Dangerous - Active Handling Malfunction
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 209
From: Hillsboro OR
When the SWPS goes bad it sends incorrect steering angle information to the EBCM. The EBCM then thinks your car is in a slide (out-of control). The EBCM then tries to "correct" your cars attitude by applying one of the front brakes. This is what jerks the car to one side of the road or the other. Very scary. I was yanked from the left freeway lane to the center lane. Thankfully, no one else was near me.
For cars so equipped, you can disconnect the SWPS electrical connector. This will ensure that AH and TC will not engage. ABS will still work.
For cars so equipped, you can disconnect the SWPS electrical connector. This will ensure that AH and TC will not engage. ABS will still work.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,810
Likes: 209
From: Hillsboro OR
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 18,048
Likes: 53
From: long Island NY
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
Warning I had, I did not relate to an Active Handling issue. Cruise control will disengage for no apparent reason. I now understand that can be a result of malfunctioning Steering Wheel Position sensor which can send signal to ECBM interpreted as erratic driving.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
This is why last week I ask if a tuner could eliminate active handleing/traction control and I was taken over the coals by some for even suggesting such a thing! I have been driving over 50 years now and have never needed a "nanny" control to help me drive a car!
If you don't like what I say about it I don't really give a DA..N!
[You fill in the blanks].
If you don't like what I say about it I don't really give a DA..N!
[You fill in the blanks].
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,517
Likes: 159
From: Lafayette Louisiana
My understanding is
1) pressing the Active Handling button turns off Active Handling but leaves Traction Control working (DIC message TRAC/Active Handling off).
2) Pressing and holding Active Handling button results in Active Handling active and turns Traction Control off (DIC message Competitive Driving).
3) Also, my understanding is that Antilock Braking System always remains active.
1) pressing the Active Handling button turns off Active Handling but leaves Traction Control working (DIC message TRAC/Active Handling off).
2) Pressing and holding Active Handling button results in Active Handling active and turns Traction Control off (DIC message Competitive Driving).
3) Also, my understanding is that Antilock Braking System always remains active.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 7,460
Likes: 5
From: Burnet, TX
I knew about this when I bought the car 3 years ago. Recently my car has had the infamous steering wheel sensor code and I am in the process of fixing it. The only difference to my story, is that I knew about this the day I bought the car. What does that mean? Every time (it's like putting in contacts after 25 year) I get in the car, I turn off the AH/TC and hit reset. It's like second nature. I never have it on, if I could tune it out I would. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 21
From: Sunniest city on Earth
My understanding is
1) pressing the Active Handling button turns off Active Handling but leaves Traction Control working (DIC message TRAC/Active Handling off).
2) Pressing and holding Active Handling button results in Active Handling active and turns Traction Control off (DIC message Competitive Driving).
3) Also, my understanding is that Antilock Braking System always remains active.
1) pressing the Active Handling button turns off Active Handling but leaves Traction Control working (DIC message TRAC/Active Handling off).
2) Pressing and holding Active Handling button results in Active Handling active and turns Traction Control off (DIC message Competitive Driving).
3) Also, my understanding is that Antilock Braking System always remains active.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,168
Likes: 21
From: Sunniest city on Earth
I believe that #1 is incorrect. At least for the 01 -04 vehicles. In the owners manual it states that pressing the active handling button once briefly turns off BOTH Active Handling and Traction Control.
I suspect the system works the same on the 98 - 2000 vehicles as well but I have not read those owners manuals.
Here is a write up I found some time back but I cannot remember the exact source of it:
Summary of Active Handling System Modes
•ON - Active Handling is automatically enabled when the car is started. This is also true of the ABS brake and traction control systems.
•OFF - Like traction control, the Active Handling system may be manually turned off if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS brake system which is always enabled.
•COMPETITIVE DRIVING - In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but traction control is shut off.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car like the Corvette. As mentioned earlier, skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events, and the Corvette system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate. Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.
Pressing the button once, briefly, turns traction control and active handling OFF. The body control module will not intervene for rear wheel spin or lateral slide. Anti-lock breaks will still work.
Pressing and holding the button for 5 seconds activates COMPETITION MODE - Rear tires are allowed to spin (traction control OFF) but active handling is ON and body control module will utilize braking & throttle management if it senses a slide.
I suspect the system works the same on the 98 - 2000 vehicles as well but I have not read those owners manuals.
Here is a write up I found some time back but I cannot remember the exact source of it:
Summary of Active Handling System Modes
•ON - Active Handling is automatically enabled when the car is started. This is also true of the ABS brake and traction control systems.
•OFF - Like traction control, the Active Handling system may be manually turned off if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS brake system which is always enabled.
•COMPETITIVE DRIVING - In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but traction control is shut off.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car like the Corvette. As mentioned earlier, skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events, and the Corvette system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate. Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use.
Pressing the button once, briefly, turns traction control and active handling OFF. The body control module will not intervene for rear wheel spin or lateral slide. Anti-lock breaks will still work.
Pressing and holding the button for 5 seconds activates COMPETITION MODE - Rear tires are allowed to spin (traction control OFF) but active handling is ON and body control module will utilize braking & throttle management if it senses a slide.
I mentioned this a couple posts up. There are three settings:
Default
Traction Control/Active handling both off (one press)
Competition mode, AH on, TC off (hold for five seconds)
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,762
Likes: 173
From: Citrus Heights CA
That's what mine felt like.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 183
Likes: 3
From: Lompoc Ca
This is why last week I ask if a tuner could eliminate active handleing/traction control and I was taken over the coals by some for even suggesting such a thing! I have been driving over 50 years now and have never needed a "nanny" control to help me drive a car!
If you don't like what I say about it I don't really give a DA..N!
[You fill in the blanks].
If you don't like what I say about it I don't really give a DA..N!
[You fill in the blanks].
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,600
Likes: 2
From: Outer banks North Carolina
I just wish I could get it turned off so I wouldn't have to switch it off every time I drive the car! I don't drive as spirited as some of you on the street although I drag raced on the strip for over 40 years in some very fast cars. I'm the guy that drives the speed limit that you get behind and cuss at for going to slow
.