abs and service traction

[norseman228]

at random times the service traction and abs
light comes on on my 2003 olds the service traction turns and the traction off light comes on along with the abs light and stays on until i turn the car off. when the car is restarted the lights do not come back on and all is normal.

[sbagdon]

Any OBD-II stored codes, or any ABS ECU stored codes (if separate)?

[merc81]

Couldn't say for sure, but one of the things that cause those symptoms are failing wheel positions sensors. A good scan tool can test each wheel sensor separately for you and show a past history for the sensors if this is a common occurrence (once each trip).

Most scanners won't tell you that though and you need to look at the wiring connectors on each wheel sensor. In the front fenders, the wire is stretched pretty tight and could fail at one of the many connectors in the path. Look those over carefully for problems.

The sensors do fail, and at least in the front, the fix is to replace the bearing assembly (maybe $150 each).

[markqc]

I had a similar problem with the lights staying on and found one wheel sensor unplugged.
To start, you can try unplugging and plugging in all 4 to make sure you have good contacts all around.
Hopefully it is something simple like my problem was.

Good Luck,
Mark

[beezsmooth]

Its crazy how many of these exact issues are posted, but people keep asking! In all posts you will see several things in common. Here are a few basic things you can do to help diagnose your issue.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM #1:
-YOU NEED TO KNOW ANY/All ABS related codes logged in your ECM, Most parts re-sellers will assist pulling codes as an effort to sell you unesecary, non-returnable electrical parts. Dont buy there "recomendation" if there is any logged codes. If any codes are present let me know what they are or look them up and follow troubleshooting procedures. You may actually have a faulty component that needs replaced.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM #2:
- Since you mentioned this is an intermitent issue, it wont be something as easy as a disconnected wire/ connector. However very common for the wiring harness that runs in a loom along the control arm (frnt L&R) to form high resistance which randomly will trigger a tcs/ abs light. The systems (abs/tc) will not operate at this point, but you will see no other symptoms. Lights will recycle during next key cycle. Best way without proper tooling to test this:
1. Block rear wheels, Jack up, and support, front L&R wheels, remove wheels.
2. Have another person sit it the vehicle, Start the vehicle, apply and hold the brake, put the vehicle in D.
3. While they continue to hold the brake you will need to start at the wheel hub and pinch off aprox 1"-4" of the wiring loom and pivot it in a back forth motion 2-3 times.
4. Repeat this several times covering the entire length of each harness back into the engine compartment. Put special focus on the naturally pivoting areas as this is normally where you will find the problem. Instruct the person in the vehicle to alert you immidiatly if/ when the lights illuminate!
5. Stop there and theres your problem, remove the loom and examine the wire condition, dont be fooled, without a meter you may not VISUALY see the problem through the insulation of the wire. To Verify repeat steps 2,3,&4 on the suspected area, AFTER you recycle the key! Proper repair would be repalcement of harness between hub and engine compartment (junk yard possible) or solderd and heat shrink. DO NOT USE P.O.S. BUTT CONNECTORS, throw that shit away, if your not sure how to solderd properly let me know.
POSSIBLE PROBLEM #3
-This is a cheap, common issue that is typically overlooked and other components are wrongfully replaced! The rear brake/turn light assems are notorious for corrosion, leaks, water retention, melting, and shorting. USUALLY you will observe issues in your turn signal or brakeing light circuit, such as: Cruise Control not functioning, Fast flashing in one direction and rear turn light not working but bulbs are good, Partially illuminated turn signal indicators (on dash), Applying the brake while the turn signal is on may change symptoms, odvious moisture or actual water build in rear light assem
1. Remove rear L&R light assem and examine the harness's and actual mounting bores for each of the light bulbs
2. Examine the rear light "board" assem's, looking for odvious corrosion, without a meter and basic knowledge you wont be able to properly check, if any of the symptoms listed above exsists and corrosion is present, replace the board assem's/ assem

There are several other things that could cause the symptoms your describing but these are by far the most common, easy to check, easy to repair possibilities.

[keyser223]

GM bulletin #01-08-45-005E.

There is a metal plate under the carpet behind the drivers seat. It has a rivet on each side. If you look under the vehicle you can see two connectors that plug into the floor at where this plate is. It is the C-305 connector and has had issues corroding and causes these lights. Unplug and inspect the female connector for corrosion and or spreading, you can replace the connector and it's fairly cheap, or you can pry up the metal plate from the inside, cut the connectors and solder the wires together and wrap in mastic tape to protect it from the elements and eliminate the corrosion. Then replace the metal plate and install a couple small bolts/nuts in place of the rivets.

[woscarr]

Originally Posted by markqc

I had a similar problem with the lights staying on and found one wheel sensor unplugged.
To start, you can try unplugging and plugging in all 4 to make sure you have good contacts all around.
Hopefully it is something simple like my problem was.

Good Luck,
Mark

You wont be able to unplug all four if your van has drum brakes on the back, plug is inside the axle.

I had a noisy bearing on the back of my newly acquired 02 Silhouette so I changed all four wheel hub/bearings and I checked the lights on the dash after each wheel. Turned out the noisy one on the back and one on the front were tripping the lights, after I did the third wheel the lights went off and stayed off.

So I'd suspect a wheel sensor (in the wheel hub/bearing assembly) on the way out or one of the front harness's causing problems, especially if it happens mostly in wet conditions.

Good Luck !

Cheers
Wayne.