StabilTrak issue?

[97x]

Yesterday when trying to drive in ICY conditions the Service Stabiltrak lit up on DIC.
When I got home and turned off and restarted the warning went away.
Should I be worried?
Another DIC issue, how do I reset the oil change warning?

Thanks for the help!
New owner of SAAB 9-7

 

[dkvasnicka]

If it was just the SERVICE STABILITRAK message and the light and nothing else it's just the steering wheel position sensor. Very common on GMT360. When it's on its way out it usually misbehaves in colder weather and/or when doing a lot of steering wheel work (parking lots etc.) Some say it helps to park the truck with the wheels straight, no angle.

Mine has been doing this for at least a year but almost never during summer and even in winter it doesn't happen during every drive. The only thing I'm not sure about is whether the Stabilitrak functionality is actually compromised (or completely disabled) in any way when this happens. I tend to think it (at least partially) works regardless of this message because I never felt "betrayed" by the truck when this happened in winter. Someone more knowledgeable might chime in and clarify.

Changing the SWPS isn't that much of a PITA and has been described on the forum(s) I think.

 

[Mooseman]

For the Stabilitrak, like @therealsethallen said. And, if it does come on, you can cancel it by turning the key to the start position. No, it won't grind the starter by doing this.

To reset the OLM, when you have it displayed, push and hold the "Enter" button.

 

[97x]

For the Stabilitrak, like @therealsethallen said. And, if it does come on, you can cancel it by turning the key to the start position. No, it won't grind the starter by doing this.

To reset the OLM, when you have it displayed, push and hold the "Enter" button.

Thanks, Mooseman, you are great.
I think mine came on because the wheel was turned but we were going straight, very slick conditions. Hasn't lit up since.
When the Stabiltrak lights up does this compromise the operation?

 

[07TrailyLS]

As someone who has had the light coming on and off randomly for the last year everyday, I can confirm that it in fact still works although the light is showing. I've learned to just ignore it seeing it goes away every time i restart the truck

 

[Bill Reid]

Now that its cooled off here in AZ, same issue here... occasional "Service Stabilitrak" on the DIC along with the dash light. I'll verify with pulling codes before shelling out for a sensor. I bet I would be just fine without changing it... but the occasional light bugs me

 

[Mooseman]

I had the same issue on cold mornings and would clear it after warmup, it wouldn't return. Wheel position or movement didn't make any difference. One time when I was under there for something else, I decided to take it out and see if I could clean it or something. Initially, I thought it was just contacts with different resistances but it turned out to be some sort of optical sensor. I blew out the dust, put it back together and it's been fine since.

 

[Bill Reid]

I'll try blowing it out first. Thanks

 

[coolasice]

I had the same issue on cold mornings and would clear it after warmup, it wouldn't return. Wheel position or movement didn't make any difference. One time when I was under there for something else, I decided to take it out and see if I could clean it or something. Initially, I thought it was just contacts with different resistances but it turned out to be some sort of optical sensor. I blew out the dust, put it back together and it's been fine since.

The sensor uses both optics and a wiper similar to a potentiometer. Over time the wiper wears down. Its a simple procedure to replace, about 30-60mins depending on your skills.

 

[Nina]

I took my GMC Envoy Denali to the Chevy dealer today to have The service stabilitrak light that comes on checked. They told me it was error C0455 and that the steering wheel position sensor needed to be replaced and that it would be $491. and if not replaced if it went bad I could lose my power steering? Does this just sound like hooey to me, scare tactic to a woman to get my money for a repair that expensive?

 

[Chickenhawk]

Yes. You called it.

The part is about $100 to $150, and it is about 2.5 hours labour (by the book) so the price is not unreasonable when done at the dealer. BUT the explanation is bullshit.

Here is what you should do. The next time the light comes on, drive for a few blocks then while driving or when stopped at a light, turn the key to the START position. (Don't worry, it won't turn the starter.) This resets the ignition. If the light goes out - and it will - then don't worry about it for now. If it doesn't work, drive another few blocks and try it again. Do it while the engine is running and the truck is in gear.

Personally, I would not bother changing out the steering wheel position sensor unless this happens more than once or twice a month, or if the light does NOT go out after bumping the key to the forward (start) position while driving.

 

[Nina]

Yes. You called it.

The part is about $100 to $150, and it is about 2.5 hours labour (by the book) so the price is not unreasonable when done at the dealer. BUT the explanation is bullshit.

Here is what you should do. The next time the light comes on, drive for a few blocks then while driving or when stopped at a light, turn the key to the START position. (Don't worry, it won't turn the starter.) This resets the ignition. If the light goes out - and it will - then don't worry about it for now. If it doesn't work, drive another few blocks and try it again. Do it while the engine is running and the truck is in gear.

Personally, I would not bother changing out the steering wheel position sensor unless this happens more than once or twice a month, or if the light does NOT go out after bumping the key to the forward (start) position while driving.

