Chevy Truck ABS Problems / Unwanted ABS Activation

In this video I bring you along as I diagnose a 2007 Chevy Classic 4x4 that has some unwanted ABS activation. Or what is considered ABS activation during a non-ABS stop. Please refer to your service manual for the proper repair procedure for your vehicle.

[@AUTOREPAIRGUIDE]

As a professional mechanic, i love watching your videos. Keep them coming!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Techmisfire Cool thanks

[@NoMadMediaProductions]

You two are among my top favorites

[@j.o.a.t9718]

Always appreciate you taking time out of your busy day to inform your viewers your tips and tricks. Our Ford Edge is doing the same and I found this video.

[@jayhay1237]

Thanks Eric for sharing your valuable time to make these type of videos. I really appreciate your rare level of professionalism and flair for technique and explanations. I had a related, but opposite problem, with our 2007 mustang. Two years ago, we had a wicked birch of a winter and the traction control got over worked. It completely wore out the left rear brake pads and rotor. I checked all the speed sensor components the best I could before replacing the brake parts. Since then, I have been leery of the problem because I was not been able to find the root cause. But now I can perform your low speed driving test the next opportunity that I have...

[@khrisallen702]

Wish I could find a guy like this , to take my trucks to ! Really like this !

[@oxbowhomeandgardenservices2093]

I had the ABS activation at walking speed problem with a little Hyundai Accent diesel hatchback and your video helped sort it out. Thanks for a very informative video.

[@user-dx9vd8fg7u]

I wish you’d do a wheel bearing video because it seems your videos are always the most knowledgeable and accurate.

[@TheNiekerk]

I agree with your machinist friend. That is a very cool idea he has. Most of the new or replacement bearings and CV joints only have a small dab of grease. On my vehicles I like to remove the zz bearings and use bearings with the rubber seal. Preferably Timken. Before install, I remove the seals and pack them full of wheelbearing grease. I like Fuchs Superluplex, also excellent for CV joints. Until today, I never had a bearing or CV fail on me. One vehicle is a Toyota Vigo/Hilux with 400 000km with no issues but sold it recently. Like your videos and are very educating. Thank you my friend.

[@michaelcammarota4261]

You are the man thank you so much for putting this video. I was told many different things but no one told me it could be an ABS sensor. Diagnosed my truck exactly how you said. The wheel turned to the right about a quarter turn. Which makes perfect sense because I just replaced the right club when I put a lift on my truck three months ago. Probably should have done both. Thank you so much though

[@williamdaniel6802]

Once again, your video has added to my knowledge base. Keep them coming.

[@darphbobo4971]

After cracking the wall at home, this video as answered all my questions. top man.

[@CountrysideStrong]

Awesome, helped me big time. I'm on my 2nd truck with this. 1st truck 05 GMC 1500, now an 05 GMC 2500HD. I was told it's the abs box in the frame. Guess they were wrong. Thank you again!!

[@inasahrakim7928]

Great information I appreciate the service you are providing you are a gentleman and a scholar knowledge is power thank you again

[@KlausHofmockel]

Hello Eric, You commented on it being weird that the ABS pump kicks on. At least on Bosch ABS systems, The entire system performs the self test when it first notices wheel ticks after ignition on, Which is right around 5 to 6 mph. At that point the pump will kick and pressurize the reservoir and all the valves will cycle. This is the normal POST of the system. I hope this helps. I really enjoy your videos. Keep going!

[@leeatkinson8451]

Thank you for posting this video. I was having this issue and your trick worked. I had a messed up passenger sensor. Keep up the good work.

[@MrChp54]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience. Great way to determine wheel sensor failure. Your The Man ...!!! Chris

[@brandonelliott2237]

Just saw this video for the first time the other day. Great explanation of diagnosing this common and annoying problem with chevy/gmc pickups. Saved me a bunch of money by being able to figure out the problem and replace a faulty sensor rather than have the dealer charge me an arm and a leg for a DIY sort of fix. Thanks !!!

