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2001 Active Handling Questions

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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 12:22 PM
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Default 2001 Active Handling Questions

I am looking for ways to eliminate/by-pass the active handling (AH) system on a 2001 Z06 for track only (road coarse) use. As I understand it, simply unplugging the steering wheel position sensor (SWPS) will accomplish this (please correct me if I am wrong). Has anyone ran the SWPS wires to a switch so that the AH can be turned on/off? If so, do you run all four wires through a switch, or can you run just one (which one)?

I have read all the "use competition mode" replies in other threads, but as I understand it competition mode does not 100% eliminate AH, it just makes it less responsive. Again, please correct me if I am wrong.
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by SRS_Chris
I am looking for ways to eliminate/by-pass the active handling (AH) system on a 2001 Z06 for track only (road coarse) use. As I understand it, simply unplugging the steering wheel position sensor (SWPS) will accomplish this (please correct me if I am wrong). Has anyone ran the SWPS wires to a switch so that the AH can be turned on/off? If so, do you run all four wires through a switch, or can you run just one (which one)?

I have read all the "use competition mode" replies in other threads, but as I understand it competition mode does not 100% eliminate AH, it just makes it less responsive. Again, please correct me if I am wrong.
Turing the traction control to OFF should eliminate ALL AH Intervention..

What additional AH do you think will still limit you???

Bill
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 01:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Curlee
Turing the traction control to OFF should eliminate ALL AH Intervention..

What additional AH do you think will still limit you???

Bill
Well now I am a little confused. To confirm...

TC ON - all systems (ABS, AH, TC) 100% on

TC OFF - ABS 100% on, TC & AH 100% OFF

Comp Mode - ABS 100% on, AH (% reduced) on, TC (100%) off

Is this correct?

Last edited by SRS_Chris; Feb 22, 2018 at 01:46 PM. Reason: additional information
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by 8VETTE7
Even if you can run a switch you do realize that you cannot just switch these services off and then on again without an ignition cycle in between?

Once any of the systems (ABS, TC or AH also known as Vehicle Stability Enhancement Services or VSES) goes to an OFF condition it remains OFF until diagnostics are run at the next ignition cycle.

This is also the first reference I have seen to AH not being 100% OFF.

Good point. Although this wouldn't be an issue for this application.

Regarding your last comment, do you mean during Competition Mode?
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 03:44 PM
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I didn't think competition mode affected AH at all, just turned off TC. But, I had though OFF was truly OFF for both the TC and AH on the Corvettes.

Off is not OFF on some other GM vehicles, like the trucks where TC still applies the brakes but doesn't cut engine power when it's turned off.
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 04:29 PM
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Originally Posted by SRS_Chris
...I have read all the "use competition mode" replies in other threads, but as I understand it competition mode does not 100% eliminate AH, it just makes it less responsive. Again, please correct me if I am wrong.
Here is a summary from this article from a GM Press Release:

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.

Originally Posted by SRS_Chris
I am looking for ways to eliminate/by-pass the active handling (AH) system on a 2001 Z06 for track only (road coarse) use...
According to the above summary, you just need to turn it off with the console's button. The only thing that would remain active is the ABS.

Last edited by GCG; Feb 22, 2018 at 05:36 PM.
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Old Feb 22, 2018 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by GCG
Here is a summary from this article from a GM Press Release:





According to the above summary, you just need to turn it off with the console's button. The only thing that would remain active is the ABS.
Straight from the horses mouth... I like it! Thank you.
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Old Feb 23, 2018 | 08:49 PM
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There is no need to modify the car you have the ability to do what you want with the car as it is. It isn't a Porsche or BMW which kept you from doing those things. Although the new models copied Corvettes way of doing things.

You have the following choices depending on how you push the button:
Full Active Handling and Traction Control. Car starts in this mode.

Full Active Handling and Traction Control Off

Competition Mode Active Handling. This is a mode that establishes a wider dead band in the Active Handling Algorithm which permits more movement of the car before the system activates. This means it won't activate as quickly in an understeer or oversteer situation which can allow the driver to do some things to place the car differently in a corner. It isn't just for stomping on the throttle to get a drifting style but slow exit from a corner, it is meant for handling to get go through a corner quicker and to drive off the corner harder. Comp Mode also turns off Traction Control so you don't have the power flow interrupted when you go over bumps and swells on the track.

Then you have everything off NO AH and NO TC.

It has been 9 years since I sold my C5 so I can't remember for sure which button pushes got me what but I think one push turns off TC, Two pushes turns off both AH and TC and one Long 5 second push sets Competition Mode. The O/M will provide the proper info so check it.

Over a decade ago I posted the GM SAE Paper that explained all of the C5 Active Handling Modes. That has probably disappeared now so I am attaching the PDF file so people can understand what the system does Vs the myths so often seen on the forum. This paper was for the early active handling which was updated for the 2001-2004 models to include Dynamic Rear Proportioning so the rear proportioning valve could be eliminated. If you have ever wanted what the message Active Handling Warming up means it is explained in this paper.

Bill
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Last edited by Bill Dearborn; Feb 23, 2018 at 08:53 PM.
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Old Feb 23, 2018 | 10:47 PM
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Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
There is no need to modify the car you have the ability to do what you want with the car as it is. It isn't a Porsche or BMW which kept you from doing those things. Although the new models copied Corvettes way of doing things.

You have the following choices depending on how you push the button:
Full Active Handling and Traction Control. Car starts in this mode.

Full Active Handling and Traction Control Off

Competition Mode Active Handling. This is a mode that establishes a wider dead band in the Active Handling Algorithm which permits more movement of the car before the system activates. This means it won't activate as quickly in an understeer or oversteer situation which can allow the driver to do some things to place the car differently in a corner. It isn't just for stomping on the throttle to get a drifting style but slow exit from a corner, it is meant for handling to get go through a corner quicker and to drive off the corner harder. Comp Mode also turns off Traction Control so you don't have the power flow interrupted when you go over bumps and swells on the track.

Then you have everything off NO AH and NO TC.

It has been 9 years since I sold my C5 so I can't remember for sure which button pushes got me what but I think one push turns off TC, Two pushes turns off both AH and TC and one Long 5 second push sets Competition Mode. The O/M will provide the proper info so check it.

Over a decade ago I posted the GM SAE Paper that explained all of the C5 Active Handling Modes. That has probably disappeared now so I am attaching the PDF file so people can understand what the system does Vs the myths so often seen on the forum. This paper was for the early active handling which was updated for the 2001-2004 models to include Dynamic Rear Proportioning so the rear proportioning valve could be eliminated. If you have ever wanted what the message Active Handling Warming up means it is explained in this paper.

Bill
Excellent, I look forward to reading your attached paper. Thank you.
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