Just before stopping at an intersection the brake pedal lifted slightly. There was a moaning sound from under the hood on the driver's side and the van drifted into the crosswalk ( lost braking ). I threw it into reverse to stop. After replacing the brake master cylinder, hydro booster, power steering pump and gear and hoses, the problem persisted. I finally found someone with the same problem on an on-line forum who suggested disabling the ABS by pulling the fuse. Problem immediately went away when anti -lock brake was disabled.
1997 Chevrolet Astro: ABS light or ABS activating
8 of the 359 complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 8
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 3 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
Highway traffic suddenly slowed due to an accident ahead. The steel brake line to the rear brakes failed due to excessive rust during an emergency stop on highway. The front brakes were able to safely stop the vehicle with no contact with any other vehicles. Steering was also very difficult during the stop possibly due to ABS action, but no wheel lock ever occurred.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 chevrolet astro. The contact stated that the ABS works intermittently while driving approximately 10 MPH. When approaching a stop, the brakes would not apply and she almost rear ended another vehicle. This has been a persistent failure ever since she purchased the vehicle. The dealer repaired the brakes at the cost of $125, but the failure persists. The dealer stated that there was no brake failure. The contact stated that in order for the brakes to work, she has to slam her foot on the brake pedal, but this solution is not always guaranteed. The current mileage was 50,800 and the failure mileage was unknown. Updated 01-10-08. *kb the consumer stated grossman chevrolet repaired the chevy van again on nov. 30, 2007 at the cost of $979. The consumer further stated in 2005 she rear ended a vehicle at 5mph because vehicle would not stop while applying the brakes. The dealer stated right front hub assembly was replaced, repaired front cover gasket, replaced front pinion, and replaced serpentine belt. Updated 12/31/07
The pedal positions and drivers foot room on my 1997 chevrolet astro contributed to an accident. I was turning left into a driveway which I could see was iced over. I was driving less than 5 MPH and braking when I entered the driveway and felt the anti-lock brakes begin to function. The brake pedal immediately dropped down and the van no longer decelerated. In fact the van accelerated the harder I stood on the brake pedal at which point I realized my right foot was pressing the accelerator as well as the brake. As I tried to move my right foot further left my size 12 right shoe got tangled with my size 12 left shoe in the drivers foot well. By the time I correctly positioned my feet and was able to press exclusively on the very small brake pedal the van crashed into the garage, penetrating the door and coming to a stop as it met the resistance of the vehicle parked in the garage. It happened so fast at first I felt like an idiot for having an accident until I analyzed the chain of events. I discovered the way I normally position my feet, out stretched in the foot well is unsafe. I noticed when I apply the brake with the ball of my right foot during normal stops the overall width of my shoe hovers over the accelerator pedal. This is normally of no consequence because the brake pedal hits bottom above the height of where the accelerator pedal rests during non-ABS stops. However when the pedal drops down during ABS assist the foot room is too tight. This requires me to rest my left foot leg bent on the left wheel well. Although this is uncomfortable for me I believe I will need to drive this way for safety purposes. Short of gm reengineering this poor design, adult men need to be made aware of this potential while driving these vans. There are a lot of astros and gmc safaris on the road. I can't believe I am the only person who has had this problem.
While backing out of parking space & was trying to turn steering wheel and power module went out. Was depressing brake pedal & vehicle had no brakes. Vehicle towed to dealer. Was informed by mechanic that sterring & ABS brakes were connected to one another. When one failed, both of them were out.
Abs brakes seem to kick in at low speeds. Can feel the brake pedal pulsating. Would make loud noises when brakes are applied. On its own the ABS brakes would engage & then disengage. Problem is intermittent & cannot be duplicated. Have taken vehicle to dealership & mechanic has test driven vehicle to apply brakes, but the problem was never solved.
Defective power steering pump, caused loss of steering. Also, ABS pump went out while driving at 5mph, causing loss of the brakes. Gasoline gauge is no longer working. Dealer has been contacted.
When applying the ABS brakes there is extended stopping distance, and also the power steering gives out.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
8 of 359 owner complaints about the 1997 Chevrolet Astro (2%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 1994.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro?
There are 0 recalls and 3 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1997 Chevrolet Astro
Wipers 30Brake failure 15Jerking 13Transmission failure 13Loss of power 12Power steering loss 11Pulling 10Fuel pump 9Fuel gauge 8No deployment 7Power windows 7Fire or smoke 6Harsh shifting 6Slipping 6
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