[@jackiefreeman8239]

Great review! Thanks for the steering wheel tip and the wheel bearing tip, that gave me an idea!

[@johnwiseman1126]

I've got the same problem with my 2007 Silverado classic your video help me alot going to try to fix it this way

[@TheRykpaalt]

Did yours activate only when stopping at slow speed? In my case, when parking and turning right.

[@joelss94]

My truck is 2007 nnbs. I bought new wheel speed sensor but still light on abs and brake. I drive 45 to 60 mph will light on.

[@wyattoneable]

As a non professional mechanic I sure enjoy these videos! It's nice to have records from regular customers. Gezzz, I can't get over how much vehicles rust up there.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+wyattoneable Rust city man!

[@chrisslaughter5552]

@@SouthMainAuto I've replaced everything in my Silverado after a brake line started leaking I can't get it to stop dragging I've tried everything

[@SushiPac]

Holy cow!!! The car looks great from the outside. But once you lift it up and look underneath it's super rusted\ corroded. That's crazy I'm blessed to be here in California. I'll I have to worry about it rounded off bolts from previous people working on the cars. Great video Eric I love when you bring out the scan tool and show us what it's doing and what it's suppose to be doing but isn't. Thanks again for taking the time to make the video. Best wishes

[@SouthMainAuto]

Paul Morales Ahhh rust... welcome to NY!

[@glenohara6563]

That grease adapter is a very cleaver idea. Here in Oz we have the same problem with hub unit failures, and like your engineer mate have concluded that it is from lack of lubrication. The grease used is a white very thick grease that does not seem to do the job, but often fails out of warranty. When these sealed hubs first came out I remember them explaining to us tradesmen that these will out last a greasable bearing as we introduce contaminants when we clean and regrease them. Not what I have found. Love your vids, keep em coming.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey Glen O'Hara , If time allows I plan on popping some "bad bearings" apart as they come in to see if in deed they are dry. A little bit of experimenting.

[@natashagoushey9149]

Eric, had a 2007 Silverado come in today with a grinding brake pedal, truck stopped fine at low speeds, but pulled left under high speed. Pulled up abs data, RF speed sensor read 6mph when truck was moving at 10mph. Pulled out the Modis labscope, compared LF and RF signals, same min/max voltage, proper ABS module supply voltage with clean signals. Spun both wheels by hand as fast as I could and measured frequency of ten peak to peak waves (not super accurate I know) LF read about 5.5hz, RF read about 4.4hz. Scratched my head for a second because the customer had recently replaced all front brake components and hub assemblies. Immediately started attacking the abs ring inside RF hub, and discovered the teeth would rotate slightly when hub was rotating. MOOG manufacturing error. Warrantied hub fixed the problem.

[@gumpokiegp6259]

Oh wow that is so true. I grease my front hub bearings that way every time I do a brake job. 25 years old and still going.if you can get contact info that setup is perfect and easier than how I do it. Thank you for all your time and speaking clearly. God Bless You 🤠

[@williamdeford292]

Thanks for the tip on letting go of the wheel to see which side is the problem! Confirmed mine was the right side and replaced it...all good now.

[@49Fordproject]

Nice advice on the "quick n dirty" thank you!

[@williamclayton4570]

Love your content. Always enjoy your expertise. You make it look easy

[@ledellmason9340]

Great video just what I was searching for, thanks again

[@thomasbartlett6771]

I've had very good luck by simply removing both front wheel sensors and cleaning the grease and dirt off the ends, then putting them back in every 3 or 4 years using stainless hex screws when they begin to act up.!! This is on my 1997 GMC K1500 suburban still running strong in Northern Vermont. Thanks for posting...

