Active Handling Woes

[AZMike]

Well, the 01 Vert has been in to the dealarship 3 times for the 'Serive active handling' message. The first time, they applied the ABS bulleting to fix the problem - it didn't work.

On try number 2, they just cleared codes - this obviously didn't work.

On try number 3, I was told it was re-calibrated, but the work order only shows that they cleared the codes and tested it out fine. I doubt they tested it as the problem happened again 1/4 mile from the dealarship when I picked it up on Saturday (how pathetic is that!)

Anyway, the 'Service Active Handling' error is coming up on the computer and it's throwing a code C1288. Any ideas on what this could be (since they already supposedly installed the ABS update)?

I spoke with the service manager at the dealarship and will give them 1 more try tomorrow before I call GM to get involved. I had heard that Thorobred Chevy in Chandler, AZ had good c5 techs. Guess I heard wrong.

Anyone know who can actually understand and fix the active handling system in the Phoenix area?

This really makes me nervous about keeping the car after the warantee runs out.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Service Manuals

I bought the service manuals for my 'vette. I think they run about $125 retail. I got mine 'used' for $75 on the 'net. They are useful for showing me how to do some simple repairs and they also tell me what the DTC codes are. I may not be able to fix any particular problem, but at least I have some idea what the problem is.

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
I would first just ask them to check for updated programs for the ABS control module.
This should always be the first course of action.
Next, your C1288 shows a problem with the steering wheel position sensor. Basically, it says that your A signal and your B signal do not agree with what the control module should see.
So, this code sets. Unfortunately, this also disables Active handling when it sets.
So, with this in mind, I would check for calibration updates first, and then proceed with diagnosis of the steering wheel position sensor.
Allthebest, c4c5

 

[atmmac]

Talk about Super Chevy Service!

 

[AZMike]

Well, the car got dropped back off at Thorobred yesterday. I've got the service manager and shop foreman handling it. Monday on the way home from work, the Active hindling tried to bring the car to a complete stop when I was making a right turn (and a very slow one at that!).

I was just atarting out - about 15% throttle and the 'Active Hadling' light came on. I felt a brake or 2 kick in and gave it a little more gas. The more gas I gave it, the more brake it applied. I let off the gas, and the system disabled itself with the 1288 code again. Not a very comforting thing to have happen. If I see any more if this kind of thing, I be sure to disable the active handling whenever I drive. I'd hate for the computer to freak out on me like that on the freeway.

Sounds like they might try replacing some sensors and computers. The shop forman had asked if I noticed any leaking acid when I changed the battery. I said that I had actually looked for it, but did not see any.

They've had the car for a day, still no word. I hope they get it done this week. The really bad news is that my loner car is a 2002 4-door Chevy crap-o-lier. Talk about a tin can!
:eyerole

 

[atmmac]

That sucks you should makem give you a better car!

 

[AZMike]

Well, got a call from the dealership yesterday. They've replaced a coupld of steering sensors and the active handling module itself. I guess they finally found a short in the computer.

Also, they're replacing the fuel sending uinit's/modules. They replaced the tanks last time, but the guage still reads randomly when below 1/4 tank.

Hopefully this will finally fix both of these problems.

 

[Owin]

Ah isn't technology wonderful? I thought things were supposed to get better as technology gets better, obviously not. Give me a C1/C2 any day! Simple technology, no fancy gizmos.

I know this doesn't help but my 0.02 worth.

 

[DRTH VTR]

TECHNOLOGY

I think that we sometimes have too little respect for the technology in modern automobiles. Do you remember what car exhaust used to smell like? Without computer controls, clean burning engines (and high output engines) would not be possible. When Corvette had a 283CI engine that put out 283HP (gross), it was trumpeted as a big deal. My current 'vette puts out 405HP (net, maybe more like 480 gross) from 350CI. It burns cleanly and puts out well under 10% (1%?) of the pollutants that those classic carbuerated cars do. I have active handling, anti-lock brakes, improved handling, way better tires, etc, etc. I think that the 1960's was not the golden age of automobiles. Today is the golden age of automobiles. My Z06 is as fast as any production Corvette ever made. It also gets 28MPG on the freeway. What did those old big block carbuerated cars get? 12MPG?

