traction light/service engine..and antifr..

Okay gang.. Here's the deal..

About 3 years ago, right before we moved out of state, we had the brakes replaced on our 2002 Alero. I took it to a shop because our lives were too packed at the time packing (heh) for the move. The car sat the day after, and the following day was move day (car was on a trailer, all four tires off the ground).

Now because it's been 3+ years now, my memory isn't so well. I want to say these two lights came on the day we picked the car up, like we noticed them come on while driving home from the shop. But with all that was going on, were unable to do anything about it at that time. From the experience of having a busted wheel sensor in my Jeep GC, I figured it was the same thing, the shop probably damaged a sensor during the install. Not like we could postpone the move to go complain...

So, fast forward three years of driving with (what I thought) was a busted sensor, and it's brake-time again. Because of the sensor and my not knowing necessarily HOW to replace it, we again decided to take it to a shop. They replaced the brakes, removed all four sensors (since I couldn't tell them which was bad, heh), and tested them. All four passed. Left the shop happy, because they didn't charge me a dime for the time they spent on the sensors, but also wondering if they were just feeding me a line (reputable shop, seemed nice, but was dumbfounded when they said the sensors were fine).

Next line of defense was taking the car to Autozone, where a friend told me they would do the ODB diagnostic for free so I could find out exactly why these lights are on. Amazingly the car reports it is in perfect running order. Had to see the screen for myself the second time the tech/employee ran the test. The test he said has to be run with the ignition switch 'on' but not with engine running. He told me any previous errors would show up, etc, because I questioned that the trac/service lights don't come on till the car is running. His best guess was possibly a short somewhere..

I now turn to my third line of defense, the definitively wise people of the internet :) Fellas.. Anyone heard of this being a problem? What else can I check? (Obviously I pulled and verified all related fuses). Where do I go from here (other then the GM dealer $$$$). I've no problem getting dirty, and can handle a wrenches and multimeters equally.

I really want to get this car working right, because with those lights on, the power assist steering doesn't work (vaguely remember when it did, rofl, been so long), and of course, in the case of an emergency, I have no anti-lock brakes.

My first place of suspicion(sp??) is POSSIBLY the trac disable switch. It really bugs me where they put it to begin with, right below the cup area, and after the tech mentioned a short, first images in my head were of the wife (daily driver of the car) or one of my three young kids (2,3,8) spilling something in that area. Problem though is that doesn't explain why the service engine light would be on, as that light did not come on with the traction system was disengaged. If anyone agrees that this would be a good place to start, let me know, AND let me know HOW to get to that switch :)

Lastly..

AntiFreeze.. Our car has that sweet small of antifreeze (well, DexCool, I suppose). Every month or so the tank (formerly called an overflow tank) runs low/empty and the light comes on. Temps are always perfectly stable where they should be. There is no puddling under the car that can be seen, just the 'sweet sweet scent' of Antifreeze. I realize this is more of a visual thing, but if anyone can point out problem spots that might be known, I'd appreciate it. I've recently rinsed off the engine to be able to watch more carefully. This (last ngiht) was the third fillup. First time I chalked it up to the car being 5 years old.. Needed some Antifreeze finally (plus we're in Az so it's HOT!!!). Second time, I thought, well, after reading that massively complex how-to in the owner's manual about HOW to add DexCool, maybe I didn't follow a step right. (You know.. like, if the tank is empty, add some, run car for 5 min, add more, tighten cap, loosen cap.. Geeze, could it be any more of a hassle to simply add some coolant??). Third time (now) I'm like.. Okay, manual sucks, followed it, HAS to be a problem somewhere.. Did a quick visual, saw nothing (and like I mentioned, no puddling under car), but also realized there is ALOT of road crud built up in the crevices of my engine area, and if the AF is simply 'misting' from somewhere (and not shooting up where I can see it) it's likely with all that crud I'd not even notice it! So, yea.. took care of that. Wife went off to work today and will check each day when she returns, but would love some pointers if anyone has any!

Thanks for taking the time.. I appreciate it! Looking for any help on these 2 matters that I can get.

As you probably know, the sensors are built into the wheel hubs and cannot be removed from the car without also removing the hubs. The shop probably just unplugged the sensors and tested them in place, which is fine. However, the connectors on the hubs are known to corrode or get moisture in them, causing an ABS/Trac off light. Also, and more likely, the wiring from the hubs runs over/around the suspension and steering components, which eventually break it. Look at the hubs, the only wires going to them are the ABS sensor wires. trace them as far as you can, looking especially anywhere the wire passes near anything that moves.
The traction control switch can be accessed by removing the plastic piece around the shifter. Get a small screwdriver, and look on the front of the shifter knob about 4 inches below the top. Pry out the clip, and the knob should just pull off. Then, carefully pry all around the entire plastic housing. It is just clipped in place, and should just pop off after some carefull work. The traction control switch is then accessible. My guess is the service engine light is not related to the trac off light.
I had a similar situation in my Impala, and it turned out to be low brake fluid. the Alero has a brake fluid level sensor also, on the reservior. Check that, maybe the shop removed too much fluid when the put on new pads.

Tnx for the help - Will check it out over this weekend, and report my findings :)

Which engine do you have? 2.2 L4 or 3.4 V6?

Are you referring to the service engine soon light (SES) or service vehicle soon light (SVS)? The ABS/Trac Off lights are coming on during movement because it is failing the second part of ABS initialization when the wheel sensors are tested.

Note that Autozone does not scan for ABS and traction control system problems in any car. Emissions only. An ABS capable scanner must be used preferably one that detects and read GM ABS DTC codes like a Tech II.

Based on your symptoms you may have other issues like the electronic brake and traction control module (EBTCM) since you are getting a loss of power steering and no control of traction which will require better diagnostics using a scan tool similar to the Tech II. The EBTCM module controls the EVO actuator used for the power steering. Otherwise it is just a guessing game.

If you have the 3.4L engine for your coolant loss problem which is serious if it is using that much you need to check into getting the lower intake manifold gaskets replaced which is common for an unexplained loss of coolant which is being consumed in combustion.