Service Active Handling message

[pheick]

My wife and I took our 03 ZO6 out for a short drive this morning and after driving around town for about 20 minutes the Service Active Handling warning came on. I pulled over and turned the engine off and after waiting for 15-20 seconds restarted the engine and the warning was gone. We made a quick stop at the store and headed for home and 10 minutes later the Service Active Handling warning came on again. Went straight home and parked it in the garage. I recently downloaded the IPC codes and instructions so I decided to check out the diagnostic trouble codes. It displayed 28TCS C1288H – I know TCS is Traction Control System ABS and the C is for Current – any ideas on the rest of code (1288H) and what the problem might be? Our car only has 1690 miles. I guess I’ll schedule a check-up with the local Chevrolet dealer this week. Thanks in advance.
Phil Heick

 

[c4c5specialist]

HI there,
The code is for a steering wheel position sensor, which may not have syncronized correctly. If you ever see 'Service active handling', every time you drive, I would have it checked.
Your Active Handling warming up, is a normal condition from time to time, and can be disregarded.
This is simply telling you that your Active handling system is setting up the correct readings, so that it knows what straight ahead is on the steering wheel.
I would try something first.
Start the car, and cycle the steering wheel from lock to lock about 50 times.
Then, see if you have the code again, as it is possible there may be a little too much lubricant on the steering wheel position sensor, which may be creating the condition.
Please keep us posted.
All thebest, c4c5

 

[AZMike]

I just had the same issue with mine - took the dealer 4 trys to resolve it. I was getting the 1288 code as well. Originally, they applied a software update to the ABS computer. That didn't work.

On the 2nd try, they re-set (kinda like re-booting windoes, I assume) the ABS and TCS computers, but that didn't do the trick either.

The third try, they re-calibrated everything and that made it much worse - the car tried to stop itself randomly a couple of times.

On the 4th pass, they replaced the steering wheel sensor and the TCS computer all together, and that seems to have fixed the problem.

Luckily, all of this was under warantee.

You may have to take it in a few times, but they should get it right eventually. The most frustrating part was being told that they test-drove the car fine and then having the problem happen 1/4 mile from the dealership again.

 

[pheick]

c4c5specialist - I took your advice and followed your instructions - worked perfect. We took the car out yesterday and again today and no obnoxious warnings.
Thanks for your professional advice.
Phil Heick

 

[robthefirefly]

i am having the same problem everytime i drive and now my 2002 is starting to pop day time running lights every two to three weeks. i have taken it in 5 times and the dealership in el paso is not able to fix the problem. parts changers vice technicians. i am seriously considering taking my vette back to dfw and having the techies there look at the handling system and running light problem i am experiencing...
rob flores