Traction Off And Abs Lights Come On Together

I have heard several theories on what this could be but i want other opinions from alero drivers. I have a 99 3.4 and for about a year every so often when i am backing out of a spot or turning left the trac off and abs lights come on and stay on, when this happens it seems like my power steering is looser. If i turn it off and restart they turn off and the steering is restored to normal. Anyone know????

[cutelilcntrygrl]

this has been happening for a year?? you need to be taking it to the shop. it's probably the hub going out in it. use the search button and just type in trac off or abs light and see what you find. i've had this happen several times actually so yeah, get it to the shop. welcome by the way.

May be a loose/contaminated connection for the ABS sensor. Or the harness itself may be damaged (I've had that problem).

i got the same thing + the check engine light... they said it was the wheel sensors.. at $500 a pop i dont think so!

abs sensor..been there, done that...doing it right now

[cutelilcntrygrl]

Originally posted by Nov@@Sep 27 2004, 03:10 AM
i got the same thing + the check engine light... they said it was the wheel sensors.. at $500 a pop i dont think so!

it's only gonna get more expensive if you let it go all the way out.

but, if you do a search on here, you'll find that some people just bought the sensor themselves and replaced it. and they say it's easy but i haven't done it myself. that would be a disaster. :P

thanks for the help everyone - the check engine light is also on. Had the codes scanned and autozone said it was a multiple misfire. I dumped some fuel injector cleaner in about 50 miles or so ago, we'll see if it helps.

Thought I might try to change the plugs the 3 in front look to be no problem but the 3 in back look like a huge pain in the ass to get to and change! any tips or tricks?????

I dont suppose it would be to good to change the 3 in front and not the 3 in back ???????? (just to see if the problem goes away)

[jackal2000]

a female changing her own plugs?

i dont see how changing the plugs would have anything to do with the abs and trac off lights though i think autozone got a bad code for you.

Yep I can change my own plugs and oil too!!!!

Dad and brother both drag race so I've grown up around cars.

Changing plugs wouldnt affect abs and trac, I made that comment in reference to autozone's code and the check engine light being on. (Code read misfire)

[bdyman]

i used to drag race top alchol dragster and drag boat what do your dad and brother race???

Originally posted by bdyman@Sep 28 2004, 07:35 PM
i used to drag race top alchol dragster and drag boat what do your dad and brother race???

70's Nova's
1/4 mile

Dad has a low 10second nova
brother has a low 12 second nova

Any help on my problem with the alero?

[smokinAMD]

What everyone else said was pretty much dead on. My guess is a wheel hub for the track and abs lights. Take it to a dealer or someone that has an ABS code reader, and they could pinpoint which hub it is for you.

You said it was the Check Engine not the Service Vehicule Soon light right. if so this might help. I had the check engine light come on last year when I got the codes read at my GM Dealer and one of them was engine missfire. They checked the usual (plugs, Wires..etc.)
After the technitian checked their common problems database he determined that the problem was one of the wires going to the injectors was pinched and was causing the injector to be either always open or always closed. the wire was located on the main wire harnes under the power steering pump. Apperently it kind of a defect because the wires are not long enough and get pinched between the power steering pump mount and the motor. he replaced and extended a piece of the wire harness and problem solved.

Hope this helps :thumbsup:

OK.. here's the answer you need. Sheesh, everyone is goin in circles and not really reading the posts.

ABS and Trac off: bad hub, or as mfuller suggested, possibly a bad or just loose connection. Look behind both front rotors. There is a harness with a plug there. That is the plug for the wheel sensor contained within the hub. Make sure both are tight. If that doesn't work, take it somewhere and have them tell you which hub is bad. Then go to a parts store and buy one for just over $100 and have your dad or brother (or you) change it. It's not hard, and there is a how-to in the how-to section. Your SVS light may eventually come on because of this also. And no, it will NOT get more expensive the longer you wait. If it's bad, its' bad. And it will need changed. Period.

As far as the SES code for misfires: It happened to me just AFTER I changed my plugs to Bosch +2's. Bad plugs, so I took 'em back and got AC Delco's. No problems since. If the injector cleaner does not work, change plugs (stick with the delco's). The back 3 aren't that bad. You just need to use a spark plug SOCKET with a ratchet, instead of a standard plug wrench. And change your wires too. If that doesn't work, take it somewhere.

[VCguy85]

This happened to me last winter.... only once, i was going real fast in a snowy parking lot and pulled the emergency brake and did a sweet power slide.... the lights came on and i got scared, but when i restarted teh car, they were fine again

[FormulaNERD]

Originally posted by 3.4Alero@Oct 5 2004, 11:42 PM
The back 3 aren't that bad. You just need to use a spark plug SOCKET with a ratchet, instead of a standard plug wrench. And change your wires too. If that doesn't work, take it somewhere.

just wanted to add a little... it's easier if you use a universal joint attachment, and wrap some tape around it, so it still flexes, but doesnt flop around all over the place when you try to find the plug.

This happened to my car. It was my wheel bearings that went bad. Since one wheel was always going faster than the other the traction sensor was not reading right. Its an expensive job though.

[-Alero-]

is the wheel hub that plastic type thing behind your rotor?, i noticed a plastic plate behind my rear rotors