[@michaelherbert8213]

Oh yeah, great video, thanks for sharing. As far as brands go, for my personal vehicles I use oem. At work we use Moog. But before I even think about the job, I stick my meter on the new one out of the box. I've seen a lot of DOA's. Its like the parts guy takes the return and then tries to sell it again.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Lol yeah we get that a lot to. It is frustrating...

[@SuperJamesmichael]

Enjoyed the video, I'm a DIY not a mechanic, was helpful, I own a 03 suburban and having ABS problems. Replaced the speed sensor on front both sides, still having the pulling to one side when stop. And now have to dig deeper.

[@jackpinesavage1628]

I appreciate this information. My 2011 Chevy 1500 is doing the same thing. I replaced the OEM hubs with Timken hubs, once it had about 100.000 miles on it. Now I know this problem is probably the speed sensors not working. I'll try that technique you used with the slow speed test.

[@hammer8809]

Sweet, at last I think I have found my problem. I have a 2010 VE Holden Commodore which over in the U.S. I think you rebrand as Pontiac with this exact problem. Now I know where to start, great video thanks heaps Eric 👌.

[@foodskewed9197]

I bought one, I’ve never used it. 😂😂😂😂 I’m going back to the beginning and watching old sma videos

[@marshalllawson6704]

Wish you were in California brother you seem to be a very knowledgeable honest mechanic those are very hard to come by where I'm from thank you for the video

[@ThecardoctorTV]

Video #100 awesome!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Soon... this was 99

[@n3qxc]

Thank you so very much for producing this video. You have saved me tons of hours of troubleshooting and tons of $.... after watching this video... I pulled the new sensors that I just put it and cleaned completely around the mounting hole and I can now safely drive my truck. Thank you Thank you Thank you...! I have a 2001 Silverado and I cant see live data on my ABS system... I was about to rig up my dual trace o-scope to both sensors to try and figure out which one was failing...

[@junglejim13660]

Glad I watched the video to the end. I have my 97 Olds Cutlass Supreme with no ABS because of these same issues with salt-I'm near Syracuse. GM cuts the cost of the vehicles knowing they will recoup the money by selling more parts. I ran into this problem with my 2003 Grand Prix. Good troubleshooting technique with the steering wheel-forgot that one.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey were not that far apart then :) I was wondering how many people knew the steering wheel trick..

[@hochhaul]

Honda does the same thing with their parts these days. 2010 Honda Accord goes through brake parts every 20-30k miles.

[@CubasAutomotive]

Those GMs made me a couple dollars over the years.... and thanks to Danner, I think he was the one that cut my diag time down. I can't wait to hop on fleets again. Soon... soon.... Top notch vid. Doing a little binge watching here. 👍😅😅

[@GNX157]

That grease fitting idea makes total sense to me. I'd buy one too if I had an affected vehicle. If the right hydrophobic grease is used, the water salt mix will never get in there. I know for a fact they use a minimum amount of grease so making sure the cavity is full will go a long way to making these bearings last. If people know the salt corrosion is so bad, why don't they power wash the undercarriage at the end of the winter season and remove all for wheels and power wash the suspensions as well? Easily done when they switch off the snow tires.

[@kellismith4329]

It only piles up grease into the reluctor, the bearings inside the hub are sealed bearings, no way to grease. Give me back my spindles and tapered roller bearings, and pass on the abs

[@shelleytrinh8861]

we'll try it thanks Eric!!

[@williamrobinson5525]

Thanks. Didn’t know about that test. It helped a lot.

[@christiantomlin4040]

Man this is good stuff. THANKS! I recently changed the RF speed sensor on my 2006 Silverado due to a random ABS light. I can't recall the exact code but it was RF circuit related. Swapped the sensor with an AC Delco unit. (Could have been a Delco knockoff?) ABS light was now off and all seemed good. Took it for a drive and the ABS would activate at every slow stop. This was a new issue. Put my MAC OTC Genesys clone into live data stream and you could see the NEW RF speed sensor drop out every time. I either had junk new sensor (Made in mainland China) or an issue with the bearing. I ended up changing the whole hub and it fixed it. PS the steering wheel test was dead on correct as well.

