• If you currently own, previously owned or want to own an Avalanche, we welcome you to become a member today. Membership is FREE, register now!

Stabilitrak errors

erhicks

New Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2012
Messages
4
Anyone have any idea where to start? My Stabilitrak light has been coming on constantly for about a month. Traction control turned off, Stabilitrak Disabled, brake light on, no codes set. Scanning the forums I found that I had two pcv hoses cracked so I replaced them. Didn’t help so I replaced all four wheel speed sensors. Still didn’t help. Light will come on even sitting still. Any suggestions on where I should look?
 
Scan with a tool capable of reading ABS / SRS codes. The standard P codes will not cut it.
Here is an example.
 
Issue appears to be fixed. Based on everything I have read on the forums, there are a lot of things that can cause the Stabilitrak error with no apparent rhyme or reason. People have reported that their fix was a variety of things including spark plugs, spark plug wires, throttle body, MAF sensor, brake light switch, fuse #9, and PCV leaks. The horror stories are that many people spent upwards of $1000 or more at the dealership with no resolution. I was a mechanic for 21 years but changed careers in 1989, well before this system was put into place. However, I decided to tackle this problem anyway. I have an OBD2 scanner but there are no codes set and nothing beyond normal on the reading. I checked for vacuum leaks and found two cracked PCV hoses but that did not fix the error. After consulting with someone else and the lack of troubleshooting guidance and the fact that the truck has 190,000 mile on it, I thought the next logical step was to replace the wheel speed sensors. Almost $300 later the issue still exists.

I posted my dilemma on the Avalanche Fan Club forum and someone responded that I needed a scanner that will read the ABS system. I had no idea that there was a different scanner to read more information. Instead of buying a scanner, I went to my local Auto Zone and they scanned my system and found there was an ABS code #C0267 - “Low Brake Fluid”. Really? The brake reservoir was a little over half full. On a normal system that is perfectly OK. You only need the fluid in the reservoir to fill the space in the calipers as the pads wear. Anyway, I topped off the master cylinder and the error is resolved.

Bottom line: Take your truck to Auto Zone and get the ABS system scanned for codes before you start throwing parts at it.
 
I have had two incidents of the Stabili-Trak system lights; reduced engine power and check engine light. In both instances I was driving with cruise control engaged. Fortunately I did not get "stuck" as a result - simply pulled over and shut down for a few minutes. When I restarted the Stabili-Trak light was off but not the check engine….taking Thunder in next week…I have a 2010 with 79,000 miles on it…is this a common issue? thanks for any insights!
 
Do not take it in just yet. Before you take it to the dealer and let them start throwing parts at it go to an Auto Zone. They will check for codes but most importantly they will check for codes in your ABS system. It may be a simple fix where you don’t need the dealer. I had this problem where the Stabilitrak and Brake lights would come on and start dinging constantly during a vacation trip from Phoenix to Sacramento and back. Based on these forums I checked all sorts of things. Actually fould two cracked PCV hoses but didn’t fix the issue. The ABS code indicated that I was low on brake fluid. Even though it was still just over half full I topped it off. I have had no further issues in the past month.
 
You have a great strategy - I will head there tomorrow and post the results…ironically the chevy garage I booked until Feb 2 - I made the appointment last week when I had the first episode with StabiliTrak and almost cancelled it - but I had another one this morning on the Indiana Toll road…,so in a wy I'm glad I still have the appointment and now your advice - so we will see…curve ball question for you and/or anyone…AFM - doers every avalanche have it - I have a 2010 LTZ - I really don't see any controls for it in terms of disabling it etc.
 
I don’t know if it is on everything but mine is a 5.3 with AFM and it has 190,000 miles with no issues on that system at all. Love the highway mileage with it. We have been on two 30-day road trips across the country with no issues until the Stabilitrak issue came up and that was fixed by toping off the master cylinder.
 
You have a great strategy - I will head there tomorrow and post the results…ironically the chevy garage I booked until Feb 2 - I made the appointment last week when I had the first episode with StabiliTrak and almost cancelled it - but I had another one this morning on the Indiana Toll road…,so in a wy I'm glad I still have the appointment and now your advice - so we will see…curve ball question for you and/or anyone…AFM - doers every avalanche have it - I have a 2010 LTZ - I really don't see any controls for it in terms of disabling it etc.
No AFM on first gen AVs (2002-2006) but is on all second gen AVs (2007-2013) . You can find info in your owner's manual, if you don't have one you can read the PDF version in the resources section on this website, FYI.
 
Building on this thread for others.

With this condition, others should check the brake fluid level if a diagnostic does not report error codes. I had the Traction Control and Brake DIC warning on my 2007 Tahoe which showed no error codes. I added brake fluid to the reservoir and the warnings stopped, but returned a short time later and I discovered that the fluid level was down. It turned out that the brake line at rear axle had a small leak. I had the repair shop replace the rear differential within the last year, and apparently the routing of the right side brake line during the repair (was just aft of the differential axle) was chafing on a bolt from the hardpan suspension when the rear end bounced. The chafing wore a hole in the brake line which, aside from leaking, sprayed and bubbled the paint on one of my new Arnott air shocks. The repair shop replaced the brake line for no charge, acknowledging that it was likely an issue with the original rear differential repair. Problem solved.

—-t
 
Last edited:
My avalanche throws the stupid abs, stabilitrak lights about every time anything goes wrong.
It's supposed to light up every time traction, engine power, or torque #'s look wrong in the ecu.
I believe I saw traction control & abs/stabilitrak message intermittently or solid with about every time something went wrong.
Recently I've seen it intermittently slowing down as p1 818 = drive without ratio.
And temperature intermittent function. Bought internal parts & pan.
Not torque converter as I suspected along with a couple mechanics thoughts.
Ground wire points very important to these trucks & how computer finds problems. If grounds not good will send you for a costly part exchange cycle till grounds clean & solid.
 
Back
Top