[dustin]

I think this is a new one. I searched the forums and could not find something similar.

The stabilitrak warning came on a few months ago and then went away. It came on again this week but this time after a few minutes the ABS light came on as well. Then they both went off. The next day they both came back and a friend driving behind us told us our brake lights were constantly on. To make things weirder as I was testing it in the driveway the brake lights would go off when I pressed the brake. This is a safety issue and my wife refuses to drive the car. The searched the TBS and recalls with no luck. Powertrain warranty is the only warranty active for me so I think I am paying out of pocket for this one.

The warning lights are intermittent. I planned on taking it to the dealership this morning but as I drove around for 1/2 an hour the light would not turn on. I have learned my lesson in the past about taking a car to the dealership when the problem isn't actually manifesting. I have no intention of paying some kid to take my car for a joy ride to repeat the problem.

Anyways... I thought I would share and maybe someone has some advice. I have had a this car a little over a year and it goes into the shop every couple of months. But I can't get out of it without taking a massive financial hit so I am riding it out for now. The car was for the wife and three kids in car seats. She is a nervous wreck driving it and now hates it. For how much we paid the whole deal just sucks.

On another note I tried out the Torque android app. It is pretty slick, linked right up to the car. But of course it can't read ABS codes. It didn't pick up the Stabilitrak code either. I have been researching with no luck for a cheap way to pull those codes. The local O'Reilly's has a loaner but it could not read the ABS codes either.

 

[ls973800]

You problem sounds similar to one that was posted on one of these boards in the last month or so. Check you brake fluid level and make sure it isn't low. The master cylinder has been known to leak on these vehicles. It does so in such a way that none of the leaking fluid is seen on the vehicle or the ground. This will cause the stabiltrak warning light and or the ABS light to come on.

The other post also mentioned the brake light staying on and it was being caused by a faulty or mis-adjusted brake switch on the brake pedal. This switch reacts when the brake pedal is pushed and turns on the brake lights. If it is faulty or mis-adjusted, the lights may stay on all the time or may not come on all the time.

You may have both the master cylinder and the brake switch problem at the same time.

Hopefully a few suggestions as to where to start looking. Check you brake fluid now!

 

[rbarrios]

I wonder if its the same thread I read LS....
I do recall a thread where someone was on a trip- and the 2nd party in the trip driving behind them told them their brake lights were staying on...
but he did have the problem fixed.

 

[dustin]

I tried all sorts of combinations in the search bar of this forum with no luck. I would really like to find that post about the brake lights staying on. That seems uncommon enough that it might be the same thing I am dealing with.

I will check the brake fluid when I get home tonight.

 

[dustin]

The brake fluid was about 1" below the max line. I didn't see a min line. Is this in the normal range?

I think I found my answer. The half way line is the min, I don't think it is a leak.

 

[dustin]

http://www.traverseforum.com/indexphp?topic=2295.20

Found it... thanks for the heads up guys. Hopefully I can find a part number.

If the new customer support folks are monitoring do you think there is any chance this would be covered under the power train warranty?

 

[tsc1969]

I recently had the same issue with My Outlook and it was the master cylinder. The fluid level did not appear to be low but it was leaking into the brake booster. There was no visible signs. The dealer replaced the master and all is well.
Tim C.

 

[stoney56]

I had a faulty brake switch, but in troubleshooting the switch I pushed the plastic back where it was supposed to be and the switch is working flawlessly for the past few months. I have an extra one I bought off of ebay on hand when this switch finally bugs out again.

I decided that the small switch must have flexed enough where it hung up the metal contacts and kept the circuit closed.

 

[dustin]

Stoney,

What were the symptoms of faulty park brake switch? Did it happen to light up the ABS and stabilitrak warning?

I am still trying to narrow down my diagnosis.

Thanks in advance.

 

[dustin]

Update.

The problem with the brake lights stayed away for a few months and came back today. My wife was able to get it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a the brake switch just like Stoney. They are going to charge me $150 for the fix. From the research I did this is not a DIY because the switch/sensor needs to be programmed with their fancy computer.

 

[GM Customer Service]

Update.

The problem with the brake lights stayed away for a few months and came back today. My wife was able to get it to the dealership and they diagnosed it as a the brake switch just like Stoney. They are going to charge me $150 for the fix. From the research I did this is not a DIY because the switch/sensor needs to be programmed with their fancy computer.

Hello dustin,

I am glad that you were able to get your vehicle repaired. If I can be of assistance, please private message me.

Have a great day,

Jennifer T.
GM Customer Care