Small braking concern plus others

[mcrr08]

Hey guys I've lurked here for some time with the occasional post. The info here has proven to be extremely valuable since I've done a few repairs myself rather than bring it to a shop. I've had my 98 since it had about 80k mileage. I've been dealing with a growing concern. Ever since I've had the car I've noticed from time to time my brakes will grab, seems like the pedal gets pulled in. This happens fairly infrequent although I think I've noticed a rhythm to it. I'll get home from work, drive up my hill to my apt, and park the car on a level or slight inclined spot. The next day I'll come out and go back down and usually I'll have the brakes grab, but only for a second. I'll usually just let go of the pedal and everything is back to normal. It has never done it on an actual street. The reason this concern is growing is that lately its happened a little more often and seems to be followed by my traction active light coming on. Maybe related to shifting, but I'm not an expert here. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have some other concerns and to keep clutter down I'll list them here too. Hopefully I can get an answer to these as well.

AC/Heater fans will vary in output at random intervals with fan speed set opposed to auto fan (what does auto fan do anyway?)

Temperature setting (AC temp) will flash

maybe more, but all I can think of currently.

Perhaps only on sharper right turns even at low speed I will get a sound of something rubbing or vibrating and can feel it in the steering wheel.

Mechanic is reporting a ripple voltage of +/- 0.2 volts. Doesn't seem like a lot, but they sounded concerned. I've had this ripple on both old and new alt.

Other possible useful info

I have within the last year replaced:

Battery
Alternator
Brake pads
Rotors

Thank you again in advance!

[bobsblue95]

No help wrt brakes, but the varying fan speed is probably due to the connector slowly burning up/oxidizing on the speed controller.
Just pull the passenger side kick panel and it's right there... unplug and inspect.
Sounds like you might have a failing CV joint causing the steering issue, but that's a pure guess at this point.

HTH

[mcrr08]

Definitely helps me get started on some projects so thank you. Any idea where I might find instructions on getting to that panel? I imagine I would try to clean it up and if it doesn't get better then replace that piece? CV joint sounds possible, I've had others think the same so it at least gives me a place to start looking. Thank you for your help. Hopefully I'll solve all the issues, but sometimes it just feels like ghost hunting.

[mcrr08]

Bobsblue95, you were talking about this aurorah.proboards.com/thread/16112 correct? Took the car to the shop couldn't find anything wrong with it other than needing replacement rear shocks. Shop said CV looked just fine, but did mention they found something that covered this www.repairprocedures.com/service-bulletin/document/1999/oldsmobile/aurora/technical/990232008a/1681_126_2_77_0_789906.html since they couldn't replicate they didn't do a repair. What is that part? where would it be? It's become pretty apparent that I'm going to need a proper service manual.

[bobsblue95]

The kick panel is just the black plastic cover under the dash, to keep your feet out of the wiring.
It takes a 7 or 8 mm nut driver, piece of cake. Once that's removed you should see the PCM and the blower motor, which plugs into the speed controller module.

[RCA1186]

What you are feeling with the brakes MIGHT be the ABS cycling. The ABS performs a test every time you drive. It cycles the system for a very brief moment (think maybe 1/2 second or so). It will do this upon starting out driving as soon as the car hits 10-15 mph (from what I remember). Sometimes you happen to hit the brakes at that exact moment, it will give a very weird feeling in the brake pedal but will go away once you release them. It could be that you're always hitting the brakes at the same spot coming from your apartment.

That is all just a theory of course. I couldn't explain the traction active light coming on too though.

[mcrr08]

Rca you might actually have that right lol. I do know there is a possibility that the new bearings may have a bad speed sensor and could be tripping abs. Bob I pulled the module, but to be honest I'm not sure what a bad one looks like. I'm great with electronics, but I didn't want to pull the heat sink of

[mcrr08]

Update, I found the hub assembly wire has been rubbing against the axle. Replaced the assembly and zip tied the cables out of the way so here's hoping it doesn't come back. AC control unit also has been replaced and so far I'm getting consistent airflow. I just hope that it is smooth sailing from here.