Happens more than 4days a week and stayed on 30min on my drive to work one day. I figure if I did want to fix it with a new sensor my son could probably do it, since he put his own backup viewer in his Yukon. Figured they thought I was just a stupid woman and believe what they said and pay them to change it and then from other comments I've read that doesn't always fix the issue. Thanks for your response.

 

[Chickenhawk]

4 times a week is excessive and should be changed out. The steering wheel position sensor is an electro-mechanical sensor, much like a higher tech version of an old rheostat that uses metal-to-metal contacts to define the angle of the steering wheel. This is why it is subject to wear. Most of the wear area is in the center where about 95% of your steering wheel sits while driving. This means that if the truck is parked with the steering off center, the contacts are now in a low wear area, which is subject to corrosion and momentary loss of contact.

This is why many owners find they can minimize the warnings if they try to park with the wheels straight.

The steering wheel position sensor is a necessary part of the electronic stability control, that helps prevent things like rollover accidents. It is a great system but it does depend on these sensors. Plus, because the ESC system uses the braking and ABS system to automatically apply braking to individual wheels when needed, a shutdown of the ESC because it is not getting a good signal from the steering wheel position sensor, also shuts down part or all of the ABS system.

This is why we recommend the key bump after a few blocks if the light is on, at least until one can change the sensor.

I get the same thing on our 07, but it is only about once a month and the key bump takes care of it.

 

[Nina]

I did try the key bump yesterday and it did work, but you're right it coming on now much more often and staying on longer. Mine is a 2006 with about 90,000 miles, so if I can get the son around to it probably a very good idea to change it. And I find my brakes to be somewhat soft so do you suppose that sensor could be causing that also? Thanks so much for all the info.

 

[Chickenhawk]

The sensor won't have anything to do with the feel of the brakes. Soft brakes are usually a symptom that it is time to change the pads and rotors. If the brakes have never been bled, they should be as well. Get him to pull a wheel off and look at your pads and rotors.

If the pads and rotors are good and the brakes have been bled in the past 4 years, then try this quick trick. If you haven't used your brakes very hard or if they have been recently changed or bled, find a gravel road or slippery road somewhere quiet and try hammering on the brakes from 15 mph or so, hard enough to get the ABS to kick in for a few seconds. Do this two or three times.

But remember that this only works if the pads and rotors are good. If they need changing, do this trick AFTER you get the brakes done.

It seems like a lot of work but all this is part of regular maintenance, and keeping older vehicles running well. There is not much that goes wrong that cannot be fixed with some mechanical aptitude, a few good tools and this forum as help.

 

[Mooseman]

Soft brakes are usually a symptom that it is time to change the pads and rotors.

I would also add that it's also possibly time to flush the brake system to replace the fluid with new fresh fluid.

 

[DAlastDON]

Certainly firmed my brake peddle up when i flushed the blackened fluid out shortly after purchase when i replaced every fluid.

 

[hayes]

I have this, but with a new development. I can't clear the light. I have a code reader and it doesn't read the code anymore, but the light is on. Normal procedure will clear it (turning the car off and on again with the wheels straight).

 

[Mooseman]

Did you check the fuses? What are you using as a code reader?

 

[hayes]

I have a OBDII wifi scanner and the DashCommand app. I tried the trick of turning the key to the start while running and that worked flawlessly. Guess I will do it that way.

 

[Mooseman]

Not sure if DashCommand is able to read those codes. Car Gauge Pro does. In any case, it sounds like the usual suspect of the steering wheel position sensor going wonky.

 

[hayes]

I've known the sensor is wonky since I bought it 2.5 years ago. I just lived with the light. I bought the reader and DashCommand for a few other codes that I was chasing down. Local parts shops won't clear codes anymore, so I have this in case. The DashCommand can read all the codes (which cost me an extra $10). It worked for about 4 months and then it stopped. It's all good though, I now have a work around.

 

[Robmoo]

I had the same issue which seemed worse on cold days starting the vehicle for the 1st time. Thank you all! It turned out to be the Steering Wheel Position Sensor. For a $125 part and 1.5 hours of my time I cleared it up. I could have gone with the Dorman part for less, but I read about some reliability issues. I didn't want to cost my self more time and money trying to save $30. I've been driving the vehicle for 2 weeks without issue.

 

[masospaghetti]

I got an intermittent stabilitrak service light on my 2006. Changed the steering wheel angle sensor with a new OE unit and I continue to get the intermittent light.
I'm either going to shell out for a new code scanner that reads stabilitrak codes, or try and take it in to the parts store when the light is on. What would be the most likely culprit besides the steering wheel angle sensor? ABS wheel sensors?

 

[Mooseman]

That's possible but you would also get the ABS light. You could get a cheap Bluetooth OBD adapter and Car Gauge Pro for Android. Reads all codes.