Concerns With Active Handling
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Carson VA
Concerns With Active Handling
I did days of research (much of it on here) before I bought my first C5. I must say that I do not know why I waited so long...I love it. In my research, there appears to be several occurances of the SWPS or module going out and causing a single front wheel to brake hard independently. I drive 100 miles a day to work at 80 mph and cringe at the thought of this happening...hence, I always turn off AH/TC off. Are these isolated incidents where there were warning signs that were ignored or can this happen out of the blue? I do not mind leaving it off as I love dritfing anyway, but it seems defeatist to turn off a safety funtion for fear of safety. Thanks.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 14,051
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
It seems the issue is not "out of the blue" isolated. I have had this issue occur before, but it was long after the first "Service Active Handling" and other error codes cropped up.
My issue only happened when I had a loose conenctor to the ABS module and the passanger seat frame (it is a race seat) was bolted down and pressign on the yaw sensor module (which mounted on the floor under the seat).
Seems the resonance of the open exhaust, the vibration and the bad continuity forced the system into weird behaviour.
The most scary was the left front brake grabbing and letting go while drivign straight on the freeway. Happened a coupe of times btu ha never been fully diagnosed. It just never occured after the ABS module plug contatcs where properly cleaned and snapped in place and the yaw sensor properly insulated from vibration.
It is a hugely reliable system. Don't be afraid to rely on it and use it as designed - turned on and ready to be of asistance.
My issue only happened when I had a loose conenctor to the ABS module and the passanger seat frame (it is a race seat) was bolted down and pressign on the yaw sensor module (which mounted on the floor under the seat).
Seems the resonance of the open exhaust, the vibration and the bad continuity forced the system into weird behaviour.
The most scary was the left front brake grabbing and letting go while drivign straight on the freeway. Happened a coupe of times btu ha never been fully diagnosed. It just never occured after the ABS module plug contatcs where properly cleaned and snapped in place and the yaw sensor properly insulated from vibration.
It is a hugely reliable system. Don't be afraid to rely on it and use it as designed - turned on and ready to be of asistance.
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I have not heard that it is a common occurrence by any means. I think I would leave the system on as it certainly provides safety benefits when you need it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
It always has to be your call but.............
I've lived with a C1287 for some time. My AH drops out occasionally. One of these days I'll replace the SWPS but its not a job that I'm looking forward to. My new SWPS is in the garage
In my experience, when the AH drops out you get a minor twitch but it's not dramatic. You normally get an Active Handling DIC message before it trips. If it worries you, just deselect AH/TCS on the console and there's no problem - unless you then push it
I've lived with a C1287 for some time. My AH drops out occasionally. One of these days I'll replace the SWPS but its not a job that I'm looking forward to. My new SWPS is in the garage
In my experience, when the AH drops out you get a minor twitch but it's not dramatic. You normally get an Active Handling DIC message before it trips. If it worries you, just deselect AH/TCS on the console and there's no problem - unless you then push it
Last edited by DeeGee; Jul 15, 2011 at 05:08 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Carson VA
Thanks guys. I was just floored with three different posts on here that implied their car tried to kill them for no apparent reason while going straight down the road and it was usually due to a faulty SWPS, poor solder job on the module or a faulty wheel sensor. I come home at 3am most days (tired) and am not sure I could react in time for some of the incidents as explained. Due to the excessive deer population here, I would prefer to leave an apparently well designed system on, Just do not want to lock up at 80mph on a front wheel. Did that many years agoin a '66 Bronco with front drum brakes, and never want to return to that nightmare. Corn is pretty...but not in the middle of the field when you are impersonating a tractor that actually belongs there. So...leave it on?
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,842
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From: Hillsboro OR
I was one of the people reporting the "yanking to the next lane". It did happen, but not entirely out of the blue. I was getting the C1287 code for a few months. IMHO the failure is slow, but consistent. If you ever look inside one of the SWPS you'll immediately realize that it is a POS. The "contacts" inside are same technology that was used in slot cars. Recall having to rub a pencil eraser on them to clean the brass contact clip? Same thing here.
I do not recommend that te OP turns off his AH/TC. I do recommend that he fix it at his earliest opportunity.
I do not recommend that te OP turns off his AH/TC. I do recommend that he fix it at his earliest opportunity.
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I was one of the people reporting the "yanking to the next lane". It did happen, but not entirely out of the blue. I was getting the C1287 code for a few months. IMHO the failure is slow, but consistent. If you ever look inside one of the SWPS you'll immediately realize that it is a POS. The "contacts" inside are same technology that was used in slot cars. Recall having to rub a pencil eraser on them to clean the brass contact clip? Same thing here.
I do not recommend that te OP turns off his AH/TC. I do recommend that he fix it at his earliest opportunity.
I do not recommend that te OP turns off his AH/TC. I do recommend that he fix it at his earliest opportunity.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 9,526
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From: Los Angeles California
Leave it on... If you're not getting any codes, you're good. If (and when) you get some TCS codes, handle it right away. Generally the EBCM will have the bad solder issue at some point. But luckily when this happens, it doesn't cause issues like this, but it does automatically turn off AH, TCS and ABS. (So of course you'll want to get that fixed right away as well.)
The AH saved my butt only once with this car, and NUMEROUS times with my first Z06. I can tell you right now it definitely is a modern marvel. While some have had some quirky issues with it, you'll find that more people have been saved by it and as far as I know it's never caused any accidents.
The AH saved my butt only once with this car, and NUMEROUS times with my first Z06. I can tell you right now it definitely is a modern marvel. While some have had some quirky issues with it, you'll find that more people have been saved by it and as far as I know it's never caused any accidents.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,882
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From: Bangkok, Thailand
If it were really "common" you'd have heard about the recall and Federal investigation on TV like with the Prius problem. Yes, anything can break, but the odds of it appear to be astronomically slim.
Enjoy the new ride
Enjoy the new ride