[@ShiversRSS]

Nice trick. I'll have to add that to my arsenal. Great channel!

[@SouthMainAuto]

I figured most people knew this any how but still felt like sharing. Glad it helped :)

[@ta65mail]

Thank you for the insightful video. Very helpful.

[@rafaelmolina4415]

Wow!! Had the same problem.. some scary ride when the brake pump started vibrating like if it had air in the brakes... but i got it fixed thanks to your video...

[@SouthMainAuto]

Rafael Molina YW

[@matthewsmith382]

Rafael Molina what did it end up being? I have the exact thing happening and I don't want to go through everything. Thanks in advance

[@spe7779]

Eric thanks for the help with taking care of my GMC ABS problem. sp in Colorado

[@QQTrick1QQ]

Thanks for the video, it will help many for years to come! I wonder if a coat of undercoating will prolong the inevitable.

[@wilburarmstrong2443]

Thx Mac, for the steering wheel turn trick.

[@ThecardoctorTV]

Also I have good luck with moog or national brands and I do a ton of them and only a couple twice.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Hey Dr.D, You guys use salt up there in the frozen tundra?

[@ThecardoctorTV]

No

[@stephenmaurer7008]

Add road salt to the mix.... prepare to heat parts with a touch and do some "knuckle busting"!!

[@rsawyer05]

Eric, Great video. I enjoy learning about auto repair. I've worked on a lot of different vehicles over the years and enjoy the detail you put in your videos. I know there are a lot of smart people on here that work on vehicles for a living but I'm sure there is just as many that don't. I find myself wanting to say 1, 2 Bar B Q! when I fix stuff now. lol Anyway, Great videos.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+rsawyer05 Haha that's right "1, 2 Bar B Q" 3, 4 out the door!

[@rickbrodston1800]

Replaced my front hubs and was wondering how they sealed (greased) them ...was worried i could not grease them. Neat tool, i would by one... Greetings from Montana ... you saved my #**#€ many times love yer show.

[@bigstuff52]

God the underside of the truck looks like mine-Sucks to live in the snow and salt-Always learning something from your vids-Thanks

[@Krillekris]

I learned something new this time as well, thanks :-)

[@stephengoga6875]

great tip on looking at the steering wheel while coming up to a stop sign

[@napieraustin]

4:05 very good and easy way to find out which side is out. Thanks

[@Jerseyhighlander]

When I change the hub bearings on my 2007 GMC Sierra 2500HD, I went straight to SKF bearings, Hecho en Germany... Couldn't be happier. Well, I would have been ecstatic if they had grease zerks on them to make the bearing last longer, but you can pull that speed sensor and put a couple squirts of grease in through there with a needle fitting on the grease gun.

[@rustymccumbee1931]

Thanks great video helped me out a great deal!

[@johnkay8778]

that grease fittingb is the coolest ...Especially when the hub in that truck only lasted 2 years

[@wellingtonbueno4810]

Excellent tip on slow moving test

[@TCS86]

Bearings are now IMMORTAL!!!

[@brianmason1414]

ALL your vids are helpful and informative in some way or another!!

[@davidgpo223]

The Titanic had less corrosion than that truck! Another great video Eric!

[@SouthMainAuto]

Salt is a thing of beauty huh

[@davidsullivan4072]

The Titanic was only a few days old

[@JodBronson]

Thank you for the Knowledge :)

[@rsscarr]

Everytime I have a problem with my suburban I look it up on KZbin and click the first relevant video. It's always your videos btw lol. I don't know if you're a really good mechanic or you're bad luck for my truck lmao. Just kidding

[@VWbugman]

It worked great. Truck went to the right so going to change the left hub. Thank again.

[@SouthMainAuto]

+JOHN WALTER 1 2 BBQ!

