Traction/ABS Problem

[lilylove]

I have a 95 Aurora.

For the last couple of weeks, the traction active light comes on, and at the same time I can hear a noise like a motor running. Also the brake pedal pushes upward. Then a few minutes later, the traction off and ABS lights come on. This has been an off and on thing.

I had someone do a scan and it brought up a code for the left wheel speed sensor. He tried to get some data with the scanner hooked up while driving the car but was unsuccessful.

The dealer of course wants more than $100 just to look at it.

The guy at the parts store said that if the sensor wire tested fine, that it had to be something farther up. I do not know what that means. The first time I talked to this guy, he said it was either the sensor wire or the sensor itself which is in the hub assembly.

I am at a complete loss here. I can't afford to take it to the dealer.

Can anyone help me please?

[premiumV]

What he meant was the sensor might be ok but the wiring to wherever it goes might be damaged. I'm pretty sure it's a Hall Effect type sensor which simply outputs a pulsing signal corrosponding to the gear like part that turns. I don't know how to test the sensor but mebby arorabrain or someone else can chime in and help you more.

[RapMastaC1]

Is it normal that if you make a sudden stop for the brake pedal to feel like it's "rubbing" on something? Like I slammed mine down and if vibrated, as if something was preventing it from locking up, is that the "anti lock" part of the equation?

[stelte]

WRT the wheel speed sensor, I'm guessing that it is a coil pickup magnetic sensor - basically a coil of wire around a piece of metal. I suspect that it only has two leads coming out of it and that there is a connector that can be uncoupled right by the sensor. If so, just check it with an ohmmeter and compare the resistance with one of the other sensors on another wheel. If it's the same, then there is nothing wrong with the sensor. If it is open, then it's bad.

For the most part, I think the speed sensors are pretty bullet proof, so I think that it's highly unlikely that the speed sensor is your problem.

[premiumV]

rapmastac1 said:

Is it normal that if you make a sudden stop for the brake pedal to feel like it's "rubbing" on something? Like I slammed mine down and if vibrated, as if something was preventing it from locking up, is that the "anti lock" part of the equation?

Yes.....it izz

[aurorabrain]

The sensor should be as close to 1000ohms as possible, or 1K ohms whatever you want to say. These hub assemblies are notorious for having the sensor short out internal, but usually only when you're going slow or hit a bump in the road. The wire going to the sensor could also be broken, or rubbed through on a part of the frame.

[Rocketv8]

happened to me....it was a short in the wire harness that goes to the sensor( due to rubbing on the frame.)

[RapMastaC1]

When does the ABS come on? I mean, I'll be doing 25 and I'll make a somewhat sudden still smooth stop and the ABS will slightly come on... that is usually when my car vibrates...

[premiumV]

rapmastac1 said:

When does the ABS come on? I mean, I'll be doing 25 and I'll make a somewhat sudden still smooth stop and the ABS will slightly come on... that is usually when my car vibrates...

If the system isn't malfunctioning it will come on the instant it detects that a wheel is locking up. Sum systems are so sensitive that it will give the impression that it is activating too soon but it's really not. There is one intersection that I go through a lot that has these tiny little ripples in the road that drive the ABS system bonkers cause for a split second the tire will leave the road while braking for the intersection. If I go through the same intersection with a non-ABS system vehicle everything seems smooth when stopping.

[RapMastaC1]

Are there any ways to turn it off? Like with traction control. I drive a manual everything car as my everyday ride, and I'm more used to doing all the work, that not doing it is bogging me down, lol. Like power steering is driving me nuts, I like a little help, but that whole steering assist thing which was great at first is just pissing me off, and the ABS breaks, I have praticed hours on a parking lot on controling my car in rain and snow and all kinds of stuff, and I don't need ABS,lol.