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Just heard back from the dealership. Other than the typical list of things they recommended, the issue is corroded plug wires.. I was told the plugs are fine and not recommended to be replaced till 100k, but the wires are corroded(even some not directly related to the issue). I am by no means a mechanic, so it sounds logical to me. Maybe its a humidity issue in south florida? dunno..
I mentioned the known telescoping steering issue and was informed it was checked along with TPMS and several other sensors i don't recall the names of. Anyway, a sub five hundred dollar repair bill sounds better than what I was imagining it could have cost. Thanks for all the input guys! Tim
I took my car for a trip up over Sonora Pass today (9,623' elevation). Like most two-lane mountain roads, the highway (CA 108) going to the summit from either side is steep, winding, and calls for lots of braking on the downhills. Just after cresting the summit, the Traction Control warning light and "Service Active Handling System" message came on in the DIC. The car drove perfectly fine despite the warnings. I got to my destination and shut the car off - - it sat for about an hour.
When I restarted the car, the warnings were still present. I drove back over the pass on the way home, still with no issues aside from the warnings; made a stop partway home and shut the car off. When I restarted this time, the Traction Control warning light went off and there was no message in the DIC.
Would the winding, mountain roadway and lots of braking have possibly caused the warnings, or do I have something else going on that I need checked out? Any information would be appreciated.
I took my car for a trip up over Sonora Pass today (9,623' elevation). Like most two-lane mountain roads, the highway (CA 108) going to the summit from either side is steep, winding, and calls for lots of braking on the downhills. Just after cresting the summit, the Traction Control warning light and "Service Active Handling System" message came on in the DIC. The car drove perfectly fine despite the warnings. I got to my destination and shut the car off - - it sat for about an hour.
When I restarted the car, the warnings were still present. I drove back over the pass on the way home, still with no issues aside from the warnings; made a stop partway home and shut the car off. When I restarted this time, the Traction Control warning light went off and there was no message in the DIC.
Would the winding, mountain roadway and lots of braking have possibly caused the warnings, or do I have something else going on that I need checked out? Any information would be appreciated.
As these C6s with telescoping columns age i suspect we will see many more of these failures. These can and WILL cause accidents on the highway.
The root cause of the problem is the steering angle sensor which falls out of its mount when you use a telescoping column that is failing. The steering column worm gears which allow it to move up/down corrodes over time of inactivity/age and locks the center shaft of the column. When you have the column as far towards you as possible (tall people), and you dont move it for a while, it will be far more likely to fail.
When the center shaft locks up, the column will still move up and down and end up locking up against the steering angle sensor at the base of the steering column. The SAS is (stupidly, i might add) mounted via shitty GM plastic mounts. The column motor wins against the mounts, punches it through the mounts and the SPS will end up "free hanging".
The AHS system uses the SAS to dtermine which way the steering wheel is pointed and if you hit a bump, the SAS "jumps" so the car thinks you're trying to turn, but using the YAW sensor it realizes the car ISNT turning. This makes it lock up tires in an attempt to get you out of a slide that isnt actually happening.
When I first had these symptoms i was driving my car into a 90degree city street turn and the brakes started randomly locking up. I figured it was just bad roads/big tires so I ignored it - then, i got on the highway and went into a slight turn and hit a bump - the bump knocked the SAS and my car started slamming brakes left and right. Luckily, i didn't spin out and i was able to disconnect the SAS and drive with my "AHS error" lit up.
To fix it, its relatively easy:
First, you have to disconnect the steering column. MUCH easier than you would think. Just make sure you dsiconnect the battery (air bags), and you tape the steering wheel to the cowl behind it (to prevent cable reel failure).
The column itself only mounts one way to the shaft coming through the firewall. Bottom two kick panels and the top steering wheel bezel have to be removed, and then its just a few electrical connectors and 4 big bolts. Make sure the SAS doesnt spin by itself either - it is zeroed from factory and it is a pain in the *** ot get it zeroed again. The telescoping motor is also kind of a pain to remove, you need 12 pt sockets... of 5 or 6mm IIRC.
Once removed, you have to put rust penetrant/grease back into the worm gears to unjam and free the column. Once its freely moving, the column is fixed.
Two things causing this:
1) Shitty GM plastic mounts (really, such an important part and you couldnt use a goddamn aluminum mount??)
2) rust/binding of telescoping wheel
Its also possible that your TPMS, yaw sensor, or BCM is going bad but i have seen a few other posts regarding this SAS mount issue and I believe it'll show up a lot more in humid states/taller drivers/low mileage C6s.
