1996 K1500 abs problem

[corsair-pilot]

Hi all.
Have 1996 K1500 with abs light on most of the time. Two times it felt like the abs tryed to activate on dry level ground.
Bigest issue is trying to pull codes. I just bought the Innova 3160 that is stated as usable on this truck. But it does not. It states this truck does not support abs code reading?
I e-mailed Innova but have not had their support team contact me yet.
Any ideas on getting codes out?
Thank and good day.

[Jeremy-WI]

You are going to need a high end scanner to pull abs codes, dealer tech 2 or possibly a snap on scan tool

[GARY BRUNGARD]

I have a 98 and found that the front wheel sensors get dirty and give false readings, so pulled the fuse and been driving it this way for years.Just to much to get fixed cause this would be the second time.

[jdmccright]

Anope, you need an ABS-specific scan tool to check and clear those ABS codes. Your Innova unit states it can diagnose 1996 and newer GM vehicles, so i dunno what is up. Have you called them? If they lied then have them take it back.

[toddman67]

I've seen this symtom on many trucks @ or around this year that generally had a problem with scale building up underneath the 2 front wheel sensors at the hub. Removing the allen head cap screw and cleaning the mating surface plus cleaning the tone ring inside the hub asm will take care of this issue. Be careful when removing the sensors though. A twisting motion during removal of the sensor helps out. Clean everything up good, 95% cure rate.

[Jeremy-WI]

corsair-pilot, does your cigarette lighter work? According to the innova(iequus) website it does specify that it will work on K1500/K2500/K3500 trucks from 1996 on

[corsair-pilot]

Hi all.
Thanks for the tips. I will look into the front sensors this weekend.
Equus finaly got back to me on this.
They state the manual was wrong as this only works on 2000 to 2003 K trucks. I just checked their web site and it still states it works on1996 up.
So DONT spend your money on this product for the abs function.
I did e-mail them to see if its possible for them to write code to use on the older ones.
Thanks again
Dale

[coostv]

Been here before. I actually got a heck of a deal on a Z71 because of it. I had to replace both front hubs because the sensors were stuck in the hub and would not come out (ended up breaking one of them off). If the sensors do not come out and you want to keep your ABS functional, you will need to replace the hubs.

Chris

[herkyhawki]

Originally Posted by toddman67

I've seen this symtom on many trucks @ or around this year that generally had a problem with scale building up underneath the 2 front wheel sensors at the hub. Removing the allen head cap screw and cleaning the mating surface plus cleaning the tone ring inside the hub asm will take care of this issue. Be careful when removing the sensors though. A twisting motion during removal of the sensor helps out. Clean everything up good, 95% cure rate.

When I read this, I was hoping this was an easy fix, but on my 1998 K1500, It looks like I have to completely remove the hub just to get at the sensor, If I go that far I might as well replace the hubs since I have all the same labor in it anyway?

[toddman67]

All you need to pull a part is the caliper and the rotor to get to the sensors. Changing the hubs prematurely can be costly. Last time I checked the hubs were around $125.00 each. Cleaning the sensor mating surfaces is an inexpensive repair @ no cost other than labor. If you're willing to throw money at it, you might as well have it scanned for the correct diagnosis.

[herkyhawki]

Originally Posted by toddman67

All you need to pull a part is the caliper and the rotor to get to the sensors. ....

That's what I hoped, but I had the caliper & rotor off and the sensor is still not accesible on mine. I can see the sensor behind a sheild that is installed under the hub bolts. I sprayed the hub bolts with PB blaster and went to bed.

[corsair-pilot]

Hi All.

It has cooled down here in Phoenix so one can go out and work on your cars now.

Went out with the trusty Fluke and tested the front sensors and found the left front open.

Pulled and looked for corrosion, was like I would expect to see here in Az. No corrosion, it still had the lube from the factory on it.

Replaced with oem part, OUCH. List $200.00. My price $159.00.
It was in stock so I got it. GM parts direct has it for less than $115.00 + shipping.

Installed the gold plated sensor and it's all better.

Thanks for all the help.
Dale

[corsair-pilot]

It's back.......
New sensor died after only 45 days. It went open just like the original one.
Has this been an ongoing issue with GM sensors?
Thanks.
Dale