Need help with ABS/TC
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
C codes are considered “chassis” code. This particular code is for GM and relates to the traction control system. The traction control system gets its data from the ABS system. When it detects one wheel spinning faster than the others, or one wheel locking up, it activates the traction control system. Depending on the generation of traction control, the system will activate the ABS brakes to reduces spinning, or, in later models can actually reduce engine power. Late model systems include yaw sensors and steering position sensors to detect the difference between the driver’s intention from the steering wheel and the actually direction the vehicle is moving.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 245
Likes: 4
From: Oklahoma City Oklahoma
C codes are considered “chassis” code. This particular code is for GM and relates to the traction control system. The traction control system gets its data from the ABS system. When it detects one wheel spinning faster than the others, or one wheel locking up, it activates the traction control system. Depending on the generation of traction control, the system will activate the ABS brakes to reduces spinning, or, in later models can actually reduce engine power. Late model systems include yaw sensors and steering position sensors to detect the difference between the driver’s intention from the steering wheel and the actually direction the vehicle is moving.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 560
Likes: 86
From: Port St Lucie Florida
C codes are considered “chassis” code. This particular code is for GM and relates to the traction control system. The traction control system gets its data from the ABS system. When it detects one wheel spinning faster than the others, or one wheel locking up, it activates the traction control system. Depending on the generation of traction control, the system will activate the ABS brakes to reduces spinning, or, in later models can actually reduce engine power. Late model systems include yaw sensors and steering position sensors to detect the difference between the driver’s intention from the steering wheel and the actually direction the vehicle is moving.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
In the case of this GM code, the electronic brake control module (EBCM) is what disables the traction control system or the vehicle stability enhancement system.
The code means the EBCM is receiving faulty data from other modules or is faulty itself.
I think your problem would be easier to get checkout by a dealer, with nothing really pointing to the actual cause, I feel it a guessing game.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,843
Likes: 330
From: western NY
The 550 code is setting the 281 code. There are also a couple of different parts to the 550 code that mean different things. A suffix of 00, 01, or 04 mean different conditions. You're sort of stabbing in the dark as 'extrapilot' said.
You're probably going to need a real scan tool and access to a good information system to figure this out on your own.
Have you checked everywhere for wires that may be rubbing on something that may be shorted? I just had a ZR1 in the shop a month ago that popped all sorts of suspension, ABS, EVAP codes etc. Car went to the dealer first....they said they found a chaffed/shorted wire near the rear axle & repaired it. Owner takes the car back out and same condition. Turns out the dealer 'fixed' a ground wire....yes a ground wire that was bolted to the frame 6 inches from his repair. He wrapped the crap out of it with black tape.
I started looking everywhere and found a harness near the dry sump tank in the engine compt. that was rubbing on the sump tank flange and had been causing an intermittent short. Verified the circuits affected on schematics and with voltmeter. Repaired the harness and all good.
You're probably going to need a real scan tool and access to a good information system to figure this out on your own.
Have you checked everywhere for wires that may be rubbing on something that may be shorted? I just had a ZR1 in the shop a month ago that popped all sorts of suspension, ABS, EVAP codes etc. Car went to the dealer first....they said they found a chaffed/shorted wire near the rear axle & repaired it. Owner takes the car back out and same condition. Turns out the dealer 'fixed' a ground wire....yes a ground wire that was bolted to the frame 6 inches from his repair. He wrapped the crap out of it with black tape.
I started looking everywhere and found a harness near the dry sump tank in the engine compt. that was rubbing on the sump tank flange and had been causing an intermittent short. Verified the circuits affected on schematics and with voltmeter. Repaired the harness and all good.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 315
From: Bridgewater New Jersey
I know...
I just re-read your update from the first post and what I can take away from it is that the car has some kind of electrical connection issues with a loose connector or a loose ground wire.
I found a guy on you-tube that has a similar issue with his EBCM, (electronic brake control module). What the video shows is the electrical connectors, which could very well be your cause of the ABS light coming on when hitting a bump. There are two, a small one on the top and another one at the lower side that has a lever this is pulled back to disconnect. If these are loose/dirty/ or has a broken wire leading to this unit, this could possibly be the issue. Check the harness of the EBCM (as jft69z has experienced) for a grounded wire from a cut insulation exposing a bare lead around sharp edges on the chassis.
Link...
I just re-read your update from the first post and what I can take away from it is that the car has some kind of electrical connection issues with a loose connector or a loose ground wire.
I found a guy on you-tube that has a similar issue with his EBCM, (electronic brake control module). What the video shows is the electrical connectors, which could very well be your cause of the ABS light coming on when hitting a bump. There are two, a small one on the top and another one at the lower side that has a lever this is pulled back to disconnect. If these are loose/dirty/ or has a broken wire leading to this unit, this could possibly be the issue. Check the harness of the EBCM (as jft69z has experienced) for a grounded wire from a cut insulation exposing a bare lead around sharp edges on the chassis.
Link...
Last edited by extrapilot; Jul 2, 2016 at 10:19 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 8,466
Likes: 51
St. Jude Donor '17
Update...cleared the codes. Still have the C0561 code is current and traction control light is pretty much on all the time (but not 100%). Additionally, with heavy braking I'll get ABS to activate and then have service ABS display come up along with the light. The dealership wants to charge $125 just to look at the car so I'm still trying to troubleshoot, if anyone has any pointers. Thanks
EBCM was replaced problem remained
Replaced wheel bearing problem cleared and now has returned
Last edited by Got uid0; Jul 3, 2016 at 05:44 PM.
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