ABS Control Module

GreenRado · July 7, 2002

Well guys (and gals), @ 45,762 miles I think the ABS module just crapped. :angry: Went out, started up, and heard this weird grinding noise on driver side under door and had the ABS light stay lit, go out for 1 sec, then come back on. I immediately shut it down, pulled the key, and opened the door, and it still ran on!!

Looked under there, and sure enough, coming from that unit. So I fished out the manual and pulled the 60 A "ABS" fuse in the underhood box, and lo and behold, it stopped.

Any help here from members who have had this issue, and had it repaired? Especially if any luck getting GM to pick up the tab after warranty - any TSBs anyone knows of? I want to have my ducks in a row, cause I'm going to raise a stink and see what happens. I'll post what happens - it hasn't been properly diagnosed yet, but I am 99% sure this is the issue. ??? ???

MountaineerTom · July 7, 2002

Is there a way to report it to NHSTA? Maybe if everyone that has these modules fail report it, a recall might be issued. If mine ever goes out, I'm going to try something like that. You never know, it just might work if enough people do it.

Good luck to you, I hope they work with you. It seems like I read on one of the forums that someone's dealer covered half of the expense. Hopefully yours will at least do that.

Shaners · July 8, 2002

That stinks man!!! This seems to be WAY too common of an issue on the '99 - early '00 trucks. GM needs to do something to compensate you guys as far as I'm concerned.

There have been modules on Ebay for a few Hundred bucks. (That's alot less than the $500-$600 that GM wants)

GreenRado · July 8, 2002

Thanks for the info and support guys - I may file a complaint w/ NHTSA - may not help me, but if enough do this, maybe we can all save some of you grief later.

Seems that there has been lots of discussion on various forums, but apparantly no action from GM. The truck is @ the dealer now, so I should hear shortly.

Anybody know if any of speed sensors, if failing, could cause this without actuating the ABS, and if so, do any of them send codes? It drove perfectly normal, except for the "ABS" and "Brakes" idiot lites on - the "brakes" lite may well have been cause I pulled the fuse to stop the chatter coming from the ABS control module. ???

I've got a couple of fairly well placed inside contacts, so I'm gonna try to get GM to cover this - my guess is that I don't have a pot to pi** in, or a window to throw it out of, as it were. I will post the results.

racer0175 · July 8, 2002

sorry to hear about your luck...i was just wondering what your brakes are like without that fuse in??

like an old truck without abs?

GreenRado · July 8, 2002

racer, the brakes acted perfectly normal, just w/o ABS with the fuse out. Now, I don't recommend doing this as a way out of replacing a bad module, but at least it doesn't strand you along the road. Both the ABS and Brake idiot lites were on, however.

By way of update, talked w/ the service dept, then they talked to GM district to see what they could do. I also talked w/ my contacts, and it all came back the same - namely GM hasn't seen enough problems to even have any formal response, and as such cannot cover any of it. Guess I'm not surprised. I talked again w/ the service manager, and he agreed to split cost with me - said that was the best I could get. Std cost for replacement is ~ $945, and the part is ~$650. So my cost is $477. My guy in the know said that's the best you're gonna get as GM will not do any more. ???

BTW, the dealer, Rampy Chevrolet in Ann Arbor, tried to work with this, and it's to their credit going to bat for me, even though I didn't buy the truck there. They had to order the ABS module, so I'll get her back by tomorrow PM.

MountaineerTom · July 8, 2002

Ouch! At least your dealer is helping out, that's better than nothing. ???

CMNTMXR81 · July 8, 2002

FYI, ABS modulators is a common problem on the Kelsey Hayes system. GM knows this. I've gone through 2 or 3 myself. GM already had a recall on it (admittedly it was for the old body style trucks), so no reason to involve the NHTSA over something GM already knows and has taken action.

nonstop · July 8, 2002

I really like the fact that there helping you out.

Are they?

Sounds like they double that cost of the ABS unit, tell you the price, knowing that your not going to bite, and then they say they'll split the cost with you, hummmmmmmmm..

GreenRado · July 8, 2002

It's unfortunate that this hasn't been extended to the new body style also. In fact the guy mentioned that GM was aware of the issues w/ the older body style modules, but that it has not been dealt with officially yet w/ the newer.

Yeah, we all know much the mark-ups are really high, and I'm sure that the dealer isn't losing money on the deal. Still it helped me out some, and that's less than the dealer would charge normally.

gmcjoe · July 8, 2002

Does anybody have the part number for this ABS module on the 99-02 pickups?

nonstop · July 8, 2002

Can the ABS unit be rebuilt?

Is there anyone else that sells these units?

If there dying like they are, someone could make a mint, on rebuilt units

GreenRado · July 8, 2002

gmcjoe, I probably will tomorrow when I get the bill.

I'll post the number.

99silveradoz71 · July 9, 2002

I know this problem has been discussed numerous times on other forums and such. I've been lucky and haven't had the module go yet. Is this something that's easy to replace or a dealer job? The best we can do is just make the dealers aware and hope GM does something.

dougsster · July 9, 2002

My 90 k1500 is sounding better and better to me all the time!!! ??? I moved my boat for the 1st time with my new 1200 mile k2500 (It was supposed to tow my 4000 lb boat better than my old truck with 165k on the clock ) I shut it off and unhooked the trailer after about a 7 mile drive and now both brake and abs itiot lights are on!!! Ill let you know what the guys at the dealer say tomorrow after I have it towed in and drive my failthful old steed to work in the morning. I guess after having the hydroboost replaced for a major leak at 600 miles and now this at 1200 miles, I am off to a very rocky start with the new beast! Oh, not to mention the gas mileage completely sucks!!! Im into my 4th tank and less than a quarter tank left, 10 mpg sucks!!! My tbi 5.7 with the same gears combined got about 14 and almost 19 hwy if I cruised!!! Sorry for the rant!

Doug