Over the last few months, the traction control has engaged at low speed in dry weather. The problem went from occurring sporadically, to frequently, to all the time. The traction control and ABS lights would be illuminated, saying that traction control was not functioning.
The fix was pretty simple. The issue is a faulty wire(s) between the computer and the wheel speed sensor. The wire is repeatedly flexed when turning the steering wheel, and eventually it breaks. When this happens, the computer thinks that the wheel has all of a sudden stopped spinning, as if it's slipping, and engages traction control. Then it shuts off as a precaution since it doesn't seem to be helping -- sensor still reading 0 mph.
To fix, buy the wiring harnesses below and take to a mechanic to have them replaced. Took my mechanic 1.5 hours, which came out to $140 -- going hourly rate for most mechanics is around $100/hr. Here are the harnesses to order:
I'd recommend getting both the left and right harnesses replaced at the same time -- likely one one is bad, but you won't know which one it is and the other one will likely break shortly.
I have taken the car into J & S Transmission for a transmission rebuild, all new brakes, new wheel bearings,new tie rods, etc. and the traction active still continues to come on with dry pavement. The vibration disallows use of my brakes. I have spent thousands of dollars on the Traction Active.
Someone needs to file a motion against GM for a recall to have this problem fixed.
My complaint is just like the other previous post.
traction control will activate and make an awful noise just when i tap on the gas and the ABS will activate for no reason when i tap the brakes. I a mechanic of 30+ years bought the car with the known issue of the front speed sensors needing replaced and after 5 months the problem is back with a vengeance i have heard of water being in the wires now i hear about a wire in the hub was split from corrosion??? I am a firm believer in finding the problem and fixing it, rather than slinging parts at it. If anyone out there can help... It would be greatly appreciated! I could take it to the dealiship and let them hook it up to the ABS code reader, but that can turn into a circus, and can drag out until the $$$ runs out. Been There, Done that,
the traction goes off and the abs light will come on i had fixed and spent over $1000 bt the problem still continues my mechanic told me it would not affect the way it handles and that to really get it fixed i would have to figure out how much money i wanted to spend
NEVER BUYING A CHEVY IMPALA. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, AC COMPRESSOR, FUEL PUMP, IGNITION WIRES, WINDOW SWITCH AND MANY OTHER THINGS. I HAVE SPEND OVER 4,000 DOLLARS.
- nancyg713,
Houston, TX, US
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Alright this is whats goin on... i bought my '01 impala last year at about 102000 miles or so.... so i knew it wasn't the greatest but for the price i'll do it. anyway recently my traction control will activate and make an awful noise just when i tap on the gas and the ABS will activate for no reason when i tap the brakes. i asked my dad (a mechanic of 30+ years) and he looked at it and found that a wire in the passenger side hub was split from corrosion so he fixed that for me... that lasted about two weeks... now the problem is even worse and it is louder and more noticeable... also after the first activation of the traction and ABS the car will continue to make a grinding noise under my feet on the driver side of the car. please... if you have any ideas on what to do or how to go about fixing this problem please let me know!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Over the last few months, the traction control has engaged at low speed in dry weather. The problem went from occurring sporadically, to frequently, to all the time. The traction control and ABS lights would be illuminated, saying that traction control was not functioning.
The fix was pretty simple. The issue is a faulty wire(s) between the computer and the wheel speed sensor. The wire is repeatedly flexed when turning the steering wheel, and eventually it breaks. When this happens, the computer thinks that the wheel has all of a sudden stopped spinning, as if it's slipping, and engages traction control. Then it shuts off as a precaution since it doesn't seem to be helping -- sensor still reading 0 mph.
To fix, buy the wiring harnesses below and take to a mechanic to have them replaced. Took my mechanic 1.5 hours, which came out to $140 -- going hourly rate for most mechanics is around $100/hr. Here are the harnesses to order:
http://www.partsgeek.com/catalog/2001/chevrolet/impala/brake/abs_wheel_speed_sensor_wire_harness.html
I'd recommend getting both the left and right harnesses replaced at the same time -- likely one one is bad, but you won't know which one it is and the other one will likely break shortly.
- thinkski, Valencia, CA, US