ABS problem

HULKOW1987

MEMBER
2001 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
6 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
91,700 MILES

When first starting my car Ill drive a few feet and hear something under the hood turn on. From time to time when turning and driving slow ill brake and it feels like the abs is kicking on. The sound from under the hood happens also when this does. The pedal feels like im sliding in snow. Ive tested the brakes and checked the fluid its all good but cant find what the sound is and why my brakes are doing this

5 Replies

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

GM has been having a huge problem with front wheel bearings. They are not defective or noisy but they develop enough play to allow the signal to drop out from the built in speed sensor. That makes the computer think that wheel is locked up. These bearings can cause this problem in as little as 15,000 miles. The junk bins at GM dealerships are full of these them. The good news is that is the same bearing used on cars without ABS, and without the built-in sensor, it costs twice as much. Go figure.

Caradiodoc

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM

HULKOW1987

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Oh alright. I hear the sound on the left side as soon as I pull out of my driveway but it goes away in like two seconds. I guess I should have my mechanic take a look at it. Thanks a lot

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Sorry that I forgot that part. It sounds like what you're hearing is the computer running a self-test on the system. When the wheel speed sensors cause continued problems, the computer will detect that as a wheel not turning when you are NOT pressing the brake pedal. That will turn on the yellow warning light and disable the system.

That self-test should only run once during each drive cycle, not each time to leave a stop sign.

Caradiodoc

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM

HULKOW1987

MEMBER
3 POSTS

So if I keep driving it with a busted wheel bearing with it be undrivable soon if the abs keeps thinking the wheel isnt turning and the abs keeps kicking on. By the way thanks again for the info

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Tuesday, March 16th, 2021 AT 5:20 PM

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
33,871 POSTS

Won't hurt anything, but if that's what's happening, the yellow warning light will turn and the system will be turned off leaving you with standard brakes.

Caradiodoc