Serious problem, need help!!

[sp1]

Hi everyone, I'm new.

I've had this problem with my Alero for about three weeks now. At startup, or a few minutes after startup, the "Trac off" and "ABS" lights come on and the functions quit working.

First a little background info...I have a 99 3.4L Alero GL. A few weeks ago I took it into my mechanic's shop to get a hub bearing replaced (on the right side). He did it, and as I pulled out of his garage and turned right, I could hear a sharp pulling noise...like a violent ticking noise as the car moved (while turning). I brought this to his attention and he said it was "nothing to worry about". A week later, the ABS and traction control problem started.

I wonder if they are related to his work on the hub. I spoke to a couple of people who told me that the sensor for the ABS is located near the hub, and that he may have touched it.

I need help...is this an ABS problem? Or a traction control problem? Has anyone else experienced the similar problems?

The car is currently with him right now and he is taking a look at it, but I fear that he will backpeddle and refuse to accept any blame, if indeed he is at fault.

I need info...any would be great.

Thanks.

[Cyber Knight]

Do a site search on 'TRAC OFF' to find the post on this site where that has already been discussed, you'll find more info there. I don't remember where it left off, but you're not alone with that problem, mine has done it but only with TRAC OFF and it fixed itself (for now)

[Molson]

sounds like a basd wheel hub/bearing assembly to me.

[Silentalero]

the speed censor is connected to the wheel hub, not the abs....im not positive where the abs censor is at

[Molson]

AFAIK the ABS and the VSS use the same senders on the hub.

[sp1]

Originally posted by Cyber Knight@Jan 21 2004, 01:29 PM
Do a site search on 'TRAC OFF' to find the post on this site where that has already been discussed, you'll find more info there. I don't remember where it left off, but you're not alone with that problem, mine has done it but only with TRAC OFF and it fixed itself (for now)
Actually I did search a little on this site...but I found that their problems were caused by various mods. I have no mods on my car, it is 100% stock.

Important note: Back when the mechanic was installing the bearing, he had the car on the hoist. What's interesting is that he put it in "drive" and began stepping on the gas. I noticed while he was doing this that the wheels were stalling, and it didn't click at the time that, but the traction control was still on. Wouldn't that damage the system, by overexerting it? I mentioned to him that he should have turned it off...even today I mentioned the traction control, to which he responded, "what does traction control do?"

Am I screwed, or am I screwed?

I'm still waiting for him to get back to me...

[sp1]

Here's some news...just spoke to a guy at a GM service shop and he said that the sensors for both the ABS and Traction control are in or around the hub. It's called the "Wheel Speed Sensor". In the meantime I'm still waiting for the guy to get back to me...I hope he calls soon.

[Cyber Knight]

Mechanic + 'What's traction control do?' = Get a new mechanic.

[3.4Alero]

Yes, get a new mechanic.

FYI, the hub is a sealed assembly that includes the wheel bearing, and the wheel speed sensor (traction control and ABS). So if he changed the wheel bearing, then he changed the whole unit. If you look behind your wheel, you will see a plug coming out of the hub. That connects the sensors to the car's computer. If that plug was not set back exactly how it came out, it could get damaged. Other than that, it's pretty tough to screw up a hub replacement. I replaced mine a couple of months ago, and the only hard part was getting the old one out.

As far as traction control goes, the wheels should not have been "stalling out." When the wheel speed sensor realizes that the wheels are traveling at different speeds, the computer automatically shifts up, in an effort to minimize torque and regain traction. So it was actually the transmission that was "stalling out" the wheels.

Finally, are you sure he replaced the correct hub? If you have a bad wheel bearing its easy to tell which one it is, but if you have a bad sensor, it must be scanned.