ABS/Stability Control issues
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From: Rocky Hill CT
ABS/Stability Control issues
I realize that numerus C5 owners have had ABS issues. Mine is somewhat different then all of those. If I spin my wheels, my dash lights up, telling me that my Traction Control was activated but, it wasn't.. The warning comes on but I can spin my tires at will, then the warning goes away, as it should. I get NO CODES. When I brake suddenly, I lock my wheels up, and again I get a warning that ABS was activated, and again, the warning turns off as if everything was working correctly, and again, I get no codes.. So basically everything seems like it is working as far as the warnings go but, neither the ABS or the stability Control works at all. Any thoughts????
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It's possible that you have an issue with you EBCM. However, I will say that just because your traction control activates, it doesn't necessarily mean that your wheels will stop spinning. The traction control on the C5 is setup in such a way that it is still possible to slide sideways, or spin your wheels even when the traction control is active. However, if your brakes are locking, you definitely have a problem.
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From: Rocky Hill CT
Thank you for the quick reply. You may be on to something, because I swapped out the LS1 for a SC LS3 about two years ago. When I did that, I replaced both front wheel bearings, and all the harnesses too. This issue started shortly after I got everything together and running, I had a different problem (it is driving me crazy because I don't recall what the problem was at the moment) but I ended up replacing the cable from the wheel bearing to the frame yet again, which fixed the problem. So perhaps I am still having issues with that same harness, or maybe it is the plug. I replaced nearly everything when I did the engine swap, because I did not want any reliability issues but, I am thinking that sometimes it is better to just leave the original pieces alone.
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From: Rocky Hill CT
Thank you for your helpful reply. I'm not sure that is the case, as far as spinning the wheels with the stability control on, because when it was working, it completely shut down, not letting any acceleration what so ever.
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Are you getting any steering position sensor codes? I've had a bad steering sensor for many years, and it can screw up a lot of things, Active Handling, and traction control being 2 of them........
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From: Rocky Hill CT
No, I never got anything like that. Yesterday I put the car up on the lift, and cleaned all the cable connections to the wheel bearings, and made sure all the connections were in good shape. When I took it out for a test drive, I was able to easily lock the brakes up, and spin the tires as well. No stability controls intervened at all. Back to square one.
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From: Rocky Hill CT
Yesterday I put the car up on my lift and cleaned all the harness connections, and made sure that all the harness connections were in good shape. Test drive revealed nothing had changed. I was able to easily lock up my brakes, and also spin my tires. There was no intervention by the Stability Control, even though the dash readouts indicated that the ABS was activated, and the Traction Control was as well. Back to square one again..
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From: Rocky Hill CT
Does anyone know if there is someone associated with this forum who might be an expert in something like this?. I was recently on an interstate highway near my home cruising at about 65 MPH, when a vehicle entering from the entrance ramp forced an 18 wheeler to move into my lane. In order to avoid a collision, I floored it. Before I knew it my tires were spinning and I was sideways, looking at guardrails. It scared the hell out of me. . At this point I am willing to pay what ever it takes to fix this problem, as I think it is dangerous to drive my car without ABS, or Traction Control.
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Does anyone know if there is someone associated with this forum who might be an expert in something like this?. I was recently on an interstate highway near my home cruising at about 65 MPH, when a vehicle entering from the entrance ramp forced an 18 wheeler to move into my lane. In order to avoid a collision, I floored it. Before I knew it my tires were spinning and I was sideways, looking at guardrails. It scared the hell out of me. . At this point I am willing to pay what ever it takes to fix this problem, as I think it is dangerous to drive my car without ABS, or Traction Control.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Does anyone know if there is someone associated with this forum who might be an expert in something like this?. I was recently on an interstate highway near my home cruising at about 65 MPH, when a vehicle entering from the entrance ramp forced an 18 wheeler to move into my lane. In order to avoid a collision, I floored it. Before I knew it my tires were spinning and I was sideways, looking at guardrails. It scared the hell out of me. . At this point I am willing to pay what ever it takes to fix this problem, as I think it is dangerous to drive my car without ABS, or Traction Control.
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From: Portland OR
Well, a couple of things.
There are tables in the tune related to the traction control.
Both for timing and throttle.
Perhaps someone mucked with them?
Also, the stock system assumes a 350-400hp engine. You have how many hp?
The Traction Control System likely has no chance of controlling that.
I’m not 100% sure, but the rear brakes might play a roll as well. They certainly do when trying to do a burnout (A4 car), even with the TC off.
I gather you learned the hard way that high powered C5’s will go apeshit out of control at freeway speeds when you hammer them. Especially A4 cars when they down shift.
So either put some real sticky rubber in the back, like drag radials, or, just don’t do that!
Ron
There are tables in the tune related to the traction control.
Both for timing and throttle.
Perhaps someone mucked with them?
Also, the stock system assumes a 350-400hp engine. You have how many hp?
The Traction Control System likely has no chance of controlling that.
I’m not 100% sure, but the rear brakes might play a roll as well. They certainly do when trying to do a burnout (A4 car), even with the TC off.
I gather you learned the hard way that high powered C5’s will go apeshit out of control at freeway speeds when you hammer them. Especially A4 cars when they down shift.
So either put some real sticky rubber in the back, like drag radials, or, just don’t do that!
Ron