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Pontiac Grand Prix Traction Control/STS/ABS

204 messages,  Last post on Jan 18, 2013 at 12:56 PM

You are in the Pontiac Grand Prix Forum.

What is this discussion about? Pontiac Grand Prix, Car Safety, Sedan

Messages Page 20 of 21

#188 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS lights on [eddie71] by algp2005

Jul 16, 2012 (10:13 am)

Replying to: eddie71 (Jul 15, 2012 8:41 pm)
Thanks again Eddie. If it wasn't for the help I received on this board I would have had to take it to the dealer and probably had to replace 2 front wheel bearings and the Electronic Brake Module. This would have set me back between $800. and $1200. like many other people. I just don't understand why GM don't own up to this as it seems to be a very common problem with these model years. And I've even read somewhere that they redesigned the cable in 2007 or 2008. So, why would they redesign if there wasn't a problem? And I would think it's a huge safety issue as the brakes pulsate when the warning lights come on that could scare allot of nervous drivers.
After speaking with GM customer service Canada and even stopping by the dealer explaining to them what I found on the net, they blow you off and tell you they can't go by what is said on the net and need to put it on the scope to check for codes. Even though I'm 100% sure I'm not the only one that has complained or had this problem they insist on doing things by the book and that would have meant replacing parts until they found the problem. I must say that this really rubs me the wrong way.
I've been a loyal GM customer for the past 30 some odd years purchasing 13 new cars from them for me and my wife. This last one has been the longest I've kept a car as I retired 5 years ago and use to replace cars every 2 years. I'll be looking for a new car in the next little while and I don't think I will even go to a GM showroom. It will be my turn to blow them off. I might just follow that commercial you hear all the time. Have You Driven A Ford Lately?

#189 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS lights on [algp2005] by eddie71

Jul 16, 2012 (5:24 am)

Replying to: algp2005 (Jul 16, 2012 10:13 am)
I don't blame you. I've had terrible experiences with them trying to get them to stand behind their product.

#190 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS lights on [eddie71] by fisherman1984

Jul 16, 2012 (6:34 am)

Replying to: eddie71 (Jul 16, 2012 5:24 am)
So I took my 04 GP through the carwash this morning on my way to work... About a mile down the road, my abs and traction control light came on. I'm guessing I've got a bad wire. Did a quick google search on the issue and found this thread... hoping your info helps!

#191 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS lights on [algp2005] by ecugirl81

Jul 16, 2012 (7:21 am)

Replying to: algp2005 (Jul 10, 2012 3:17 am)
Hi - I've had the issue with ABS/Traction control light for almost 2 years now. I ran the gammet of fixing almost everything with my AWESOME mechanic who pretty much did most of the work for free because when he can't fix something first time it becomes his obsession (wish you all had a mechanic like mine.) I never took it to the dealer dealer because we all know they SUCK!). final diagnosis was bad ABS computer control module (not the bearings, the ABS sensor in the wheel, wiring harness or anything like that) - it's a $1200 part, so my mechanic unplugged the ABS fuse that plugs into the computer - you can run without ABS - you still have regular brakes and (in TX) you don't have to have ABS brakes to pass inspection. Just know that when you disconnect the ABS brake fuse into the computer, every time you turn the car on you will get all the beeps, bells and whistles on the digital display telling you to check the system. Your ABS, traction control and brake light will remain lit up on the dash which is really just an annoyance, not a safety issue. WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER GM PROJECT AGAIN BECAUSE OF GM'S ATTITUDE.! Going back to Honda, once this car (which is paid for and has been great except for this one issue) finally bites the dirt (its an '04 GP). Good luck to all!

#192 of 204 Re: Trac Light on Pontiac Grand Prix 2002 [cmichalak] by kloft

Aug 01, 2012 (3:38 am)

Replying to: cmichalak (Jun 24, 2008 8:43 am)
Did you find out what it was because me grand prix is doing the same thing

#193 of 204 Re: Trac Light on Pontiac Grand Prix 2002 [kloft] by chocokiss97

Aug 30, 2012 (2:13 pm)

Replying to: kloft (Aug 01, 2012 3:38 am)
I'm having the same issue with my traction control and ABS lights going off. After taking it to my mechanic several times (and after he finally stopped looking at me like I was crazy) he finally found out it was a bad ABS module. To go through the dealership for the part is crazy...does anyone know of any reputable online dealers?

#194 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS by terryq1

Aug 30, 2012 (8:37 pm)

Replying to: ramdually (Jan 09, 2012 1:16 am)
I had the same problem on my daughter’s 2004 GTP. I read that the wheel sensors should have a resistance of 960 to 1040 ohms. I measured all four wheels and they were all about 1,100 to 1,120 ohms. I tried cleaning connectors, and even put four 1000 +/- 23 ohm resistors at the end of all four harnesses. I also cleaned the plug for the harness at the ABS ECM, and also the ABS power relay. None of this turned off the ABS warning message.
 
