Stabilitrak problem

[ckf102]

Guys,
I replaced the SWPS today hoping it would fix my problem of low speed activation of the front brakes when making turns. Well, it didn't.

I am frustrated beyond belief. Does anyone else have any other ideas I can try to fix this? If I don't I might get killed making a left turn across traffic!

Thanks in advance for the help with this 2000 SSEi

Clay

[crash93ssei]

Best bet is to take it in and have it scanned at the dealership. Expensive yes, but at least you know you are replacing what part is defective.

[Archon]

I agree. There are a few things that can cause your problem, and the parts are too expensive to just try a process of elimination. If I had to guess, it would be one of the rear wheel speed sensors, but it is just a guess. You could check with a couple of shops that have a scanner that will read ABS codes cheaper than what the dealer does. Some Adavance Auto Parts stores will do it with the Actron ABS code reader, or you could buy one.

[ckf102]

Thanks for the help....funny thing about this, it activates going forward, but when going in reverse it doesn't activate. I guess I will have to bite the bullet on this one. It just ticks me off that I replaced the sensor, went through hell for it ( Haro's write up is good but working under the dash sucks) and the problem pretty much is still there, just more consistent now.

On a plus side I think I am good on the steering wheel sensor for the rest of my time with the car.....

[harofreak00]

Where are you located?

[ckf102]

Pittsburgh,pa

[ckf102]

FYI...I'll be taking it to a dealer this week. I'll let you know the outcome. I am asking around for a recommended dealer who won't take advantage of the situation.

[ckf102]

Well, here is what happened.....

Dealer replaced the wiring harness and speed sensor cable....still acting up, better now but still acting up. Heading back to the dealer with a ticked off driver now. Round 2 to start this week. Grrrrrrrrr. Any other ideas? I thought it would need flashed for the SWPS to be "desensitized" but that tsb only applies to the auroras.....help!!!!! Your suggestions are appreciated!

[Archon]

Have them give you the error code that they find.

[ckf102]

sitting at the dealer now....they found DTC 1241 but the tech said that that shouldn't trigger the stability control.

we took it for a 20 minute ride and all the sensors were reporting correctly, but the system will still activate. I did tell him about the EBCM that was replaced with a used one about 7 months ago, he is checking that now, but that was flashed by another dealer and tested before I got the car back (work was done by a local shop, then taken to the dealer).

he is checking the wiring and the programming and hopefully finding something.....we shall see. if it is the EBCM again, i don't think I will be putting a grand into this to fix it. I may just disable the stability control and live without it. I just don't have the cash right now considering it was 600 a week ago for this thing to fix the ac clutch, oil change, and left front wheel speed sensor wiring harness.

thoughts???

[harofreak00]

Is that a B1241, C1241 or P1241, they are all different. B-body, C-chassis, P-powertrain.

Also are you sure the numbers didn't get swapped around? C1214 is a EBCM code.

You should be using the dealer only for their scanning capabilities. You could replace the EBCM with a working used one for under $100. Very simple swap.

[ckf102]

The 1241 was for the steering. I believe it was a chassis code. The code was the same number on 2 different dates so I don't think that they transposed the numbers, although it is always possible.

They reprogrammed the Ebcm, so I am assuming that if it was bad, it wouldn't have taken the reprogram.....right?
Here is the funny thing...I get it to activate in a turn, if I do a doughnut for example, I get it to activate once, but I can't always get it to reactivate. Is it possible that a yaw sensor is loose or gets stuck causing it to trip, but acts normal, like it loosens up or something? Is it possible to open one up and see if that is happening?

It feels like I am getting closer, but just not there yet....

[Archon]

DTC C1241 is for the variable effort steering, which is also controlled by the EBCM. It shouldn't affect the stabilitrak, but could point to there being problems within the EBCM that aren't being logged. Because it may have accepted the programming doesn't mean that it will function properly.

[ckf102]

Guys, I got an update.....
I replaced the SWPS AGAIN......at the dealer and he calibrated it. It cleared up like 90% of the problems, but I am still getting low speed activations typically when the wheel is turned over half way one side or the other.

Any other ideas? I already spent like 500 bucks trying to fix this. I want the third time to be a charm...

Here is what has been done to date.....

1 Ebcm was replaced with a used one and the software was updated to the latest calibration
2 left front wheel hub replaced with a timken bearing
3 left front wheel speed harness replaced
4 SWPS replaced twice and calibrated.
5 stabilizer pins, the bolt on either side that attach the sway bar to the suspension on both sides were replaced
6 had one caliper seize, it was repaired but not replaced.
7 had Goodyear triple tread assurance tires installed in October. I noticed a little bit of rub inside the fender wells...

Now I did tune up the car can fix some other non related issues but at this point who knows

Do the any of the other sensors under the seat or in the trunk need calibrated? Is there anything I am missing. Please guys...any, ANY help at all would be appreciated as I am going nuts over this.

Thanks!

[Archon]

About the only part that hasn't been mentioned is the lateral accelerometer. That is next to the rear fuse box. That does not have to be calibrated, however. The only reported problem that I recall with that was one where the connector to it was loose.

What it seems will have to be done is to scan the system while driving, and find where improper readings are originating. Erroneous readings from one of the rear wheel speed sensors can cause various problems with tripping a code. The diagnostics steps for unwanted activation even includes getting the alignment checked.

[ckf102]

Last time I was at the dealer I took the tech out for a run. He had the tech 2 hooked up and was reading the wheel speed sensors. We started to do figure 8's and when it activated, it went nuts. It would activate on anything, but I had to get it once. It was calm until that 1st activation then oh*#!+. He said the speed sensors looked normal, which is why I was hoping for something else.

I cleaned the ground for the Ebcm today, so maybe that might help, doubt it,but who the hell knows at this point. This is so frustrating. My next move is to clean all the wheel speed sensors with electronics cleaner and pray....any thing else I can do on my own without spending a fortune at the dealer?