Stabilitrack Active light keeps coming on

[LadyXena]

I have a 2012 Sonic 2LT Sedan.

I recently got my tires replaced and an alignment. After I got this done, the second time (same day the maintenance was done), the Stabilitrack light came on and stayed on. I turned off the car after driving it and the next time I turned on the car, it wasn't on. At first, it only happened 1/4 of the time, but now it is up to happening 3/4 of the time. I know I need to get it checked, but my question is, could this be related to the tire replacement and alignment, or was it just a coincidence? Whenever it comes on, I am turning off Stabilitrack, but the light stays on. Anybody have any guidance on this? I appreciate it.



Thanks,
LX

 

[mitdr774]

If it didnt happen until the alignment and tires were done I would take it back to whoever did the work and tell them to fix what they damaged. Of course if its been too long you may be SOL. I suspect it is related to the alignment.

 

[Papasonic]

I had a similar problem with my 2012 manual trans. 1.4 hatch. The light would illuminate for no apparent reason, would go off after a restart, and then at random would repeat.
The diagnosis and fix was replacing the brake pedal position sensor.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

Was the car really out of alignment or was the shop trying only to align their invoice higher? Most cars I've had experience with hardly need alignment, unless you tag something like a curb or giant pothole. That said, Stabilitrack gets its information from the wheel rotation sensors, throttle, brake and steering / yaw sensors. I'd suspect wheel sensors first, the front ones on many cars are built into the hubs.

If one of these sensors is giving bad data, it causes a light to light up telling you.

A skilled tech can test wheel sensors with a scope and also check the system. I'd check your tire pressures and just asking also if you replaced a tire? They should all be the same diameter.

Also you could go back to the shop that did the tire rotation and have them recheck the wheels and torque, lugs, pressures.

 

[$ub$onic]

FYI, the stabilitrak light is also used as sort of a "electrical cel". It will come on if there is a short somewhere.

Just some additional info.

 

[423]

Sensor inside of car on steering shaft, near the firewall......

423

 

[LadyXena]

I took it back to the place where I got the tires and alignment. They checked the tires, the mounting, the alignment, and visual inspection of all sensors and connections on the ABS.

They said everything checked out, but they ran down basic diagnostics for me. When they ran it through the diagnostics, they said there wasn't any sort of code that came back. All they got was the GM Code. So they said that I have to go to the dealership and if the dealership determines that it was their fault they would pay the repair cost, but if they say it's something else, it is my responsibility. I agree with that sentiment, so I told them fine and I am going to schedule an appointment at the dealership.

Sensor inside of car on steering shaft, near the firewall......
423

I had a similar problem with my 2012 manual trans. 1.4 hatch. The light would illuminate for no apparent reason, would go off after a restart, and then at random would repeat.
The diagnosis and fix was replacing the brake pedal position sensor.

Do either of these problems cause the GM code, or would it read out the right code?

Was the car really out of alignment or was the shop trying only to align their invoice higher? Most cars I've had experience with hardly need alignment, unless you tag something like a curb or giant pothole.

Yes, it did need an alignment. There was construction with plates and potholes on the only road to my house for the last 6 months and it was pulling left.

A skilled tech can test wheel sensors with a scope and also check the system. I'd check your tire pressures and just asking also if you replaced a tire? They should all be the same diameter.

I replaced all four tires. My car has 54k miles and it needed new ones all around.

 

[Scot]

Xena,
At the most basic level, there are two types of trouble codes:

* Generic fault codes that manufacturers need to make available to ALL OBD scantools - these generic codes cover powertrain faults only, and not all of them.

* "Manufacturer Specific" codes that each manufacturer creates to specify system faults and ONLY accessible with a manufacturer-specific scantool. These codes pertain to body & chassis modules - like ABS, Stability control and Body control modules.

When a generic scantool reads a manufacturer-specific code (if it even can see it in the first place) it does not have any definitions to reference / explian the code - hence the need to visit a dealership.

 

[theenico]

During an alignment our cars need the steering angle sensor recalibrated. If they didn't use one of the newer whiz-bang alignment machines with OBD-II capabilities, that may be the issue.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

Also just wondering if the alignment was thrown off by road hazards, is something bent? It can happen that things get tweaked enough to pull, but if it was off bad, I'd have another shop give a look at the suspension and see if something is bent....although I admit a lot of shops will tell you X needs replacing just to get some money out of you.

Hmm..I guess if it drives OK, don't worry too much and keep an eye on how the car performs steering wise. The steering sensor re-calibrate sounds like a place to start.

 

[ChrisJ]

Was the car really out of alignment or was the shop trying only to align their invoice higher? Most cars I've had experience with hardly need alignment, unless you tag something like a curb or giant pothole. That said, Stabilitrack gets its information from the wheel rotation sensors, throttle, brake and steering / yaw sensors. I'd suspect wheel sensors first, the front ones on many cars are built into the hubs.

If one of these sensors is giving bad data, it causes a light to light up telling you.

A skilled tech can test wheel sensors with a scope and also check the system. I'd check your tire pressures and just asking also if you replaced a tire? They should all be the same diameter.

Also you could go back to the shop that did the tire rotation and have them recheck the wheels and torque, lugs, pressures.

Also just wondering if the alignment was thrown off by road hazards, is something bent? It can happen that things get tweaked enough to pull, but if it was off bad, I'd have another shop give a look at the suspension and see if something is bent....although I admit a lot of shops will tell you X needs replacing just to get some money out of you.

