1998 Chevrolet Astro: ABS light or ABS activating

Filed Feb 15, 2009 · Body · IL

I have a 1998 chevy astro 2wd we bought with 23k mi. In 2000. Roughly 2 years ago we had all new brakes (head to toe, front & back) installed again. We have had nothing but issues with our ABS mainly when traveling under 15 MPH, when you try and stop it grabs heavily or sometimes almost not at all. Just last year we had the front brakes re-done again and still the problem persists. I have seen many other complaints on the web for this type of issue. We only travel 12-14k miles a year with the vehicle and most of the driving is on country roads. We notice it the most when we are dropping the kids off at school or picking them up or pulling into or out of the garage. The jerking action has caused major front end assembly damage to the van where we had to replace most of those pieces as well. After dumping almost $2200 into the van and still have the same issue, this is why I am filing this complaint. This should be a recall issue, cause it is dangering the lives of my family and other around us. I believe it is a bad sensor. We will also file a complaint with the attorney general of illinois lisa madigan as this is more than just one incident across the u.s. Feel free to call or email me asap as we don't know where to go from here. If the economy was better we might of just went to buy another van but we are like the rest of america at this point and see no point in trying to get rid of a vehicle that performs well except for the ABS. We have records of all work done to the van and will share if need be. Dissatified vehicle owner tom k.

Filed Jun 20, 2005 · Brakes, Fuel system · 50,000 miles · PA

Comments: I read where the federal safety agency has started an investigation into this problem. I have a 1998 astro awd pasasenger van with the same symptoms (started at 50,000 miles, currently has 67,000 miles. I pulled the fuse so I at least have brakes at slow speeds. I nearly ran into my garage and am concerned becauase we live near railroad tracks. Have rolled into intersections beacause of this safety problem. Abs engages at slow speed which allows vehicle to keep going (renders to brajes useless) there is a tsb by gm on this shown below. My concern is that this vehicle is not listed in your investigation. This is a serious safety issue. Brakes - antilock brake activation at low speeds file in section: 05 - brakes bulletin no.: 02-05-25-006a date: december, 2002 technical subject: antilock brake (ABS) activation at low speeds (clean wheel speed sensor mounting surface) models: 1999-2000 cadillac escalade 1995-1999 chevrolet silverado (old style) 1995-2000 chevrolet suburban, tahoe (old style) 1995-2003 chevrolet astro van, blazer, s10 1995-1999 gmc sierra (old style) 1995-2000 gmc yukon, yukon xl (old style) 1995-2001 gmc envoy, jimmy 1995-2003 gmc safari van, sonoma 1995-2001 oldsmobile bravada this bulletin is being revised to change model information. Please discard corporate bulletin number 02-05-25-006 (section 05 - brakes). Condition some customers may comment on ABS activation at low speeds usually below 8 km/h (5 MPH). Upon investigation, the technician will find no dtcs set. Cause the cause of this condition may be an increased air gap between the wheel speed sensor and the hub reluctor ring due to rust and debris built up on the sensor mounting surface. Correction

Filed Mar 2, 2005 · Brakes, Steering · 87,000 miles · PA

While braking at low speed the ABS would cause extended stopping distance. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem. *ak front wheel speed sensor replaced. Left front window hangs when going up. Window tracke lubed. Pads and rotors replaced. Rer brake adjusted. Brake pedal kicked up when almost to a stop. Replaced brake calipers/rotors/ backing plates and removed sensors and cleaned rust build up on sensor and hub assemblies. Both idler amrs and front and rear shocks were replaced due to front end play.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Engine · 150,000 miles · UN

Cannot get air throught vents in dash, all controls work properly vacuum actuator moves, there is vacuum at the swithc, no one knows the answer paint on gas door bubbling and looks like it is going to fall off transmission shifted hard into 2nd gear since we bought it ( 54000kms) finally started to slip , bought used trans and had it installed, quoted 3000.00 to rebuild, dealer was past even belief. Abs comes on when coming to a stop every time . Lf front sensor reads o MPH when other sensors read movement causing it to assume a skid situation, replaced sensor at 205.00 no better, does not set code in computer according to mechanic. Pulled fuse. Has had vibration in driveline since purchased no one can find anything sugeestion range from replace all u joints, did some of them no better to replace rear end. It is not possible in nova scotia to obtain a blasting permit to blow up your car even if you take precautions and hire a professional. I have never in 40 years of driving some bad stuff from old english cars to transport trucks with more miles than there are numbers, ever had this kind of problem, most things can be fixed. You have never lived until you have taken the whole dash apart on one of these, the vehicle was designed by madmen.

Filed May 10, 1999 · Brakes · CA

While driving about 50 MPH driver could step on the brake pedal to stop vehicle. But insisted that there were a lot of problems with the ABS braking system and some others problems.

Filed Apr 6, 1999 · Brakes · TN

When driving at any speed and applying brakes, vehicle is pulling to the left and to the right. Has replaced brakes six times, including rear drums and front brake rotors. However, problem has returned, and the dealer can't determine the cause. When consumer is driving on wet pavement and applying the brakes, vehicle will slide across the road due to ABS brakes locking up.

Filed Jun 26, 1998 · Brakes · OH

Vehicle has ABS brakes. Front brakes lock up under 15 MPH under hard braking which causes vehicle to slide.