Traction Control Problems

[Koldark]

Hey all, I am new here. I found this forum looking for a solution to the problem with my car.

It started the weekend after Thanksgiving, when the "Traction Control Service" light came on. The next few days after that it worked fine. Then it came on again and so on. With how it is behaving, I am assuming a loose conection or moisture in the connection. But being I am a computer geek and not a gear-head, I don't know the first place to look to see if that is the problem. I would really like to save the cost of taking it to the shop if possible.

I have an '01 Impalla LS with a 3.8 litre.

[billyo69]

Just drive it .Dont worry about it.You will have all kinds of dash lights coming on .Just ignore most of them.Temp and oil are important.The air bag,security,and others come on and off and if you go to the dealer you better bring a Wells Fargo truck with you.

[Koldark]

Originally Posted by billyo69

Just drive it .Dont worry about it.You will have all kinds of dash lights coming on .Just ignore most of them.Temp and oil are important.The air bag,security,and others come on and off and if you go to the dealer you better bring a Wells Fargo truck with you.

I realize that, that is why I am asking where these connections are so I can check them. I can ignore the security and air bag, but the anti-lock breaks and traction control stop working when these lights come on. I think that would be considered a safety problem in this snowy Minnesota winter.

[billyo69]

I think you are better off in the snow without antilocks and traction control.Its not a safety issue in snow as cars went along fine for years without it.I do agree in the rain it does help but in the snow it sucks.And i dont know where the connections are sorry.

[guenther]

I had the same thing happen to me. Turns out I was low on brake fluid. Topped it off and haven't had a problem since. No joke.

[PatTheRiot]

Is there a way to turn off the anti-lock breaks on a 01 impala? The damn thing is driving me insane when its snowy. Is there a simple wire I can unplug and re-plug as I switch from winter to summer?

P.S: Sorry for hi-jacking the thread

[bigrod118]

well first, the sensors for the traction control are located on the hub, which since your not a gear head, is basically around the area where your wheel is on. (your rim bolts onto your steering knuckle and that knuckle is on the hub. just take off you tire and peek your head around and there will be a wire/s you can follow, from the frame on the car, to the sensor itself. you might just ahve to replace the sensor itself. just by the part and DIY. but ilke guenther said, check the brake fluid, its a cheaper way out for now if it works. you always start with the cheapest fix and work your way up, unless you know exactly whats wrong.

as for the ABS, no there is no way to disable them, without either throwing a code (and possible causing more problems) so either pulling the fuse or cuting wires, is just going to create more problems than you will want, so just deal with the ABS, wheather you like it or not, it is proven to work better than you pumping the brakes yourself.

[bigrod118]

here that plug on the back, thats what your looking for, but im not sure how to replace it, it looks like its attached to the hub, possibly pressed on.

[belair56]

Hello All:

I just purchased a used 2002 Impala LS 3.8 with 85K miles. This weekend I serviced the Serp. Belt and other basic maintenance. The dealer, prior to us buying, turned front rotors and replaced the pads. During a road test the brake pedal starts pulsing like the ABS / Traction Control was engaged going around a corner. I have changed out many of these ABS axle hubs on Buicks but am trying to locate a good service manual to troubleshoot. I ran the computer thru my handheld scanner but no fault codes were present or set. Is there any basic troubleshooting methods to isolate the LT front from Rt front and the same on the rear of the car. Also are there any sources available for a dealer repair manaual. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Happy New Year. Thanks

[guenther]

Originally Posted by belair56

Hello All:

I just purchased a used 2002 Impala LS 3.8 with 85K miles. This weekend I serviced the Serp. Belt and other basic maintenance. The dealer, prior to us buying, turned front rotors and replaced the pads. During a road test the brake pedal starts pulsing like the ABS / Traction Control was engaged going around a corner. I have changed out many of these ABS axle hubs on Buicks but am trying to locate a good service manual to troubleshoot. I ran the computer thru my handheld scanner but no fault codes were present or set. Is there any basic troubleshooting methods to isolate the LT front from Rt front and the same on the rear of the car. Also are there any sources available for a dealer repair manaual. Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. Happy New Year. Thanks

It was engaging on the test drive and you bought it without the dealer fixing it first?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!

[bigrod118]

well as far as a dealer service manual, you can look on ebay for them, you can sometimes find them cheap, or depending on what exactly you are looking on how to fix I can help you since I have one, ill hopefully be getting one on CD soon that covers all years so it'll be easier for me to get pictures and stuff instead of trying to take pictures of everything. but if your anything like me and actually want the book itself, ebay will be your best shot at one. otherwise you can buy them new from a company called helms.

Helms Inc.

[belair56]

Originally Posted by guenther

It was engaging on the test drive and you bought it without the dealer fixing it first?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!

no...it didn't act up on the test drive with the dealer....