Hmm..I guess if it drives OK, don't worry too much and keep an eye on how the car performs steering wise. The steering sensor re-calibrate sounds like a place to start.

I'm curious where you get the information that an alignment isn't usually needed unless you hit something to knock it out?

Suspension and steering components wear and as they wear it effects alignment therefore one must assume an occasional alignment is likely necessarily.

I've never owned or driven a car that had 100K on it and didn't need at least one alignment in it's lifetime and ones with half that can often benefit some as well.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

Well I've had alignments done, but usually as you say on older cars / higher miles. I've got a Odyessy van with 120k on it and drives as straight as the day I bought it never had it aligned. I had Dodge Shadow turbo and drove it 140k and never had need for alignment. I had a '70 Nova and a '84 Mazda truck both zero alignments. I did get one on our old 2000 Oldsmobile, needed 4 wheel but it was close to 160k on the clock by that time. If your tie rod ends replace, yea, goes with the job.

I was just curious as the Sonic is a pretty new car, but stuff happens. The OP said they hit a big pothole. Not saying its highly unusual but it wouldn't surprise me if a shop added it to make a bit extra on the bill, needed or not. I know I sound like a pessimist, but as a honest semi-pro mechanic in the past and seeing cars that were worked on in other shops and hearing the customer's tales of woe, nothing would surprise me.

 

[ChrisJ]

Well I've had alignments done, but usually as you say on older cars / higher miles. I've got a Odyessy van with 120k on it and drives as straight as the day I bought it never had it aligned. I had Dodge Shadow turbo and drove it 140k and never had need for alignment. I had a '70 Nova and a '84 Mazda truck both zero alignments. I did get one on our old 2000 Oldsmobile, needed 4 wheel but it was close to 160k on the clock by that time. If your tie rod ends replace, yea, goes with the job.

I was just curious as the Sonic is a pretty new car, but stuff happens. The OP said they hit a big pothole. Not saying its highly unusual but it wouldn't surprise me if a shop added it to make a bit extra on the bill, needed or not. I know I sound like a pessimist, but as a honest semi-pro mechanic in the past and seeing cars that were worked on in other shops and hearing the customer's tales of woe, nothing would surprise me.

Ah I see,

Just keep in mind just because it drives straight doesn't mean it doesn't need an alignment.

 

[Dirkdaddy]

You may laugh but I've done an alignment on an antique car that few if any shops would know what to do with using two bit of pipe, a couple scraps of 4x4, masking tape, a tape measure...granted not the fastest way but it drove great with just a bit of toe in for the bias ply tires. I got Longacre racing portable digital setup for camber/caster but most of the time on vehicles that's set - but you can measure it and test. I don't recommend that sort of thing for newer cars but if you need to adjust it you can get pretty close if you can't bring it in right away.

 

[ChrisJ]

You may laugh but I've done an alignment on an antique car that few if any shops would know what to do with using two bit of pipe, a couple scraps of 4x4, masking tape, a tape measure...granted not the fastest way but it drove great with just a bit of toe in for the bias ply tires. I got Longacre racing portable digital setup for camber/caster but most of the time on vehicles that's set - but you can measure it and test. I don't recommend that sort of thing for newer cars but if you need to adjust it you can get pretty close if you can't bring it in right away.

I've done an alignment on my boss' Ford Model A.

 

[LadyXena]

So I figured I would put up the diagnostic that was given to me by the dealership in case anybody else would need the info.

Evidently the ABS module is shorting somewhere. They say that they can't repair it and it has to be a total replacement. With labor, parts, and taxes will be just over $800 to repair.

Kinda getting frustrated with the car at this point in time. As I have had to have 3 repairs done on it in the just over 2.5 years I have had it. There was a sensor in the engine that was broken (dealership told me this happened on the line during assembly and wound up being covered by the warranty), the gear shift button broke which required the whole unit to have to be replaced (not covered), and now the ABS module (not covered). Is anyone else having any problems consistently with their Sonics?

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

So I figured I would put up the diagnostic that was given to me by the dealership in case anybody else would need the info.

Evidently the ABS module is shorting somewhere. They say that they can't repair it and it has to be a total replacement. With labor, parts, and taxes will be just over $800 to repair.

Kinda getting frustrated with the car at this point in time. As I have had to have 3 repairs done on it in the just over 2.5 years I have had it. There was a sensor in the engine that was broken (dealership told me this happened on the line during assembly and wound up being covered by the warranty), the gear shift button broke which required the whole unit to have to be replaced (not covered), and now the ABS module (not covered). Is anyone else having any problems consistently with their Sonics?

Hey LadyXena,

I'm sorry to hear about the issues you're having with your Sonic! I know this can be frustrating. I can definitely look into the issues you're having with your ABS module further. Can you please PM me your VIN, current mileage, contact info and the dealership you're working with? I hope to hear from you soon, I'll keep an eye out for your message.

Anisha T (assisting Patsy)
Chevrolet Customer Care

 

[Dirkdaddy]

I admit I'm encouraged by GM having a customer care person checking on problems with their vehicles and repairs done by dealerships. In the old days you were pretty much SOL. Not that anything might change, but it is encouraging.

 

[Chevrolet Customer Care]

I admit I'm encouraged by GM having a customer care person checking on problems with their vehicles and repairs done by dealerships. In the old days you were pretty much SOL. Not that anything might change, but it is encouraging.

Hey Dirkdaddy,

We appreciate the kind words. We are happy to help the best way possible with any vehicle concerns you all may be experience. Just remember, we are only a private message away .

Patsy G
Chevrolet Customer Care