• Welcome to H4O! For a reduced ad experience, please login or register with the forum.

H3 Abs/ traction failed cause

ImThere

Member
Messages
14
Location
Lewisburg, TN
On My dash The abs and traction lights keep coming in and going off. When the lights start to come on the motor almost dies then once they are in the engine will run fine? Any one ever seen this? It’s like the motor just nose dives. Would the abs /traction control failed cause this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Happy Hummer

Well-Known Member
Messages
1,465
Location
Wisconsin
OTay,

The system is pretty straight forward.

There are wheel speed sensors located at each wheel that send a signal back to the abs module under the hood.
There is also a transmission control aspect which on yours would be either stand alone or imbedded in the pcm/ecm.

Just went trough this back awhile ago.
You'll need to start probing the sensors at each wheel. Lift the H3 safely. Block the wheels etc. Take one wheel/axle at a time. Remove the wheel at one corner. Locate the tether coming off the axle and unplug the sensor from the harness. Careful with the clips not to break them. You'll need to set your DVM to read ac mili volt. Attach probes to the plug. Spin the wheel slowly. You should get a small amount of signal. The faster you spin the tire the more signal. If there is NO signal you have a dead sensor. Proceed to check all wheels.
You will also need to back probe the main harness. For this you'll need a actual schematic of the ABS system. I do not have one. But I can tell you it took me 5 hours to find the culprit.
Happy testing.

With my GF's old 06 H3 we could never find the issue even after days of testing. They had to replace a main module at the dealer before it would even freakn work lol. The 08 doesn't use the same system though.
 

ImThere

Member
Messages
14
Location
Lewisburg, TN
Ok I traced the abs speed sensor to passenger front via code reader. I replaced it and the abs light “seems” good. I don’t get any light for that.

But the traction light comes on. When it does it’s like the motor / transmission has no idea what to do?

Any ideas on the traction control?

Another question I just thought of/ remembered our sun roof leaked and got the floorboard standing water. Would this have anything to do with this?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

ImThere

Member
Messages
14
Location
Lewisburg, TN
So trying to research this more I guess when the light comes in it goes in to limp mode? Idk is this possible?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Lauren

Well-Known Member
Messages
127
Location
English in Dubai, UAE
My traction light is always on at the moment.. but that's because I need to replace my steering wheel position sensor (SWPS) haha! (Had my steering box changed and the dude didn't realise the hummer steering wheel free spins..)

Anyway.. my traction light doesn't do anything to my motor at all, she runs fine.. :(

So maybe something got a little too wet when your sunroof leaked..?
 

amrg

Well-Known Member
Messages
2,317
Location
Qatar
You can reset it by using a tech 2 that displays the steering angle, setting the steering straight, disconnecting the intermediate shaft and rotating until the angle lines up.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
 

Lauren

Well-Known Member
Messages
127
Location
English in Dubai, UAE
You can reset it by using a tech 2 that displays the steering angle, setting the steering straight, disconnecting the intermediate shaft and rotating until the angle lines up.

Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk


REALLY?! I read somewhere that once it has been messed with then basically its screwed haha! I've already got another from RockAuto.. I'll see if I can find someone to reset if.. worst case scenario I'll just change the whole thing then ... Thank you amrg!
 

Jeepwalker

Well-Known Member
Messages
979
Location
WI
My H3 was nosediving when I'd come to a stop sign. Ended up being simple: the throttle body really sooted up, and I cleaned the MAF at the same time. And soldered on new (quality) battery terminals. No more nosediving. Not saying that's your problem, but something to look into. And check the PVC. (Whoops, I meant PCV! ha ha)
 

ImThere

Member
Messages
14
Location
Lewisburg, TN
I was going to take it over to read the codes but it will rev fine when not in gear but as soon as I put it in gear it’s like it will not take has and starts spitting and sputtering.
It sounds like these two things are unrelated? Idk. I do know when it’s acting up the traction control light is blinking in and off


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Jeepwalker

Well-Known Member
Messages
979
Location
WI
It's an easy 5 minute ordeal to remove the intake rubber hose and look at the throttle plate and also back behind the plate and the throttle bore for carbon and fuel deposits. If it looks all carboned and sooted up, then you need to clean it with a nylon brush (don't use steel or brass) and carb cleaner. Even if it's just a little, you'd be surprised how much of a difference a little carboning can make. It's part of routine maintenance, just about all vehicles can get that way eventually and need to be cleaned. It's a good thing to check every other year (if not yearly). A lot of people overlook it.

Also, double-check your spark plugs if you haven't in a while. You look in any factory troubleshooting guide and the first thing they say is check the basics (before assuming larger problems). Because the basics are often the problem and can mimick larger problems. Also your vehicle grounds and battery connections should be checked. Vehicles these days absolutely MUST have good battery connections due to all the electronics. I know these sound basic, but if you don't check you can't really rule them out. It might not be the ABS issue, but a bad grounnd could affect a lot of things. best of luck..
 
Last edited:

colo4x4rado

Member
Messages
18
Location
Michigan
If the light is blinking on and off then the system is engaging and causing the sluggish reaction. Have you tried holding the traction control button down for 10 seconds to "disable" (it doesnt completely disable the system) and see if you are able to drive then?
 

ImThere

Member
Messages
14
Location
Lewisburg, TN
Update: replaced the passenger side hub and the mat seems to have fixed it. The old hub was under warranty so for the moment we’re good to go.
Thanks for all the replies


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Top