This is a new problem that just started happening to my 2001 monte SS. Every once in a while when I press the gas my traction control comes active for no reason and the car doesn't move. Anybody know whats happening?

 

Yeah. It's most likely a sensor starting to go bad in one of the wheel assembly hubs.

My recommendation is if you can get a code read from it, try that. If the code isn't popping yet, Wait for it to start to (you'll have service traction system lights + ABS OFF lights) and then pin-point which hub you need to replace.

Very common unfortunately. $~80-150 do it yourself, ~$350-450 from a dealership.

Most of the time here is what is happening. There are speed sensors in your wheel hub assemblies, and sometimes when they start to go bad while driving they will send a signal to your car saying that one tire is spinning 0 times, while all the others are spinning at their current rate. This throws the computer off and trips your traction control to try to correct the problem. Since the Trac activates and nothing helps, it just shuts it's self off and considers it a problem. The hub assemblies are sealed for moisture reasons, and they hold everything from sensors to wheel bearings. So it sucks that when a bearing/sensor goes bad you have to replace the whole thing.

Though you could just be lucky and have a wire going bad, but 9 times out of 10 it will be the assembly.

 

Cool man, thanks for the great info.

If I just turn off traction control, is that OK?

 

I would leave it on until the code gets thrown so you can find out what is wrong and fix it.

You aren't going to hurt the car, but if you keep driving with the Trac On and let it get "worse" you can get it fixed before the bad weather when you'll need your traction.

 

Looks like its slowly getting worse. Since I don't have tools and I'm not really a car guy, should I take it to the dealer or just any old mechanic shop?

 

Whichever you feel more comfortable with honestly. I usually take my car to a GM Certified mechanic, whether it's at a dealer or not.

Once they find out which it is, ask for an estimate. and get the work done as you see fit. I had that problem and I just waited until near winter before I fixed it. Saved up some money and such first. Didn't need a working traction control in the summer :P

 

Very true.

I'm thinking about just trading in the monte for the new car because something tells me this is just the beginning of the problems with this car.

 

that's not necessarily true.

Keep in mind though that it IS an EIGHT year old car.

Look at mine... it's older than yours, and have very high mileage, but she still drives HARD and everyone still loves it. It's hard to find a car that will last a long time and still look damn good.

 

Is this the part I need for the front two?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/00-CH...#ht_3526wt_941


Thanks!

 

Yes, however you can find them cheaper and only get one if you get the code read and figure out which assembly needs to be replaced.

If you go on clubgp.com/newforum or 3800pro.com in the classifieds you can sometimes find one for $30 (I found a couple today actually, but I don't have the time to link them)