I checked the voltage at the end of each harness connector to the wheel speed sensors with the ignition turned on. Three of them were at 4.8 volts, and the RF was varied between 2.1 and 3.6 volts. As I shook the harness next to the RF brake, that voltage at the connector would jump up and down. With the connector still disconnected from the wheel sensor, I probed the length harness with pins and a voltmeter. At the ABS ECM, the RF circuit was 4.8 volts like the other three wheel circuits. As I moved along the harness, it stayed at 4.8 volts until I got to within about a foot of the wheel sensor. Then it dropped off to the lower level I measured at the wheel connector.
 
I eventually pulled the wires out of the harness guard, and cut open some of the shrink wrap around the wires. Even though the car had not been driven for 5 days, the wires were wet, and the inside of the shrink wrap was full of sand and salt. I think what had happened was that the dirt there eventually degraded the insulation on the wires and was allowing some current leakage that resulted in the voltage drop.
 
I intended to rewire this part of the harness and replace the end connector. I couldn’t get a new connector at the auto parts stores, but three different stores and a Chevy dealer sold a relatively short section of the harness with a new connector. My conclusion is that this mode of failure must be common, or all of the auto parts stores and GM dealers would not be selling a replacement harness section.
 
After wiring in the new section on the end of the RF wheel harness, the ABS warning light is no longer coming on.

#195 of 204 Re: Traction Control/ABS [terryq1] by terryq1

Aug 31, 2012 (6:23 pm)

Replying to: terryq1 (Aug 30, 2012 8:37 pm)
On further examination of the failed harness, I found a break in one of the wires inside of the insulation a few inches from the connector. This is an area where the wire would be twisted every time the steering wheel would be turned. The only reason I can understand for the wire to have any voltage at all is because the two broken ends must have been touching. The copper wire was also black and corroded.

#196 of 204 brake/track system problem by hrtuck

Oct 23, 2012 (5:24 pm)

hey guys, im going through the exact same thing with my 2004 pontiac grand prix. and i did my research and found a recall that described these issues. I contacted pontiac about this and they advised me to take the car to get a diagnois to make sure its a problem that relates to the recall and they will reimburse me the money it costed to get the dx and pay full cost for the problem. below im going to copy and paste all of the recall info. Hope this helps for all of us
 
Recall ID # 51199 - SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
 
Hide Details
 
  
 
Recall Date:
  
JUN 23, 2004
  
Model Affected:
  
2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  
Summary:
  
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WERE PRODUCED WITH LOWER THAN SPECIFIED TORQUE ON BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER TO STEERING KNUCKLE ATTACHMENT BOLTS. WITH IMPROPER TORQUE, THE CLAMP LOAD AT THE JOINT MAY NOT BE ADEQUATE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE CALIPER BRACKET AND KNUCKLE.
 
Consequences:
  
DEPENDING ON WHETHER ONE OR BOTH BOLTS BACKS OUT OR FRACTURES, THE RESULT CAN BE LOCKING OF THE AFFECTED WHEEL DURING BRAKING AND AN ABRUPT STEERING INPUT IN THE DIRECTION OF THE LOCKED WHEEL, REDUCED BRAKING AND NOISE FROM THE AFFECTED WHEEL, OR SEVERING OF A BRAKE HOSE, INCREASED BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL, AND REDUCED STEERING CONTROL. REDUCED BRAKING OR STEERING CONTROL COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
 
Remedy:
  
DEALERS ARE TO TIGHTEN BOTH BOLTS TO THE SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET 1-800-630-2438 OR PONTIAC 1-800-620-7668.
 
Potential Units Affected:
  
47991
  
Notes:
  
GENERAL MOTORS CORP.
 
Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2004/pontiac/grand_prix/recalls/#ixzz2AAflaNRm

#197 of 204 Re: Service Traction/Stability/ABS System [gmcustsvc] by attilabokor

Jan 02, 2013 (6:47 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (May 12, 2010 2:02 pm)
Hi I Have an 04 Grand Prix GT last 8 numbers of the VIN : 41367899. After a very cold night(i was at the mall and I parked the car outside) the Service the ABS and the Service the Traction messages appeared. After I shot down the car and restarted the messages disappeared. I had to do this multiple times during the last 2 winters. This only happening when it's cold(I'm in MI) and I do a sharp turn. Just this morning (it's cold again) the messages will not go away even if I restarted the car multiple times Please give me an idea what I can do, thanks

Messages Page 20 of 21

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