Several errors flashing - Help!

[grandprix2005]

I have the following errors coming on all at the same time. None by themselves, always at the same time.

- service traction control system
- service variable effort steering system
- service ABS system

History is this. 2005 Grand Prix GT with variable effort steering, ABS, power everything, traction control, etc. Milage is about 26,000 or so. The waranty JUST expired 2 days before these errors showed up. The dealer replaced the intermediate steering shaft about 2 or 3 weeks before these errors showed up (related????).

The errors will appear after start-up. During driving also. Sometimes it goes away after restarting, sometimes not. It usually seems pretty consistent when it start doing this. I jacked up the car and disconnected/reconnected all the wheel speed sensors. I looked under the dash near the steering column looking for any loose connectors - came up with nothing. But after doing those 2 things, the errors went away for about 1 1/2 weeks. Now it's back.

When these errors are showing, you notice the brake pedal pulsate lightly (very lightly and only about 5 or 6 pulses) when you hit the brake firmly in a parking lot. Also the steering is not normal - it's harder to steer when this happens.

I did some reading on here and other places and understand the wheel speed sensors and steering assist is related because of how they interact with each other to determine the right amount of assist you need on the steering and so on. Since ALL of these are on at the same time and never one or two of them individually, it leads me to believe the problem may be at one of the wheels or in one of the control modules or something like that. Sound reasonable?

Could the dealer have caused this problem when replaced the intermediate steering shaft???

Thanks for your help. I'm afraid this may be an expensive fix!

[BNaylor]

Welcome to AF.

The electronic brake and traction control module (EBTCM) controls ABS, traction control and the variable effort steering. On many GM cars there is a steering wheel position sensor that feeds data to the EBTCM and it may be located right above the intermediate steering shaft. You'd have to double check the 2005 model factory service manual (FSM) to be sure.

Needs to be scanned with an ABS capable scan tool to see if any chassis/ABS DTCs are stored.

[grandprix2005]

Thanks for the reply. We just dropped off the car today to our local shop guy (not the dealer). He said he has the tools to troubleshoot it, but I may bring this up with him just in case. Wish I had known about the steering wheel position sensor before I took it over there. I would have given that a better look first.

[grandprix2005]

UPDATE:

My mechanic said the right rear sensor in the wheel bearing was bad. Cost was $315 for the part and $90 labor. I know he's cheap on labor as usual, but is that really what that wheel bearing cost???

[00GTP4ME]

The ones I've seen have always been in the mid $200's. They are definitely pricey.

[BNaylor]

Originally Posted by grandprix2005

UPDATE:

My mechanic said the right rear sensor in the wheel bearing was bad. Cost was $315 for the part and $90 labor. I know he's cheap on labor as usual, but is that really what that wheel bearing cost???

The labor is reasonable but the cost of the hub is excessive. I get AC Delco hubs front or rear for around $150-$160.

What brand is it?

[grandprix2005]

I don't know what brand it was, but for that price I hope it was at least from the dealer.

Is it possible to buy a reasonably priced scanner that is capable of reading all the codes I'd need to see to troubleshoot this on my own in the future? Something $300 or less? Something that can be updated via a USB cable to my pc for future updates and new cars I might buy? Possibly just software I can load on my laptop and then buy a special adapter cable to connect between my laptop and the car so the laptop becomes the diagnostic tool instead of having a handheld scanner?

UPDATE: I did some checking online and I see lots of sites selling adapters and also software to turn your laptop into a scan tool. Any links to a reputable site that has all I'd need to turn my laptop into a scanner that does read ABS info and all the rest? It looks like from what I see online, the stuff to turn your laptop into a scanner is less expensive than the dedicated handheld models.

[BNaylor]

Possible GM/AC Delco hub since GM list is around $350.

Actron makes a low end hand held ABS scanner but I don't know how well it works and whether it provides accurate translation for GM/Bosch ABS systems and the possible DTC(s) that can be generated. It does check wheel sensor comparative output. The best scan tool to test and troubleshoot is a GM Tech 2 which is what the GM dealers have. However, it is too expensive for the average person. I am not aware of any software based programs that can do ABS.

[grandprix2005]

Yeah I wouldn't want to spend more than say $300 on anything. Beyond that it may not be worth it since I don't have to worry about finding trouble like this except for rare occasions.

[grandprix2005]

Check this out. http://www.palmerperformance.com/pro...anxl/index.php

What do you think about that one? It says it does include ABS and more.

More. I just looked at the details. It appears to work for Ford products right now but they're still working on full compatibility with GM and others.

[Jatala]

I am looking for a cheap ABS scanner too. I need to figure out if I have some bad wheel speed sensors, or a different ABS issue.

[grandprix2005]

From what I've seen so far, you won't find a "cheap" one. It looks like you'd have to pay at least $250 or more.

[BNaylor]

I posted this on Saturday but our system took a dump and we lost posts since Admin had to restore a backup copy.

You can check the wheel sensors with a multimeter. Sensor can be ohmed out and output can be checked going back to the EBTCM module. A DMM is relatively inexpensive but comes in handy.