Are you sure you didnt "bump" the column forward or backwards? or that you dont have "easy entry" or whatever its called turned on? The EE automatically moves the steering column up/down to get you into the car easier...
My symptoms did show up during a slight curve on the highway as well.
I guess you were just over the car tho, sometimes you get over a vehicle and its time to move on. Looks like this was the straw that broke the camels back?
Sad to hear of a fixable car being traded to a dealer though, If I was local I would've checked it out for you and tried to fix it so you could get some more $ from it at the very least.
This is the first detailed explanation I've seen like this, and is also the first time I've heard it blamed on the sensor mount. The last bulletin I read from GM on it, they blamed it on the electrical connector for the sensor, and made some sort of plastic "comb" device to apply more pressure to the pins in the electrical connector.
This is the first detailed explanation I've seen like this, and is also the first time I've heard it blamed on the sensor mount. The last bulletin I read from GM on it, they blamed it on the electrical connector for the sensor, and made some sort of plastic "comb" device to apply more pressure to the pins in the electrical connector.
Many thanks for re-posting this information. It gives me a place to start in terms of diagnosing what caused the warnings in the first place. I'd hate to have the SAS come loose and cause my brakes to lock up - - especially where I live and the way other people drive. . .
The OP didn't mention what year model his car was, and depending on year model, I've seen problems with the Active suspension blamed on everything from bad plug wires to faulty connectors or a bad body control module, and now you can add broken mounts for the steering sensor to the list.
There is a rather long thread about it here, where NHTSA got invovled, and I believe either a recall or a TSB was issued that was tied to problems with the electrical connector under the dash for the steering angle sensor.
GM made an "effort" to address the AH/TCS concern by releasing Technical Service Bulletin 06-02-35-002B THE BULLETIN WAS INTENDED TO CORRECT A FRETTING CORROSION PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHEEL POSITION SENSOR CONNECTOR C202. This went from installing a zip tie to now inserting a "clip" to ensure the wire is not frayed or pulled taught.
Wiring Harness: All Technical Service Bulletins
Electrical - Service Active handling Message/DTC C0710
Bulletin No.: 06-02-35-002B
Date: October 19, 2007
TECHNICAL
Subject:
Stabilitrak/Active Handling Light On, Service Stabilitrak/Active Handling Message on DIC, DTC C0710 Steering Wheel Position Sensor (SWPS)
Signal Set (Install Clip in SWPS Connector)
with Steering Wheel - Tilt, Telescoping (RPO N37 or N38)
Supercede:
This bulletin is being revised to update the models and provide new correction information. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 06-02-35-002A
(Section 02 - Steering).
Condition
Some customers may comment on a Stabilitrak(R) or Active Handling System light being illuminated. Also, this warning light will be accompanied by a
SERVICE STABILITRAK or SERVICE ACTIVE HNDLG message on the DIC. Diagnosis with a scan tool may reveal a DTC C0710.
Cause
The most likely cause of a DTC C0710 on a vehicle equipped with telescoping/tilt steering wheel is high resistance in SWPS connector C202. Fretting
terminal corrosion may be present in the SWPS connector due to the telescoping motion of the steering column. When the steering column is telescoped
in and out, the female terminals within the SWPS connector may move on the male terminals of the SWPS. This movement between the terminals may
cause a high resistance condition in the SWPS connector.
Correction
Remove the drivers side closeout (insulator) panel.
Locate the SWPS connector that connects to the steering angle sensor, located on the lower center of the steering column.
Install the clip (1), P/N 19179794, into the connector. This clip will act as a terminal positive assurance (TPA) and prevent any movement of the
terminals.
Reinstall the closeout panel.
Clear the DTC with a scan tool and road test the vehicle.
Personally, I've considered just cutting this connector out altogether and soldering and heat shrinking the wires together. If it ever needs to be removed for maintenance, it wouldn't be that big of a deal to cut the wires, and how often do you have to remove your steering column anyway?
This is the first detailed explanation I've seen like this, and is also the first time I've heard it blamed on the sensor mount. The last bulletin I read from GM on it, they blamed it on the electrical connector for the sensor, and made some sort of plastic "comb" device to apply more pressure to the pins in the electrical connector.
