Ignition on / car in neutral - something activates when I spin front wheel.

[alkemist]

Hello !

(1996 riviera)

I was doing tire rotation yesterday. WHen I had the front of the car in the air and transmission in NEUTRAL, I noticed something actvivating to brake the wheel when I attempted to turn it manually. I wonder what it is that made the noise

[96riviera18]

i dont understand the problem, why would you need to turn the wheel when doing a rotation and balance? were the wheels locking from the trany or were the brakes keeping them from moving? what noise?

[alkemist]

This question comes out of curiosity.


Front wheels were in neutral no brakes applied... therefore they were freely spinning. BUT, if I try to spin the wheel too far, about 180 degrees at a fast rate, SOMETHING would activate a breaking device and the wheel would come to a hault. I dont know if its a braking device or something else, the fact is that SOMETHING is there to make a buzzing noise when I spin the wheel manually too fast which also brakes it. No matter which direction I spin it. Maybe its a manual/battery powered power steering mechanism for easy navigation if lets say the car was being pulled? Just wonderin and though maybe sum1 knows.

[alkemist]

I forgot to clarify one point.... when this occurs the vehicles ignition is on, but it is not started.

[96riviera18]

could be traction control or abs trying to stop wheel spin