Pontiac Repair: Traction control indicator message/Headlamps, wheel hubs, pontiac grand prix

Question
QUESTION: I have a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix GT (supercharged v6). It's just barely over 26,000 miles on it. My concern is that lately when I pull out of parking spots or my drive way or even pulling into my driveway, I'll sometimes feel sort of a vibration sensation in the steering column area and then the traction control indicator comes on in the message center for a few seconds and then goes off. I have taken it to the dealership once for this problem because it was happening more and more. The dealership said nothing was wrong and everything was operating as it should be. A few days ago, it did it worse than ever when I pulled into my driveway. There was a noise in the engine this time. This is not normal. I am bringing it back to the dealership at no charge (the car is out of warranty by time). A couple of my male friends are concerned because they feel this has now become a safety issue. I don't know what to do and I need some possibilities of what could be wrong with my car. Thanks

ANSWER: Hi Tracey:

This is a pretty common issue with these cars. The problem is one or more of the wheels spped sensors for the ABS/traction control system is dropping out in low speed stops and turns. The problem is it's not doing it long enough for the control module to see a fault and set a code. My guess would be a wire harness that is bad going to one of the front wheel speed sensors. That the combination of slow speed and suspension flexin in make a bad connection in the ABS system. You could also have a bad wheel speed sensor on one of the wheel hubs and that will do the same thing. The turning and sloow speeds makes me belive it's a wire harness issue. Good luck :)


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello - I would like to thank you for answering my original question. The day I took my car to the dealership, it finally coded with a frequency code. They Said that a front left wheel sensor bracket was bent and causing it to pull the wires too tight, thus causing the problem with the traction control light. They fixed it and it hasn't done it since, but I have discovered that my headlamps on my car do not work at all in the AUTO mode, or actually any of the modes except the fog lamps and the high beams. They do not light up when I lock my car or unlock it and I'm pretty sure m y daytime running lamps do not work either. My father has tested all the fuses and everything is working properly. Is it possible the dealership could've disconnected something by mistake or is this something entirely different? Any ideas? Thank you so much for your time

Answer
Hi Again. Glad they fixed the issue you had I was pretty much right on with that. This one is a bit tougher though. You could have a headlamp switch that is bad But I doubt it. The ambinet light sensor could be bad and it doesn't see the chnage in outside light and it's not triggering the auto headlamps. They could be an issue with the body control module or auto lamp relay. without seeing it it's heard to say what the issue is. The body control module will set codes if ther is an issue with the system. I doubt the ABS and this issue are related.