Grand Prix GT low trac light/power issues?

Question

When it is wet outside or when I turn hard my low trac light will come on. It only used to come on when it was icy or snowy. The problem is that after coming on and off for a few times (the low trac light) I will hear a click and my "ABS light" "low trac light" and my "check tire pressure light" all come on and stay on until I turn my car off and back on again. I took a wire brush to my battery terminals (the positive was corroded) and the problem went away for about two months then cam back recently. The battery terminals are fine this time. One more thing is that it feels like my power steering is not working as good when all the lights come on and stay on. The car starts with no trouble, but the lights do seem to dim intermittently (interior and exterior). I also detached the negative battery terminal to reset the computer if I could, and I have a car phone charger that I now leave unplugged when not in use in case that was screwing with my electrical system. Any ideas?

Answer 1

Should check your charging system. Should charge at least 13.5 volts or so at idle, with nothing on. Many stores (AutoZone, maybe) will check your alternator and battery for free. Some (not many, mine is one though) shops will do so for free. ABS needs good system voltage to work properly. When voltage goes down, strange things happen to ABS. Also, there is a common problem with wheel bearings going bad, causing the antilock to actuate at the end of a stop (5 miles and hour or less). That would need to be diagnosed with a scanner, or a voltmeter and a few jacks. (read a/c voltage from wheel bearing ABS connector when spin tires by hand, should be 300 millivolts...got one that reads 145mv? You got the culprit). One last thing comes to mind, since power steering goes to heck...belt tensioners can seize. If the tension isn't maintained on the belt, the belt will slip...causing the alternator and pwoer steering, a/c, and water pump to not work as well. The belt tensioner should move when you give the belt a hard yank (make sure the engine isn't running) and spring back when you let go.

Answer 2

ABS, trac control, and tire pressure all read off of your wheel speed sensors. You have one on each wheel. They tell the main computer how fast each wheel is turning. So if a wheel all of the sudden stops turning, the ABS kicks in and lets it turn to keep you from sliding. If a wheel spins faster than the other, the trac control turns on the low trac light, and if a tire goes flat it turns a diff speed, thus turning your flat light on. So, first guess Wheel speed sensor on the front wheels, you just have to find out which one. Could be different size tires, wrong size, or computer also. Lights dimming would probably be diff prob such as alternator.

Answer 3

If the low coolant gentle comes on. It potential the water on your radiator is low. Or the sensor is malfunctioning. examine the coolant reservoir in direction of the front of the engine. If no water or antifreeze is there. Fill it up. If that is finished, unplug the two wires going to the sensor. the gentle could bypass out. If it does, that's the sensor. each so often you could jiggle the sensor and it will relax. do not open the radiator cap if the engine is warm. enable it cool off and then examine the water point. good success