[@spelunkerd]

So that grease nipple mounts in the spot where the speed sensor fits? Doesn't all that extra grease interfere with the signal?

[@consaka1]

I wish he had given us the napa part numbers but I suspect it is a really light grease and no it would not interfere with the signal at all. Grease does not conduct electricity or magnetism. As in it is not magnetic or metallic. If it was packed clear to the top tight it might add some resistance to turning, especially when cold but it would be pretty minimal in a light weight viscosity grease.

[@bikuta29]

Great video bro!!

[@georgeheri895]

Good vid, here's one for you , I replaced both hubs on an 06 Silverado a few years back. One hub from China one from Israel. the owner bought it new and they were never changed prior to when I did it. You got to love it. Be American, Buy American.

[@SouthMainAuto]

Oh yeah ya gotta love it. Buying American is almost a thing of the past it seems. It is really really sad to see the direction all these companies are going. This world is driven by greed and money.

[@anthonybeaudry6066]

South Main Auto Repair Hey eric, 99 chev suburban had 220,000 miles on it before replacing the front wheel bearings, unreal ahh.

[@consaka1]

Actually had something similar happen on my '97 blazer. I did some diagnostics and discovered the speed sensor in the transmission was going bad. Big clue was when the ABS motor came on the speedometer went wonky. Changed the sensor and everything works again.

[@obscur156]

That grease fitting looks cool,is this selling online Eric ? Where we can buy this ? Thanks for sharing all your video, i am a fan.Best regards.

[@VWbugman]

Hey, I'm Subscriber #22,193, an thumbs up #967. Thanks for your video. That damn pump on my GMC Sierra is driving me crazy. Going to give your method a try and see what the stop sign test tells me. And yes I did watch the whole video an seen the mans invention pending. lol

[@user-gi5dl9ex8l]

Great video . Thanks!

[@MrRenoman2011]

thanks for the great Video mine does that coming to a stop and scares the crap out of ya.

[@demnye2016]

Hi Eric, I appreciate your work ethics one of the best I have seen on youtube. All the blessings to you and your family. I'm just wondering how much that grease fitting thingy that the retired guy made cost?

[@waydewynn4191]

When I greased my wheel bearings i just took a grease zerk held it in there and pumped away and it worked fine.

[@the02chevyman]

YOU ARE AWESOMEE MANN!!! GREAT VIDEO!! SUBSCRIBED

[@SouthMainAuto]

devon fowler WHOOOAAA That's a lot of caps lock lol

[@SoCalWatcher]

Hello and thanks for the fantastic video. I have a 2003 GMC Sierra, and the ABS light is on. Your last test with the braking and steering wheel was the tell tail sign for me as my truck at times pulls to the left. What gets me is that I just changed the hub last month on the right side. Thinking that it wasn't the new hub, I checked the speed sensor cable for wear. Having found some, I replaced the cable which didn't work. Then I search videos and thought it might be the ground for the ECBM. I cleaned ground real well, and that didn't work either, the light continues to be on. Now I'm about ready to change the hub out myself as I'm running out of ideas. Oh and I cleaned the speed sensor connection plug on top of the frame, that didn't work either. Perhaps you might have some additional comments or suggestions for me. Lastly, the truck doesn't pull all of the time, has only done it two times the past two days. Thanks for the very well done video, and I'm now subscribed to your channel....... Don/Southern Cal

[@luisrod4710]

Thanks for the video I believe this information is going to help me in the future. What scanner are you using?

[@eugenescalzi8670]

cool mechanic like your style!!

[@littleteethkeith]

I never had any problem with mine until GMC performed the speed wheel sensor recall.

[@MrTimdtoolman1]

Great video! I just replaced the hub on my 2011 Silverado with 72000 miles, the dealer wanted $800 to do the job, yea rite. Where could I get one of those cool little greasing fittings? Keep up the great videos and have a great weekend.

