I OWN A 2003 Z06, which I am told the Z06's never came with active handling, but it does have traction control. My Vette has been in the shop for quite some time getting other repairs done and I was test driving it last weekend and the code "Service Active Handling and shocks, Maximum speed 159mph" came up. The car would pull hard through the gears until 80mph and then it was like there was a govenor on it and would go any faster than that. The shop called me today and said they were taking it to one of their friendly Cherolet dealers to have them pull the codes and see if the computer somehow got corrupted during its last tune on the dyno.

If they can get it sorted out, then they'll get it back and put the tune on it that we want and then on the Dyno.

This was my son's Z06 and he just used it for racing. He passed away from a motorcycle accident last June. I have had it in the shop since then getting everything fixed that was wrong with it, new tranny, radiator, fans, skid plates, etc, etc. So far I'm well over $12k and have only drive it about 50 miles.

Has anyone heard of anything like this?

 

NVL-AV8R...first thanks for your service. I appreciate what you have done, and will do for us.

And I appreciate what you have done for us in this SAH problem. As I posted on previous page we had our first 2 SAH events the day before yesterday. I have called and left msgs with Ernest but have not gotten a response. Today I called both local GM dealerships and spoke with their Service Depts. Neither of them had heard of the issue...both wanted me to bring it in for code downloads. Both thought it was a steering or wheel sensor...I explained this thread and they really didn't care...bring it in for codes (at my expense) or not...not great service on a clear safety related failure....very disappointing. What I am going to do is purchase the "afro comb" and install it as outlined in your pictures.

Very disappointed in GM's response...you are absolutely correct...in the aviation world this would ground the fleet...but apparently there haven't been enough deaths involved to be cost effective to actually fix this issue.

Well...thanks again...Bob K

 

When I hear back from my shop what the dealer tells them, I will post the results up on the forum for everyone else. No one (in Houston) had actually heard of this happening on a C5 Z06, so I told them it was probably the ghost of my son, not wanting anyone but him driving HIS Z06 above the Legal posted speed limit. ;0) . . . like anyone would EVER break the law, especially with a Vette.

I'll keep you posted,

Mopar-Mike :aka ChadModDad or Dadmod

 

Mike


All ZO6 cars have active handling. Its the RPO JL4 : ACTICE HANDLING

Active Handling
In 1998 General Motors developed a system called "Active Handling" in 1998 which has a stability control feature that utilizes on-board sensors to measure the vehicle's lateral acceleration, yaw rate, and steering wheel position. These sensors work in conjunction with the vehicle's Anti-lock braking system and traction control system which automatically assist a vehicle's driver in understeering and oversteering situations. The Z06 came standard with the second generation "Active Handling" system. The second generation system added the following substantial improvements to the original system:

New Pressure Modulator
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes the Bosch version 5.3 hydraulic pressure modulator. Bosch improved this version to become smaller, quieter and more efficient at lower temperatures. The new modulator can operate at -4 °F (-20 °C) resulting in accelerated functioning capacity after cold startups. The pressure sensor originally located in the master cylinder was also integrated into the new pressure modulator.

Dynamic Rear Proportioning
The second-generation Active Handling system utilizes a newly designed dynamic rear brake proportioning system. The new enhancement is a software driven improvement which balances the rear brake pressure electronically thus preventing rear brake bias also known as "Brake Lockup". The new system replaces the physically standard brake proportioning valve and its tubing components thus reducing weight and overall complexity.

Sideslip Angle Rate Control
The second-generation Active Handling system received a major addition in the form of a sideslip angle rate control. This addition is software based and senses a driver's response time to changing vehicle movements during handling maneuvers. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicles braking and traction control systems to maintain the stability of the vehicle based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors.

Coefficient of Friction Estimation
The second-generation Active Handling system received another software upgrade in the form of improved calibration algorithms that estimate the friction coefficient of road surfaces. As traction on roads decreases (such as slippery road surfaces), a vehicle is biased towards slipping sideways. The new coefficient estimation takes this traction problem into account and factors it in with the rest of the Active Handling system inputs.

Rear Brake Stability Control
The second-generation Active Handling system also added another software enhancement in the form of a rear brake stability control. This addition releases brake pressure on the inside rear wheel during high lateral acceleration maneuvers. This system assists drivers who do not estimate radius turns correctly during high speed and light braking. The system compensates for driver errors by utilizing the vehicle's braking system thus allowing for a more predictable maneuver while keeping the vehicle on its initial vector.

Better Coordination
As has already been stated the Active Handling system works in conjunction with the Traction Control System. The second generation system continues this relationship but has been modified and refined to target specific rear brake pressures and control engine torque based upon the parameters programmed by General Motors. This modification results in improved acceleration and fewer engine sags.

