I occasionally get the "Service Active Handling System" message when starting the car. If I turn off the car and restart the message goes away. I have taken it to the dealer and he state no codes come up. Any ideas on what could be the problem? I have a 2008 C-6 with the Z51 suspension package.

 

Do you telescope the wheel in and out every time you get in the car?

 

There was an issue with a connector under the driver's seat that'd trigger SAH. Had it in both my C5 and '06. Fix was silly stupid, literally taping the harness wires together minimizing flex to the pins of the socket.

Thought the problem, if the same, was long addressed by 2008.

 

Have the dealer check the yaw sensor in the steering column. That is the cause of many AH issues.

 

If you don't have a warranty (08 B2B is probably expired) try this before you go to a dealer. Go to an Auto Parts Store that has a scanner that can read ABS codes (in my area Advance Auto has one and the Auto Zone doesn't). When you get the message don't restart the car to make it disappear, go to the store and without ever turning the car off have them read the codes. The EBCM resets with each engine ignition sequence so you don't want to have it reset and make any codes disappear. If the message is on your Active Handling is disabled and there will be some sort of Cxxxx code. Hopefully, there will be some further codes after that as the newer cars have extended codes that can help isolate a problem. Without the fault code anything you do will be guessing. Once you get the code then list it here and somebody may be able to help you with diagnostic procedures and things to check.

Bill

 

thanks for the advice. I believe the steering wheel does move when I get in and start it. I can't check it right now because it is at the dealer getting a new water pump and oil pan gasket under the 5/50 warranty.

 

Had same problem with my 08 with Z51. Problem turned out to be the brake pedal position sensor. Replaced brake pedal switch and on more problem.
Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

Thanks

 

Service Active Handling is a message that simply should not be ignored. Active handling simply stated is a system designed to watch the direction the nose of the car is headed and apply selective brakes if the car thinks that you are going to do something that will result in the car not being able to make it. All fine and good if it functions properly and if you are infact trying to turn at a speed that it can't resolve. However, if you are going straight and the car only "thinks" you are turning bad things can happen. Do not ignore these messages any longer.

There is a TSB on this issue and now a recall. There is a problem in cars with the telescoping steering wheel where the movement of the column can tug on the connector and cause a momentary spike that can send a strange signal to the steering wheel position sensor.

If it is an isolated incedent just watch it. If it happens more than once, take it in for service. If it has happened before, take a trip to the dealership and have the TSB performed to R&R the connector as indicated. Of course this is if your car has the telescoping steering column.

Not to be an alarmist but the repeated tugging on the connector can contribute to a condition called fretting of the connector pins. If this happens they can start a carbon buildup on the surface caused by the repeated arcing. If this buildup becomes enough to change the resistance of the connector it can lead to false readings to the steering wheel position sensor. Any false interpretation of the SWPS can lead to some diabolical behavior of the active handling system and cause the car to take proactive measures to right a perceived wrong. You really don't want this happening at the wrong time.

Other contributors can be an abs sensor or wheel speed sensor failing which can also cause the error message to appear. The last issue that I've also seen contribute was having one tire inflation pressure very high while having the other at or near the low end. This can cause measurement issues from the wheel speed sensor.

As far as the repair, even not under warranty it is a 30 minute exercise and it cost me $41 dollars parts and labor. They need to remove the lower panel under your steering wheel, open the connector, add a small wire jam to lock the terminals in place, reconnect the harness and tape it back up again.

 

^^^ Good stuff Talon. Good to have you, and guys like you around.

 

I have had it to the dealer twice and they say they can't find anything. I will mention the TSB to them and see if I can get them to do something.

 

True, but as long as that message is being displayed the Active Handling system is turned off and will not activate when it shouldn't. It also will not activate when it should. The OP has an 08 which more than likely already has the clip that was installed in the recall (at least my 08 which was built in Dec. 07 had it installed at the factory).

Bill

 

Excellent .

 

As mentioned before in reference to the telescoping steering wheel...I had the dealer replaced swps in 08 and in 11 both times when this would happen my wheel was telescoped out...and after the 2nd replacement I extended the steering wheel out,and I got the service active handling message ,so I telescoped the wheel back in as far as it would go and no more warnings...imho the gm fix for the retaining clip diesnt work,again the only time I ever get this service active handling message is when the wheel is telescoped out.

 

Great info - will the codes specifically identify any of the items you or others have describe here?

vetfever

 

True on all counts....but stranger things have happened. My point was mostly that when the car asks to have a system serviced, it is generally a good idea to listen. While the car should have the clip, as you well know, there could still be a problem with the SWPS. There could be a problem with the ABS or Wheel speed sensors.

 

There should be codes present at least pointing to the right area. Unfortunately, there is a finite number of possible messages and codes and while they will generally point to the area of concern, it isn't always crystal clear what the specific problem actually is and this is where a competent mechanic comes in.

 

As stated earlier in the thread I have had it checked on more than one occasion but no codes are present.

 

Thanks

 

I've stopped telescoping my wheel because it was fixed 2-3 times under warranty due to the sensor in the steering column