From what I read on the forums, the fretting that the comb fixes occurs early on the cars lifespan (few years). The issue I had was from a 6 year old car that had low miles and a tall previous owner. I've also read a few others who have had the same problem. The fretting issue would not occur during bumps/cornering as much as the broken mount will, and fretting issue will be way more sporadic since its an intermittent contact issue.
For what it's worth: brand new 2005 on day 2 of ownership - Service Active Handling lit up while on highway. Pulled over, shut engine off. Counted to 10. Started again. No more problems for about 3 years - then while pulling out of driveway, same message and right front brake locks up. Engine off and on several times, finally problem went away. Dealer did a "factory fix". And then I traded it in. On a new one of course.
From what I read on the forums, the fretting that the comb fixes occurs early on the cars lifespan (few years). The issue I had was from a 6 year old car that had low miles and a tall previous owner. I've also read a few others who have had the same problem. The fretting issue would not occur during bumps/cornering as much as the broken mount will, and fretting issue will be way more sporadic since its an intermittent contact issue.
Do you have any photos of the repair you did or what you found?
Do you have any photos of the repair you did or what you found?
I dont think i took any. I do have pictures of my steering column removed though. If I ever tear into it again ill take some.
Basically, at the base of the steering column there is a support bearing that holds the column shaft in alignment. That bearing is held in place by a plastic holder thats attached to the shaft mounting bracket. The mounting bracket (internally) has a splined shaft that allows the steering wheel to adjust up and down. When those splines seize, as you adjust the steering wheel down, the bearing pushes itself out of the bracket (plastic mount, the plastic is very brittle). the SAS is attached below that bracket. When the bearing pushes out, it takes out the SAS out of it's mounting bracket as well.
A little hard to visualize but its something like:
-steering shaft-[SAS][support bearing in holder]--(telescoping shaft)--steering wheel
I dont think i took any. I do have pictures of my steering column removed though. If I ever tear into it again ill take some.
Basically, at the base of the steering column there is a support bearing that holds the column shaft in alignment. That bearing is held in place by a plastic holder thats attached to the shaft mounting bracket. The mounting bracket (internally) has a splined shaft that allows the steering wheel to adjust up and down. When those splines seize, as you adjust the steering wheel down, the bearing pushes itself out of the bracket (plastic mount, the plastic is very brittle). the SAS is attached below that bracket. When the bearing pushes out, it takes out the SAS out of it's mounting bracket as well.
A little hard to visualize but its something like:
-steering shaft-[SAS][support bearing in holder]--(telescoping shaft)--steering wheel
Is there any easy way to get grease into the splines as a preventative measure so they don't seize up?
I just got the Service Active Handling System message yesterday. Went into some sort of limp mode. Felt like it was running on 4 cylinders. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
2011 GS with 22,xxx miles.
I just got the Service Active Handling System message yesterday. Went into some sort of limp mode. Felt like it was running on 4 cylinders. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
2011 GS with 22,xxx miles.
I just got the Service Active Handling System message yesterday. Went into some sort of limp mode. Felt like it was running on 4 cylinders. Taking it to the dealer tomorrow.
2011 GS with 22,xxx miles.
Turned out to be a bad coil pack. The plug wire had worked it's way loose and had burned up the coil.
Back in business.
Turned out to be a bad coil pack. The plug wire had worked it's way loose and had burned up the coil.
Back in business.
Glad that's all it was.
Turned out that my issue with the warning light and DIC message was probably from the winding mountain roadway and giving the car a little gas while rounding the tight curves. There may have been some wheel slip triggering and abnormal condition "fault" in the Traction Control circuit and thus, throwing a code. The nice thing is that it cleared itself and hasn't happened again.
Hope you warned the person or dealer you sold this to, otherwise you admittance to the issue on here leaves you open to possible legal issues in the future. Most importantly, Let's hope no one else experiences the lock-up issue and gets hurt from an issue that could be avoided and they do get the issue fixed on this great car.
I'm still wondering if there is a way to get into the steering column and grease the splines... Anybody ever done this?
There are lots of threads on this issue that date back for a decade or more. From what I have read most lead back to the connector under the steering column that goes to the SPS. ( steering wheel position sensor). There was a fix from GM to add a comb to this connector to insure a good connection but is only for the early C6 models. Up until mid production year 2008. There are lots of reasons for the "service active handling" alarm to come on but the main concern is when your car is trying to correct your driving by braking when it does not need to.
Thank god my late production 2008 had not had this issue but it still scares the **** out of me and I NEVER extent the steering wheel fully out.
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