QuestionHi Matt,
I have a 2002 Chevy 1500 4x4 pick-up. Awhile back there was a recall on this truck that involved the anti-lock sensors. At low speeds - 10 to 4 - mph the senor would activate and there was some stopping problems. I had the recall taken care of and now I am having the same problem. I went back to the dealer and was told that the repair was a one time thing and to have them repair the problem it could be as much as $450.00 if the sensors broke when taking them out. The initial repair involved some sort of cleaning of the senors.
My questions are, is this something I can do myself and how difficult is it to remove the sensors and if I were to damage the sensor can the sensor be purchased at an auto parts type store or is this only a dealer item. Any information you can provide including info. on removing the sensors and repair (cleaning) would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it possible to unplug the sensors and eliminate the problem that way. If so, how and where do they unplug.
Thank you for any information you can provide regarding this problem.
Again, THANK YOU,
Mike
AnswerMike,
here is the original recall:
Description
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE UNWANTED ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) ACTIVATION. THIS CONDITION IS MORE LIKELY TO OCCUR IN ENVIRONMENTALLY CORROSIVE AREAS. THIS RECALL WILL BE LAUNCHED IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MAINE, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA ONLY.
Consequence
THIS CAN CAUSE INCREASED STOPPING DISTANCES DURING LOW-SPEED BRAKE APPLICATIONS, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS ARE TO REMOVE THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR AND THOROUGHLY CLEAN THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR MOUNTING SURFACE ON THE BEARING, APPLY RUST INHIBITOR TO THE CLEANED SURFACE, GREASE THE MOUNTING SURFACE, REINSTALL THE WHEEL SPEED SENSOR, AND CHECK THE PEAK-TO-PEAK OUTPUT VOLTAGE TO ENSURE THE WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL IS WITHIN SPECIFICATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN SEPTEMBER 22, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.
Potential Units Affected
1353718
Notes
GENERAL MOTORS CORP. 05068
now,
This is caused by the front wheel speed sensors getting rust in them making them lose connection with the wheels as needed to calculate speed. The truck thinks the front wheels aren't turning therefor applying the antilock brakes. What you have to do is pull of the front wheels one at a time and you might be able to see the sensors from that point to remove them to clean them but you may have to pull off the brake rotors to get to everything. Take a file or some sandpaper and sand rust off of the end of the sensor. while you have them off there is a round disk on the inside of the rotor, clean it too as they will both be corroded. After cleaning put it all back together and give it a trip around the block and see if it worked. As for the sensor being bought at an auto parts store, they may have them being tat the truck is a few years old now. Check around before you remove the old ones so you know they are available. I personally would not unplug anything on the ABS being that it may have an adverse affect on other systems. Try cleaning them and see what happens first
Hope this helps I'm here if you need anything else
Matt