I also remember when I had to do a tune-up on my car every 12,000 miles, replace the tires in less than 20,000 miles, repack wheel bearings, and needing to overhaul an engine at 100,000 miles. I am glad for today's technology, as cars are better than they have ever been.

Just one guy's opinion.

 

[AZMike]

Well, I'm on both sides of the fence on the technology issue.

My other vehicle is a 73 Ford Bronco. Of course, that is used for a completely different purpose than the Vette. I can practically dissassemble the whole thing with 2 socket wrenches, a pair of pliers and a couple fo screwdrivers. This comes in real handy on the trail - when I have to do an emergency repair, it's where NO tow truck can go. Being 30 years old though, I've had parts fall off and go completely un-noticed for several miles. I'm still needing to get part of the suspension welded back on from 2 months ago! It's simple, but effective - no computers telling me or the motor what to do. I would not even consider driving a newer off-road vehicle to a very remote place unless I was in a group. They're just too hard to fix when something goes wrong.

On the bad side, it gets about 10mpg on the highway (part of that is the low gears), reeks to high heaven of gas fumes, and isn't always the best driving vehicle (OK, I have to wrestle it to keep it between the lines sometimes). I even have to swap carburators every year to pass emissions (my off-roading carb had to have racing jets to get enough gas down the engine's throat). Sometime the brakes are anti-lock, but it's not quite the same way you're thinking. Usually a trip to NAPA for a set of loaded calipers and $70 will fix that problem.

My main problem is that when the computers themsevles start causing more problems than they're solving. I work in technology and it never ceases to amaze me at what people will put up with. I've seen systems go in that double pople's workloads. This is not the purpose of technology. It should make your life (or driving) easier and more enjoyable.

I think a lot of companies - especially car companies - are putting technology in just for the sake of technology. The Active handling in the Vette is just one example - it basically isolates the driver from the real driving experience. Kinda takes the fun out of it when you know the computer will just save your butt when you take a corner too fast.

Some of the technology is great - yes, motors are more powerful and reliable than before. I even intend on going to fuel injection once I blow the current motor in the Bronco (It will happen, it's jsut a matter of time I'm sure).

Other technology is just overkill - do we really need refigereators and loos with internet access, web browsers and cameras in our mobile phones or a toaster that is controlled by a computer chip?

It's just another case of engineers going overboard with gadgets rather than actually listening to what the customer wants.

 

[Owin]

Re: TECHNOLOGY

I think that we sometimes have too little respect for the technology in modern automobiles. Do you remember what car exhaust used to smell like? Without computer controls, clean burning engines (and high output engines) would not be possible. When Corvette had a 283CI engine that put out 283HP (gross), it was trumpeted as a big deal. My current 'vette puts out 405HP (net, maybe more like 480 gross) from 350CI. It burns cleanly and puts out well under 10% (1%?) of the pollutants that those classic carbuerated cars do. I have active handling, anti-lock brakes, improved handling, way better tires, etc, etc. I think that the 1960's was not the golden age of automobiles. Today is the golden age of automobiles. My Z06 is as fast as any production Corvette ever made. It also gets 28MPG on the freeway. What did those old big block carbuerated cars get? 12MPG?

I also remember when I had to do a tune-up on my car every 12,000 miles, replace the tires in less than 20,000 miles, repack wheel bearings, and needing to overhaul an engine at 100,000 miles. I am glad for today's technology, as cars are better than they have ever been.

Just one guy's opinion.

I think technology in the engine dept. is OK. It's he technology in the steering, suspension and braking I'm against. That type of technology is lethal. I work in I.T. and I know that no matter how much you test the software it will ALWAYS contain a bug somewhere, just ready to mess up your day!

The automotive world is itching to release steer-by-wire, where you do not have any control over the input to the wheels which do the steering. The only input is to the computer controling the steered wheels.

