trac off issue

[cavasinj]

Hey all- i have replaced both my front wheel bearing assemblies already as they both went bad. Now my problem is that the trac off light i son all the time, as is the abs light. So, as I didn't like the traction system when it was operating correctly, I am curious if there is a way to simply disable the trac system, without affecting abs or if these both turn off as a "precaution" . Also, as both of the back hubs/bearings are fine, then why the hell other than a bad sensor would this happen, and of course are the computer diagnostics good enough to detect just a bad sensor?

Thanks all
joe

[cavasinj]

anyone awake yet?

[kraziqtashes]

I'm having a similar problem I believe. My Trac Off and Anti Lock lights come on at the exact same time. I'm hoping someone responds to this as I am curious about what it is.

[BNaylor]

Computer diagnostics are good enough to detect ABS DTC error codes, however, you're probably limited to a dealer that has a Tech II machine. A TII will read GM manufacturer specific chassis codes in which ABS is part of.

Some high end hand held scanners can also read GM ABS cdes.

[cavasinj]

bnaylor- I know what ABS is, but what do you mean by an ABS DTC code? never heard that before...

Last night I even tried unplugging and cleaning both front connections to the sensors, and nothing, so I assume that a sensor is bad.

Thanks

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by cavasinj

bnaylor- I know what ABS is, but what do you mean by an ABS DTC code? never heard that before...

Last night I even tried unplugging and cleaning both front connections to the sensors, and nothing, so I assume that a sensor is bad.

Thanks

DTC is short for Diagnostic Trouble Code. Did you say you replaced the front wheel hub/bearing assembly earlier? What brand replacement did you use?

[cavasinj]

Yep. Replaced both hubs, as they went bad about 1 year after I bought the 'beauty'. Brand though, not recalling, replaced them about april/may of this year. All I can recall off the top of my head is that they have a lifetime warranrty, whatever that means. I can, however tell you that I bought them at Murrays, if thats any help.

[ddavis]

Originally Posted by cavasinj

anyone awake yet?

I am new at this, but my trac light jumps on all the time and then it is very hard to drive it's almost like the transmission is going out

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by ddavis

I am new at this, but my trac light jumps on all the time and then it is very hard to drive it's almost like the transmission is going out

Probably a bad wheel sensor which is located in the hub/wheel bearing assembly.

[vamc]

bnaylor3400- i agree with you on this one. I dont have a better answer.

[ddavis]

Originally Posted by vamc

bnaylor3400- i agree with you on this one. I dont have a better answer.

glad you replied back to me, the problem with the trac is worst by the day. I'll have someone take a look for me. Thanks

[kernalklink]

before having someone look at it check your air intake sensor, i was having the same problem and it was that i accidentally unplugged the air intake sensor when tuning up. it was shifting so hard that i thought the tranny was going out i took the car into Tuffy and had it hooked up to their computer. all they did was reconnect my air intake sensor and viola it runs beautifully again!

[ddavis]

Originally Posted by kernalklink

before having someone look at it check your air intake sensor, i was having the same problem and it was that i accidentally unplugged the air intake sensor when tuning up. it was shifting so hard that i thought the tranny was going out i took the car into Tuffy and had it hooked up to their computer. all they did was reconnect my air intake sensor and viola it runs beautifully again!

Thanks, I'm going to check it out now, will let you know what happens

[cavasinj]

Hey all- recently had my damn service vehicle soon, brake, anti lock, and trac off lights come on again. Took it to a mechanic who ran the computer on it, and found that both the front wheel speed sensors were sending infrequently or not at all. Also, the codes 1232 and 1233 turned up. He thought I needed to change the trac off switch. I think thats crap. He also wants me to do a pricey test, measuring the resistance across the sensor. Does anyone have advice, know how I can do this, know of a cheap ohm-meter (or something similar) I can use? Also both hubs have a life-time warranty, so I could always just trade them in for new ones...

Also- another thought. My car had been rattling intermittently. Only when the a/c was off, would it rattle, and only occasionally, even then. It has become more persistent over time. The tech looking at my car noticed that the pulley on the a/c compressor is rubbing against what he called the "clutch palte" of the compressor. Usually there is an 1/8 inch or so space between the two. Can I fix this, or is this a signal that the compressor wants to end its life?

Thanks again.
joe

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by cavasinj

Hey all- recently had my damn service vehicle soon, brake, anti lock, and trac off lights come on again. Took it to a mechanic who ran the computer on it, and found that both the front wheel speed sensors were sending infrequently or not at all. Also, the codes 1232 and 1233 turned up. He thought I needed to change the trac off switch. I think thats crap. He also wants me to do a pricey test, measuring the resistance across the sensor. Does anyone have advice, know how I can do this, know of a cheap ohm-meter (or something similar) I can use? Also both hubs have a life-time warranty, so I could always just trade them in for new ones...

Thanks again.
joe

On wheel sensor resistance all GM "N" bodies - Grand Am, Alero, Malibu, it can be measured with a digital multimeter in the ohms position. You can get cheapy but effective meters at Radio Shack.

It will read a range of 1530 - 1870 ohms.

Sounds like you may have to take advantage of the lifetime warranty on the hub/bearing assembly. Good luck!