ABS module

steve99 · March 26, 2003

anyone have to replace the ABS module on their truck? I've been told about $950 for parts and labor. Does that sound about norm, would the parts alone be much less and would it be difficult to install. Or is that something I would want to let a pro do?

I have a 99 Sierra 5.3.

symptoms. ABS light came on and sounds like the solenoid is humming fairly loud. Only way to stop it engine on or off is to pull the ABS fuse.

thanks

MarkD · March 26, 2003

This is a pretty typical failure on '99 and early '00 GM trucks.

I had it go out on my '99.

Shaners · March 26, 2003

It was pretty common on the 1999 and early '00 trucks like mark said.

Smart move pulling the fuse or your truck would have a dead battery.

I thiink the hardest part about swapping it out, is coughing up the cash!!! I've seen them on Ebay for a much better price...

GnatGoSplat · March 27, 2003

I bought mine on Ebay for $53 shipped. It was a complete assembly with computer, modulator, and motor.

It came off an '02 Avalanche.

It would have been easy to install, had the screws on my module not been rusted and stripped. Anyway, I used a Dremel and special attachment to grind off the screws. Then I removed the computer from the "new" module and installed it on my ABS modulator. It's a tight crampy space, but there's enough room to do the swap and install/remove the screws.

You don't want to pull the whole assembly because the brake and ABS bleeding procedure is pretty intensive. Swapping only the computer itself is easy and quick, especially if your screws aren't stripped.

BlueRado · March 27, 2003

Steve99, seems many '99s, including my old one had the same problem!! My dealer quoted ~$900 to replace it, and I managed to get them down a lot - I think the part is ~ $285 new from gmparts direct.

Gnat has it right - you gotta be really careful getting to the module and getting the old, dirt-filled, rusted torx screws out. Someone told me #20 torx but you might want to verify that independently.

If you decide to do it yourself, clean out the screw heads really well (not easy as they point vertically and the unit is against the frame), and use a rust breaker first and let it soak a while.

You don't need to remove the lower part.

Good luck and keep us posted!

THE BIGPUNN · March 28, 2003

i was out of warranty when mine went out, i threw a fit at my local gm shop and they fixed it for free!

Jersey Tahoe LT · March 28, 2003

Is this something that I can look forward to in my 99? It has 62k on it.

GnatGoSplat · March 28, 2003

No, your Tahoe is the previous body style so it has a completely different ABS computer.

I noticed GM redesigned the 99+ version at some point, the one I put on my truck has a shinier stamped aluminum cover while the old one had a cast aluminum cover.

steve99 · March 28, 2003

Thanks for all the help.

I may try some junkyards for the part, depending on how much I have to spend we'll see if the risk is worth it.

When they say "Module" do they mean the whole assembly or just the computer part? And which part is the computer. I may take a picture and post it so I can see what part is what.

thanks again

BlueRado · March 28, 2003

Simply put, the "computer" part is the piece on top w/ wire leads and the lower has the brake lines running into it.

Hope this helps!

P.S. - Good luck finding one of these in a junk yard - they seem to be a hot commodity!! Also, just popped into my mind, you might want to try to get one from a '99 1/2 ton as it might be possible GM changed the part and/or vendor in the '00 model year or later - this is unsubstantiated though. Maybe the parts guy at your dealer can help you out there, for example.

GnatGoSplat · March 28, 2003

Nah, I don't think year matters for 99-02 (although maybe 03 is different).

My truck is a 99 and it works perfectly with the 02 Avalanche computer. The ABS computer even looks different, but the shape and connector were the same. It kicked in a lot this past very snowy winter so I know it works like it's supposed to.

99-02 should be fine, and I would try to get a newer one with the stamped cover just in case they improved the electronics in it.

steve99 · April 2, 2003

Gnatgosplat,

When your module went out did it have the same symptoms? (ABS ight comes on and module humms loudly and won't stop). Was it just the computer?

thanks for the help

GnatGoSplat · April 3, 2003

Yes. Both BRAKE and ABS lights stayed on and the ABS pump hummed very loudly even with ignition off. I had to pull the ABS fuse underhood to make it stop.

Yes, it was just the computer.

If you're patient, Ebay is the best place to get one.

steve99 · April 3, 2003

Thanks for all the advice, I will be scouring e-bay and/or the junkyards soon. Sure will be a much cheaper way to go.

thanks

Tolliverme · April 4, 2003

I agree with it is a common problem. The prlblem is that the circutry in the unit fails and supplies power to the Antilock Brake Pump motor all the time.

I went to a Junk Yard and got a replacement for my 99. It cost me $150. It takes less than thirty minutes to swap and then you need to bleed the brakes. According to what I was told by the Chevy dealer, any 99 or above Silverado unit will work.

I found the one I bought by searching for used Autoparts on Google.