[@allanbrogdon7453]

Needed to stop fast due to sun in my eyes and looking down as traffic started then stopped.At about 5 mph the brakes got hard and my 99 Yukon kept rolling into a lady's car.My fault.I remembered my wife's astro van did the same.I tried another quick stop and it kept going.I removed the abs fuse and i can lock the brakes up now.Much better!

[@hoodbillyzgaragehoodbillyz3307]

Great vid great info great mechanic = new subscribed mechanic

[@1013redoak]

I'm surprised you would warrant repairs that old! Must be a great customer!

[@ronaldshelton8029]

Doesn't matter how old the recall is fellar, if it's a legitimate factory defect it should be honored no matter how many years have passed. I'll bet if it was your vehicle you'd be on top of GM getting it fixed.... people who have negative smart-ass comments should keep it to themselves...good video btw

[@d.a.2742]

The classic moo sound ... I had the same issue and moo sound became more apparent ....I did that test as well so found that both needed replaced ... Picked up a pair of hubs from Detroit axle and fixed the issue .....2007 trailblazer

[@jasonritchie6827]

....i was told by an old mechanic one to always re grease unit bearings so i took apart a couple of brand new ones and found one fully pack with greese, the other just a tiny amount in ! more assembly lube than greese . now i always check them .

[@bowwiz]

watched from Bryan,tx

[@Jonathan11225]

i had the same problem on a 01 tahoe i usally check the voltage while turning the wheel by hand it has to be around 300 -400 Mv . On that Tahoe,i was barely getting 150 mv on the right side. i haven't replace the whole assembly thought i was able to take the sensor off and replace it, and and yea salt suck,they use plenty of it in the winter time here in Quebec, Canada. just subscride to your channel and i loving itkeep on going man !

[@SouthMainAuto]

Jonathan Lessard Hey good job that is another way you can find the fault pretty quick :)

[@robertoflores103]

Thanks you for this video

[@8953147]

Here in KY they spray salt when it snows. I do my best to spray fresh water on the underside of my vehicles during the winter. When I was in the Navy, they would routinely spray fresh water on the jets after flight, to remove the salt in order to preserve the metal skin. It works!!

[@SouthMainAuto]

jake ounce hmmm that is cool. Here it gets so cold it is hard to rinse off the salt really. Car washes are bombarded all winter long on the nice days.

[@8953147]

South Main Auto Repair I know what you mean, I lived in Conn for 2 yrs...burr

[@davidsullivan4072]

They now spray liquid calcium chloride down it gets into every crack and crease

[@frugalprepper]

Wooah. GM Hubs lasting for ever? That's our bread and butter. That's 90% of my side work man! We need to buy out that patent and bury it!

[@tightsbk]

excellent video

[@robertorbani4086]

great info thanks!

[@pablovidales8489]

Nice job thank you

[@victormelendez1696]

Very helpful vids keep up the good work! I have a 05 1500hd 4x2, my brakes work for the most part just when it hits between 5 to 10 mph as your stopping the brake pedal shakes and there’s a light pull to the right. I didn’t hear any mention of the pedal shaking in your video..is that common? And like you said would it be the left front sensor that’s out since it pulls to the right? And also the abs light turns on at times when I turn the steering wheel all the way to one side. Any advice you could give me?

[@nelsondelaine7078]

good video great info.

[@jamesgazdag876]

video helped me alot

[@alb12345672]

The Advance moog units used to come from an OEM supplier in Korea, They were pretty good quality. Good to know they are from China. I bet lots of China parts go on cars in the factory now. I always try to get timken or SKF. The timken bearings for the ford(and other) solid rear axles are still made in the US

[@charc.7819]

Very nice!!

[@arnoldbaclig7709]

I was at stop sign and its green lights a i push the gas pedal running about 5 mph and its pulling. lights up the abs looks like i got same problem i got 2004 suburban..so meaning i need too changes 2 wheel bearing.... eric thanks for the vedeo 🤗🤗🤗🤗