There is also the brake-by-wire system some manufactures are marketing. It decides on the amount of force to use when you brake! OK anti-lock braking is a good technology, but in some cases it actually makes you stop in a greater distance.

Just think you are driving on your favourite mountain road with 200 foot drops and the bug decides it wants to come out and play!

Don't get me wrong I'm all for technological advances in all forms. I just think we need to progress very slowly in some areas. I know aerospace technology has fly-by-wire, but these things cost millions of dollars and have multiple redundant systems. How much is you car worth?

End of rant!

 

[RedvetX2]

Pay attention to C4C5specialist - he really knows his stuff.

Also if you are going to keep this car be sure to get GMPP.

No matter what it cost you will 1. sleep better, and 2. Use it after your 3 years are up.

 

[atmmac]

I know exactly what you mean. On my impala i can and have taken the whole motor apart. It did not involve any computers or any resetting gadgets. The only thing it did involve was setting the mix and the idle. Piece of cake!

 

[AZMike]

Well, have had the car back for a week now. No more 'Service active handling' message, no more having the car try to drive itself, and the fuel guages seem to read accurately when below 1/4 tank. They even managed to silence the door rattle I've been chasing for so long.

Looks like it's a case of the squeky wheel gets the grease. Too bad it took them 4 tries to finally get it right.

So, the laundy list:
- Several updates for both the Active handling and fuel computers.
- New gas tanks
- New fuel level sensors
- New steering wheel sensor
- New active handling computer

Glad it was under warantee - that could not have been cheap! I'm just glad to have it back after a week of driving the tin can loaner around!

Anyone have a good source for the extended warantees?

 

[hawaii-5-lo]

I know exactly what you mean. On my impala i can and have taken the whole motor apart. It did not involve any computers or any resetting gadgets. The only thing it did involve was setting the mix and the idle. Piece of cake!

it takes me 20 min to remove the intake manifold and fuel rails.10 for valve covers.id say 30 to 45 to remove heads,water pump etc...this motor is one of the easiest ive ever worked on.i have an auto-tap scanner from checker auto,tells you what every sensor is doing,even tells about tranny and stuff too.tells air/fuel,i like porting things and this tells me how i have done.in my opinion thats better than 3 guys standing in the drive way looking at a carberated motor saying,"cant figure out way its running so crappy"start with the ignition system and keep on trouble shooting.or hook up the scanner,two minutes later its telling you whats wrong.then either fix it your self or pop out the extended warrenty(i have one).if you dont like active handling,turn it off.the throttle is fly-by wire and is a redundant system,ever heard of one totally failing?the girlfriend and i had a 77'for 10 years.it always needed some kind of tinkering at the track,street,cold weather etc... give me computer controlled any day.
just my .02 cents.a steering knuckle can break just as easy as a sensor,except a broken sensor wont stop you from turning the wheels.
Todd.

 

[yellow_2002_germany]

AZ Mike -- I would start by talking to your dealer about the GM Protection Plan. It might cost more than others but it does have the plus of being honored at any Chevy dealership. It's good to 7 years - 75,000 miles with a $100 deductible I think.

 

[RedvetX2]

Glad to hear they fixed your problems. As to warranty I mentioned GMPP in an earlier post. I strongly suggest you look into this if you plan to keep the car beyond the 3yr/36,000 that GM gives.

It MUST be done BEFORE you reach the 3 year in-service date.
Take the least amount of miles and the longest time you can get based on what you think you will drive the car during the extended warranty time.

I suggest 84 months(7years)/50k with 100.00 deduct.
If you sell the car you cancel the warrnaty and get a rebate.
GM is not going to go out of business soon so you are protected.
It is good ANYWHERE in the USA. ETC ETC ETC

I have used mine to death. They hate to see me coming.

Oh and don't forget to shop the price. The dealers have just about 30% margin from the list price. It is worth about 100.00 over cost(max) to write the paperwork.

Good luck

 

[hawaii-5-lo]

i agree with Redvetx2.
it will pay for itself the first time.control pods on the doors,computers etc...can add up really fast.i got the warrenty when i bought mine,never needed it yet,
Todd.