Competitive Mode
The second-generation Active Handling system incorporated into the Z06 has a unique featured labeled "Competitive Mode". When activated this feature turns the vehicle's Traction Control system off while still employing all the other components of the "Active Handling" system. To enable this feature a driver merely presses down on the Active Handling button for five seconds. This can be done even while the vehicle is in motion.

[edit] Sensors
Steering Angle Sensor: This digital sensor actively monitors the driver's steering inputs and communicates the applied steering wheel angle back to the system. It is accurate to within one degree of steering wheel angle change, and is located inside the steering wheel column.
Yaw-Rate Sensor: This solid-state device utilizes a tiny pair of ceramic tuning forks to measure the actual rate at which the vehicle is pivoting (or yawing) about its center-of-gravity. This data is continuously fed into the Corvette's computer where the yaw rate is compared to the steering angle. Any variation beyond a pre-programmed set of values will result in activation of the appropriate assist feature(s) of the Active Handling System. The yaw-rate sensor on the Corvette is located inside the center console.
Lateral Acceleration Sensor: The lateral accelerometer measures the centrifugal force created during a turn, and is located beneath the passenger seat. The data it provides is weighed against all of the other inputs and is used to calculate whether or not the performance limits of the vehicle are being exceeded under the current speed and traction conditions.
The Second-Generation Active Handling System provides better performance with less perceived intrusion, and is more adept than the original system in controlling the vehicle whenever necessary. The improved agility of the vehicle allows average drivers to perform better during spirited driving, and provides a greater safety margin in emergency situations.

[edit] Summary of Active Handling System Modes
Three different modes are provided in the Active Handling System:

ON — Active Handling is automatically enabled when the vehicle is started. This is also true of the ABS and Traction Control systems.
OFF — Like Traction Control, the Active Handling System may be manually disabled if the driver so desires. This is not true of the ABS, which is always enabled.
COMPETITIVE DRIVING — In this mode, Active Handling and ABS are both enabled, but Traction Control is disabled.
The "OFF" and "COMPETITIVE DRIVING" modes are important features on a high-performance sports car, as skilled drivers may find that some wheelspin and oversteer can be beneficial to their lap times in competitive events. The Corvette's system allows them to operate the car in this fashion when appropriate, although Chevrolet recommends against selecting these modes for street use. [9]


So,,,you have active handling. Your system is different than the C6 and YES, I have had the EBTCM apply the brakes all by its self on my 02 ZO6!
It did it on a straight level dry road and it felt like rapid hard pulsations applied to the front or back wheels (couldnt determine the wheels involved) I had to change the EBTCM.

BC

Bill

 

Well,,,,,i got off my **** today and disassembled the 06 to examine the SWPS connector and see why Im getting more and more frequent messages. The SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING message is appearing a LOT more frequently lately. Its really pissen the wife off!

For those of you that are holding off on this job, once you get under there and get started, it really isn't that difficult. I was more afraid of breaking plastic panels more than the electronics.

Found out I already have the red comb insert. I pushed the connector into the SWPS better and I secured the SWPS wiring harness to another harness next to it to provide better support for the SWPS cable. After I messed with it, I started it up and exercised the column in and out and up and down. WOW,,,,,,no messages so far. Time will tell. All I have to do to really test it out is have the wife drive her car. If it's going to break, it will break on her

I up-date the results of my maintenance afyer a week or so.


NVL_AV8R THANKS for the great pictures and the write up!


Bill C

 

Installed the plastic comb today...found the wire tie in place. Removed it. Thanks for the great pics AV8R...referred to them before and during the work. Now if I can get my back straightened out I'll be in business!!

Will let wife drive car again...and advise if any more "Active Handling" issues.

Thanks again AV8R...for the pics and for your military service.

Bob K

 

I'm having the same problem, no telescoping wheel.

More NHTSA data:

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/pr...h&summary=true

General Motors-NHTSA Investigation Document Correspondence:

http://nhthqnwws112.odi.nhtsa.dot.go...romPublic=true

 

"Ernest" never responded to any of my 5 voice mails that I left him...so today when dialing his number I said "I don't know" instead of entering his extension. This got me some other customer service rep. I explained my problem and at one point she said: It is not a dangerous situation". I advised I do not agree and in fact think it is a safely related issue...and asked how she would like it if her right front brake was applied for no reason. She then advised she had "misspoken".

