My warning light is coming on for service of the Traction, Active and ABS. Is this a critical issue?

 

Its not CRITICAL. Its important.

When you see those messages, the system has DEFAULTED to all manual braking.

You no longer have all the ELECTRONIC BRAKING AIDS to help keep you out of trouble. You can still drive the car but you have to manage the braking you're self.

When it is working properly, if you JAMMED ON THE BRAKES, the EBTCM would manage all the anti lock braking and ACTIVE HANDLING (if you have it). Makes life a little safer.

SIMPLY use the DIC and pull up all your DTCs and that will show you what the system is complaining about. Could be a very simple fix.

Check this out:

READING YOUR Engine Diagnostic Codes



The Diagnostic Display Mode is entered with the following procedure:

1) Turn on the ignition but don't start the engine. NOTE! You can read the DTCs with the engine running and or driving down the road but it can distract you. BE careful! Some DTCs clear themselves when you turn the ignition OFF!

2) Press the RESET button to turn off any warning messages. (i.e. door open, trunk open ect)
3) Press and hold OPTIONS
4) While holding OPTIONS, press FUEL four times within a 10-second period.


Initially, on-board diagnostics go into an Automatic Mode which shows diagnostic codes in a pre-set sequence: PCM - TCS - RTD - BCM - IPC - RADIO - HVAC - LDCM - RDCM - SCM - RFA. All codes will be displayed for each. ( i.e. PCM = 4 codes) If none are present in a given module, you will see No More Codes on the display.
There are two kinds of diagnostic codes, Current and History designated with a letter suffix, “C” or “H”. A current C code indicates a malfunction is present and active in the module displaying data. A history code indicates a problem existed sometime in the last 40 or 50 ignition cycles. When not accompanied by a current code of the same number, it's potential evidence of a previous problem, now resolved, that was not removed by clearing the codes.
More likely it's an indication of an intermittent malfunction.
Intermittent codes are the most challenging of the diagnostics. An intermittent code may have happened once, may have happened more than once but is inconsistent or may be happening on a regular basis but not at the time the codes are displayed. History codes can also be caused by a current malfunction in a system that is not operating at the time codes are displayed. An example is the rear window defogger which doesn't operate until the Body Control Module detects engine rpm. For history codes set by a module that does not operate with the key on and engine off, a special diagnostic tool called a Scan Tester is necessary to properly diagnose the malfunction.
Once the system has displayed all modules, it goes into the manual mode which allows selection of each module using combinations of Driver Information Center buttons. Manual mode can also be entered during the automatic sequence by pressing any button except English/Metric (E/M). Once the display shows Manual Diagnostics, select a module by pressing the OPTIONS button to go forward or the TRIP button to go back. Once a module is selected, a code is displayed, and if more than one are present; press GAGES to go forward or FUEL to go back.
To exit the diagnostic mode at any time, press E/M. If you want to erase codes in a given module, press and hold the RESET button To reset the codes once in manual mode, press and hold RESET until it displays NO CODES Press OPTIONS to go to the next module. Repeat the steps until you have reset the codes in all the computer modules.
NOTE!! Only reset the codes IF you want to - it is NOT necessary to do this. Clearing a code does not repair a problem. You are simply erasing the evidence of it in the module's memory. If you clear the code/s, and extinguish the Check Engine Light, your emissions status ready will NOT allow you to pass an emissions test until you have completed the required driving cycles.
Once you have the codes, the next question is: What to do with the information?
First, consult the factory service manual. Any serious C5 Do-It-Yourself owner should invest in the Corvette Service Manual of the appropriate model year. The Service Manual is really a requirement if you want to understand and work on your C5. You can GOOGLE the DTC and also find information on it.




Here is very good site that explains the DTCs:


http://www.corvette-web-central.com/C5DTCcode.html


http://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_cod...d-ii-codes.php



Make sure to include the H or C suffix!!

 

If you have a TON of old history DTCs, simply clear ALL the DTCs. Any issues that you have will pop a DTC and you can report the most recent DTCs. Then take the car for a drive until it errors out and you see the messages.

NOTE! ALWAYS read your DTCs in the current ignition ON condition.
If you have messages in the DIC DISPLAY, just press RESET until all the messages disappear. Then read the DTCs.

When you cycle the ignition from ON to OFF and back to ON, the EBTCM clears DTCs, and runs a self test. You may not see the root cause of your issue until you actually DRIVE the car enough for the system to actually detect the problem/s.

Bill

 

cruizers-

Welcome to the forum. I also have a 2003. Mine is not currently throwing any codes and is working. Keep us posted as to your findings.

Bill Curlee & 8vette7 -

You guys are great!