Sevice Stability System

[Sterling4.0]

Hello,

I have a problem with my 01. Anyone out there know what causes the service stability system to come up on the systems indicator? I'm almost afraid to know as it sounds expensive. Any advise would be greatly appreciated.

[macadamiaman]

Last winter, and into Spring, this came up almost daily for me, or sometimes everytime I drove the car. But throughout the summer and even until now it hasn't come up once. I believe it's a sensor in the wheel bearing, I think.

[Custom88]

the most common failure from what I have seen related to that message is the steering-wheel position sensor. (it is connected to the steering column under the dash.)

[Marc]

This could be a false warning. If you shut down the engine with "SERV STABILITY SYS" on the DIC, and then start up again, and the warning doesn't come up again, the system is OK. See page 2-91 in the 2001 owner's manual, in the paragraph "SERV STABILITY SYS - 26".

[PurpleSplat]

I had this same problem on a road trip for Christmas. It really seemed to get all annoyed when it was wet outside. Sometimes it would take a minute or two to come on.

I'm just going to bring it into the garage and get it fixed.... those orange lights on the dash annoy the hell out of me.

[tahoesport]

SCAN IT FOR CODES AND TAKE THE GUESSING GAME OUT OF IT...

[skrying26]

I had the same code come up on my 01.. I'm gathering the culprit is the wheel speed sensor, Cause my speedometer was bouncing all over the place whenever i hit a bump...

[Custom88]

skrying, with your car running, tap/hit the top of the dashboard lightly.. does the speedometer still bounce all over?

[skrying26]

Hmm it was weird... I was informed the wheel speed sensors have nothing to do with the speedo.. Its either the sensor in the transmission, or it could be a loose connection in the dash.. The erratic speedo hasnt happened in a few days... It used to be when i hit a lil bump in the road, the needle would jump.. But it hasnt done it for a while.

[Wacko]

I've had that message come up on two occasions. Both times it was after I had the front end jacked up and was monkeying around with the suspension and steering components. They came on once and never again. But I had no trouble with the speedo.

Not much help to you, I know. I would agree that the wheel sensors are probably not used as input to the speedo. They are used by the traction control and the ABS, along with the steering position sensor. Have you any other electrical gremlins?

[BNICOV]

I've had it come on a couple of times and when I shut down and fired it up again, the message was gone. Unless it stays on, don't worry about it. It says that in the owner's manual as well. Don't go looking for problems with the car. You can always find something if you want to.

[skrying26]

The message hasnt come up in my car for a while.. Nor has the speedo acted up... Oh well no use chasing a problem that's not there..

[kobalt]

Get the codes pulled as numerous issues can trigger this message. On my g-body sls the steering rack was the problem.

[mission008]

tahoesport said:

SCAN IT FOR CODES AND TAKE THE GUESSING GAME OUT OF IT...

true that!

[New442]

I'm getting this message everyday on the DIC for the last month or so. My understanding is if that the check engine light does not come on there is no code to retrieve, correct?

[Wacko]

I would say that is not necessarily true. I'm speculating that the SES is tied to emissions-related systems. If you have a failure with ABS or TRAC, etc. I don't think it would illuminate the SES. A code could be set that doesn't light the SES.

[Sterling4.0]

Thanks everyone for the information. It seems that my intermediate steering shaft needs to be replaced. This may have caused the service stability system to come on the DIC. I'll let you know if it goes away once I have this repaired. Anyone out there had this problem with their Aurora? Also, the autotech at Goodyear couldn't order the part, as there is some kind of restriction on them. Funny thing is that gmpartsdirect has them available for sale??

[kobalt]

The iss is poorly designed and a fairly common problem on g-body cars.

[New442]

Well today was a little different:
Got the usual "serv stability sys" After hitting reset the ABS light is on solid, & the traction control is disabled.
Do the ISS actually fail? & do they pose a safety issue?
I got a feeling this POS is about meets it's end.

[Wacko]

Are you sure it is not simply a wheel speed sensor or its connection? These sensors are used by the stability system, traction control and ABS.

I've actually had my ISS out and lubed it myself. The only failure possible is a mechanical one. There is a steering wheel position sensor but that is not effected by the ISS lubrication issues that many have experienced.

[New442]

I'll have to put it up on the lift, thanks for the feedback wacko. I have replaced one of the front wheel bearings about a year ago. They seemed fine when I checked during my last oil change.

[kobalt]

From my understanding the ISS will not physically fail as then there would be a safety recall of some sort. Lubing the ISS will temporairly alleviate related noises but ultimately a new shaft will be required. Check the speed sensor connections at the wheels as per Wacko's suggestion. In my case the sensors checked out ok, shaft needed replacement for the clunking (lubing stopped helping) and a new steering rack took care of the service stability system codes.

[MBowen574]

kobalt said:

From my understanding the ISS will not physically fail as then there would be a safety recall of some sort. Lubing the ISS will temporairly alleviate related noises but ultimately a new shaft will be required. Check the speed sensor connections at the wheels as per Wacko's suggestion. In my case the sensors checked out ok, shaft needed replacement for the clunking (lubing stopped helping) and a new steering rack took care of the service stability system codes.

That is only if you can find a dealer who will level with you about a lubrication kit. Three now have disavowed any knowledge of an interim fix, wanting to shove the ours into the shop immediately for a $1200+ fix (it's also been overpriced all three times). Buttholes..

[Wacko]

I was going to do a write-up. In the meantime here is what an ISS lube kit consists of:


I actually ordered the wrong kit. This one is for Impala's I believe. Supposedly the correct GM p/n is 26098237. The wine cork is not part of the kit. The kit was less than $10.

The labor is really not that bad, if it has been done before. I say that because the ISS spans the firewall and there is one bolt on the interior of the car that is covered within a large rubber tube. This tube prevents access to the bolt. When my shaft, er ISS was first lubed. Scratch that. I mean the first time the service was done, they sliced open this rubber boot to give better access. That is the hardest part. That and working under the dash.

The other bolt is accessed from under the car. There is a continuation of the rubber boot but this one can be slid vertically out of the way. It's kind of scary to think that if one of these bolts fail, and the shaft should separate from the steering rack, you would have no control of the direction of the car.

I hope this made some sense. I would say if you can do a waterpump on these cars, you can certainly do an ISS lube or replacement. It took me about 60-90 minutes.

EDIT: Now I remember why I've stalled writing a summary about this. There is one important step that can't be overlooked regarding the steering position sensor. On the 2nd Gen anyway, the service manual stresses that you keep the steering wheel fixed at straight ahead. There is a hole under the column in the viscinity of the tilt. I inserted a long Phillips screwdriver in there which locks the steering. If you remove the steering shaft without locking the wheel you could damage the steering sensor.

This last bit could be why there is some association between the ISS and the stability system warning light.

[New442]

Scan came back with right front ABS\speed sensor, which is part of the wheel bearing. Replaced this weekend & ABS & traction lights went off and do function. But I still get the serv stability sys when I get on the highway every day.

[tubbs01aurora]

the dealership where i got the aurora said that it comes on if you spin the wheels too much