She advised I should take it in for service, to which I responded I don't want to do that because I am likely to walk out with a new steering wheel sensor, wheel sensor, or who knows what part they will throw at it. She advised I could write GM President & CEO Fredrick Henderson; PO 33170; Detroti, MI 48232, or I could file a safety complaint with the NHTSA at 888-327-4236. I immediately called NHTSA and indeed did file a safety complaint...would suggest that everyone experiencing this do the same. Have to leave for weekend tomorrow but when I get back I'm gonna send Fred a letter.

On a side note I installed the "comb" and wife drove car today with no reactivation of SAH...but she only drove the car 5-10 miles.

Bob

 

NoisC6

Fill out the NHTSA complaint form and give this a guy a call conducting this investiagtion at the NHTSA.

Stephen McHenry stephen.mchenry@dot.gov (202) 366-4883

 

I had an incident a few days ago. As the owner of the previous gen C-5 I am familiar with the active handling and TC in corvettes. I was test driving a 05 coupe 6spd from a dealer in San Antonio Tx. and it felt completely different. I was going around a left turn on the interstate (I-35) at about 50-55mph and downshifted and started to accelerate when the back-end of the car snapped out to the right, or the front pulled to the left and aimed me at the concrete wall. I corrected to the right immediately and the car turned but there did not seem to be any inputs from the TC or the Active Handling through the entire ordeal which resulted in the Corvette loosing its battle with the light pole and my insurance eventually taking a beating. After reading through all these posts, I have heard that rain (moisture) and loss of power (battery) are contributing factors to the AH/TC problems. As this was a used car it sat out the night prior when it rained, the rain had stopped when I test drove the car, but the roads were damp in spots. Second, the battery was just replaced and the salesman was quick to point out that it needed to be in reverse when the car is off or the battery will die.

As I said I have a C-5 and have never lost the back of the car before. I would always feel the active handling/traction control do its job. It almost felt as if the traction control/active handling was not active (no I did not turn it off) when the accident occured. I advised the dealership of this, but he said it was the extra 50hp of the LS-2 that was the reason. Any inputs would be greatly appreciated.......even if you say it was driver error!

 

135 - In all honesty, it sounds as iff the TC/AH did not kick in like it should have. If you didn't disable it, maybe the dealer did or maybe something was wrong with the TC/AH system?

Wet roads, downshifting in a turn and hitting the throttle sounds like the back end would step out on you if the TC/AH didn't do it's job. Always good to "test out" the car before you push it.

 

As I said, they replaced the battery. Do they have to do anything to reset the AH/TC, because it apparently did not work. The roard conditions were dry where the accident occured, and it was nothing i hadn't done in my c-5 before. I never shut the TC/AH off. Will it stay off if the last person to test drive it turned it off, or is it like the C-5 where the button turns it off and on each time it is driven.

 

I'd have to read the manual to be sure, however I thought that regardless of the "previous state", when the car is keyed-of and then keyed-on, the default is AH-On and TC-On. Maybe other could chime in.

I also believe the same is true about a "cold boot" (ie. battery replacement).

Sorry I can not give you 100% conridence on my answer. I am about 98% confident. My manual is in my glovebox and my car is hibernating in a sealed vapor barrier bag until March of 2010. No access until then.

 

QUOTE]inthehunt2;1571964651]I'd have to read the manual to be sure, however I thought that regardless of the "previous state", when the car is keyed-of and then keyed-on, the default is AH-On and TC-On. Maybe other could chime in[/QUOTE]

YES

 

UP-DATE: We have had the car out in all sorts of weather (warm,cold wet and regular old nice weather) and all sorts of steering column positions and have had ZERO errors! So far very GOOD!

If your seeing the SERVICE ACTIVE HANDLING" messages, just making sure that the plug is properly connected getting as much slack in the wire as possible and securing that wiring harness to the harness next to it with a tie wrap, may just resolve the issue.

Bill

 

135Nav...are you a KC135 Navigator??

Bob

 

Thank you for the update

 

Yes 135 guy stationed at Offutt

 

That is what I thought about the AH/TC. I guess the insurance company needs to hook it to the computer to find out why it was not operating, because I know I did not turn it off. Thanks

 

"Yes 135 guy stationed at Offutt "

I asked because I have the utmost respect for tanker crews...especially those from the back in the day when engines were water injected. I was ATC (Tower) at U-Tapao, Thailand 71-72 and again 74-75 and I have to tell you those tanker crews must have had nards the size of basketballs. We had 11,500' runway and I often saw them in the overrun before lift-off...point of no return was probably at the 8000' mark and 140 knots with 20-25 more knots required for liftoff. No chance to stop if something went wrong... BIG NARDS!!

My congrats and thanks for your service.

Bob K