HELP ! ! 2004 XLR ABS, Stabilitrac and Traction Control Lights ON ?

[BigBongo]

Newbie needs help again. 2004 XLR - ABS, Stabilitrac and Traction control lights all on. Where to start? Simple fix or expensive parts? Please point me in the right direction on this one. Thanks

 

[ghawk]

First step is to get a code reader that interfaces with the ABS system. All three of these faults could be the same cause like a wheel speed sensor. A lot of auto parts stores can read the codes for you if you don't have a reader. once you get the codes, start your search for the cause here and online.

Gary

 

[BigBongo]

Gary, Thanks. I sorta feel like the lyrics from Night Moves - Workin' on mysteries without any clues. I'll get started.

 

[rexster314]

Sometimes a low battery will cause the same effects

 

[Big Duck]

Did you activate the switch on the center console next to the top switch? That would give you a warning light.

 

[BigBongo]

Big Duck, Yes I did. Was looking to buy and just trying things out. Turned the system off and now cannot turn it back on or reset. Driving the car did not return it to operation. Simple fix or potentially big bucks? Thanks

 

[Big Duck]

Did you put a new battery in the car? After my car "lost its memory" when the battery went south, all I had to do was drive the car over 25mph to make the sensors give input to the computer. When the computer wakes up it does not "see" any brake sensor ---input so fault. Driving puts info in the computer. Otherwise find a good Corvette shop to go to Cadillac will perform a walletindectomy on you and, since it was a low production" [see above posts re; parts] the techs at Cadillac, unless you are VERY lucky, are not as good as an enthusiast. Good luck, I am just selling mine, what did you pay if I may ask?

 

[BigBongo]

Big Duck, The battery is brand new but car has been driven at least 150 miles, most at highway speeds since replacement.I am considering buying the car but the three warnings are worrisome. Seller will not take the time or expense to clear it up. He took it to a specialist ( unspecified ) and the Caddy dealer. Neither could diagnose the problem. Both wanted to "try" replacing the brake control module initially? Sounded like a lot of expensive trial and error. Sometimes I wonder if the XLR was bit ahead of its time in terms of complexity with the resultant maintenance headaches down the road? Don't want to buy a perpetual maintenance nightmare. Thoughts? Thanks

 

[long Tall Sally]

if he wont fix it and unless its 5,000$ under market value ,pass. There are plenty of them for sale ot go around. Figure 200 a month to set aside for maintenance ,You may spend 2000 up front or you may go the year before you need to spend it.

 

[Big Duck]

The technician needs to have a Tech II analyzer or compatible unit. I bought a set of manuals for the car ~$350.00 and a Chinese copy of the Tech II to allow me to follow what is necessary to sort out any problems. How ever I found a Corvette race mechanic that does the necessary maintenance. I am Blessed.
From my own experience, have a mechanic check the Bolt on the front of the crank that holds the harmonic balancer on. Factory did not tighten it properly and cost me the engine. The bolt holds the oil pump in place which is connected to the crank by a "Jacobs chuck" style fit. mine was "finger tight." Proper installation would be "torque to 120 ft lbs, remove and through out the bolt. Install new bolt [with some loctite blue in my opinion] and torque to 80 ft lbs."
If the bolt is not tight the oil pump does not pump and engine goes boom. I think the "Hand builder" forgot to do it. Bad day for him, worse for me.
Again, ~ what $ did/does the seller want?

 

[BigBongo]

Can't thank all of you enough. What a great forum and aid to the uneducated ( me ). This XLR is 2004 with 24,500 miles. Cosmetically it is excellent. Literally a garage-kept gem driven occasionally by an older woman. Mechanically, I don't know. Few MX records. With that low mileage maybe very little maintenance to be performed? Asking 17,500. Ready to buy until the warning lights became a concern. It still is a 15 year old car. Maybe it is like the question from Clint Eastwood in Dirty Harry " Do you feel lucky? " I guess it is sort of a roll of the dice. Thanks again for opening my eyes to the expensive possibilities.

 

[long Tall Sally]

get an 06 or 07 with 50-60,000 miles for the same or less money and have a better car. Unless you are going to drive it 15,000 miles a year that low of miles for more money is not getting you anything special. Looks at the shocks. if you see oil around the base of them ,they will need a replacement soon. Most likely will soon have a recall to replace the top. Then you may have a paint issue depending on color.

 

[long Tall Sally]

well the bolt sequence is rather impressive to read about. You have to buy 2 bolts , one to tighten in several steps , then remove and replace with another new bolt. My dealer says he does not remember anyone buying two at one time from him, so people apparently are installing them improperly. its ataper fit and all sort of things can go wrong wit ha taper fit torque. Not a fan of an oil pump being driven that way but a lot of cars do it

 

[Big Duck]

You would think that a keyway would be used. Another step in the manufacture process, Another$0.05 key, TOO EXPENSIVE savs the bean counter. Put in a taper, and it was good enough for Henry Fords's clutch!

 

[xlrlist01]

Newbie needs help again. 2004 XLR - ABS, Stabilitrac and Traction control lights all on. Where to start? Simple fix or expensive parts? Please point me in the right direction on this one. Thanks

This _could_ be a BCM harness end connector problem. If so, it might be very simple. Disconnect the battery, wait a few minutes and remove the connectors from the BCM, get some contact cleaner (not WD40), spray the connectors, air dry and reconnect. As the cost of this check is the cost of contact cleaner it is not expensive!

OTOH this could indicate an expensive problem.

 

[Big Duck]

If you have a "smart phone" Get a "diagnostic program" and a plug to put in the "Diagnostic port" which is located under dash to drivers right of the steering column. Plug in port plug, pair on bluetooth and read the "fault codes." Depending on the program's capabilities, that will let you know the fault codes and clear them to see if they reappear. You can also go to Autozone or the like and they will diagnose it for free.
My car had a :total loss of memory, including stations on the radio and seat positions when the battery went South [dead] nothing was wrong but the computer had faults up the ying yang. Even the operation of the mirrors, due to the loss of saved positions. Started with "ABS failure Service Soon speed limited to 80mph" which cleared up after driving over 25mph. The ABS sensor memory of receiving any input from sensors. Of course no input, the car was parked and had not moved since the computer lost its memory. Given input it and cleared itself. Hope this helps.