ABS issue

[JimMadsen]

Having a problem with the ABS on my 98 Lumina 3.1. When I start up the car and start to drive, I have the Low Traction light come on and hear mechanical noises coming from the front while the car feels like it is not stopping as it should. I assume this is the ABS functioning as it should and not locking up the brakes to put me into a skid. This is my first car with ABS and I personally do not care for it but oh well.

 

So starting the car and then backing up and driving away is my usual routine. If I am driving slightly downhill, say a 10 degree slope, this kicks in. Roads are dry, no sand, no recent rain etc. Speed up and drive, brake again still happens. After about 30 seconds or driving a couple hundred yards, goes away and does not come back until car is restarted. I have had it happen starting with a downhill slope and going to a uphill one with same symptoms. The slope probably has nothing to do with it.

 

Checked fluid level and it is perfect while level with no fluid added since replacing rear brake line a year ago. Front brakes have some warped rotors that I will replace with next brake job but pads are great. Replaced driver side front bearing back in June without issue, maybe didn't torque enough? But no light after initial problems or at higher speed telling me wheel is wobbling.

 

So far no safety issue other than being annoying and curious if symptom of bigger problem.

 

Thanks

[Schurkey]

Having a problem with the ABS on my 98 Lumina 3.1. When I start up the car and start to drive, I have the Low Traction light come on and hear mechanical noises coming from the front while the car feels like it is not stopping as it should. I assume this is the ABS functioning as it should and not locking up the brakes to put me into a skid.

NO. Under light or normal braking, you shouldn't know that the car has ABS.

 

You have a "Low Traction" light, and you're hearing "mechanical noises coming from the front"? SOMETHING IS WRONG.

[JimMadsen]

Duly noted, thats why I posted here cause I do not know a thing about abs.

 

Now what do I do? This does not happen every time and I seriously doubt it would reliably reproduce itself if I take it to a mechanic. It goes away after the initial problems as above and after that first minute or so of noise, I can drive for 3 hours, 100 miles, what have you and have zero repeats. Then I turn off the car, go into store or whatever for 3 minutes, come back out and about a 75% chance it happens again. My entire commute home from work includes about 6 miles of stop and go traffic at about parking lot speeds with no issue. A parking lot or pulling out of my driveway is typically when it occurs. Will try and capture a video of it.

 

Schurkey, you really are a guru here, I think you have answered on about 90%+ of my posts. Thank you for that.

Edited November 14, 2013 by JimMadsen

[Schurkey]

I seriously doubt it would reliably reproduce itself if I take it to a mechanic. It goes away after the initial problems as above and after that first minute or so of noise, I can drive for 3 hours, 100 miles, what have you and have zero repeats. Then I turn off the car, go into store or whatever for 3 minutes,come back out and about a 75% chance it happens again.

Those are good odds for a technician to find out what's going on.

[JimMadsen]

I did some more looking around on google and it seems that I am hearing the abs pump solenoids activating. Like I said I never had abs before this car. First thing I will look into is the wheel speed sensors this weekend, give them a good cleaning. Going to check codes as well even though there is no check engine light.

 

seems this is a big problem with similar model year gm light trucks, so maybe I have a similar problem wi debris affecting the sensor. A this point, can't really afford a mechanic. And the 75% is great odds but should have been 25%! Sorry about that but I should have proofread better before posting. Even then I am worried that it just will not happen for a mechanic.

 

going to do what I can first and take it from there. Was hoping someone else n here would have had exp with the same issue.

 

thanks