The StabiliTrak system serves a critical function similar to traction control system (TCS) that helps provide safety while driving, particularly on a slippery road.
However, it is largely unknown in its operation and service StabiliTrak light illuminates automatically in the vehicle’s dashboard.
With the safety measure light, you cannot take it lightly, which can jeopardize yourself if you drive without regard to it.
If you are curious as to what the StabiliTrak system has to say, how it operates, and the meaning of the StabiliTrak warning light, please read on to learn the appropriate info.
What is Service StabiliTrak?
StabiliTrak is an electronic stability control system that operates similar to the traction control system (TCS) of a car, but with a different purpose.
The traction control system limits the amount of power to be given to each of the wheels of your car when the wheels are slipping, while StabiliTrak is designed to help the vehicle control the turning effect better, regardless of road conditions.
The StabiliTrak system utilizes speed sensors and steering angle sensors to assist in enhancing the efficiency of your car’s steering wheels and tires, compared to the driver’s intentions.
For example, if you are driving on a slippery (snowy) road, and your car begins to fishtail, the StabiliTrak system will be able to determine the driver’s intended direction by detecting the tilt angle of your steering wheel.
It will then quickly engage in the brake on the most effective side to stop skidding of the vehicle automatically. This action helps the car to not sway or move significantly out of its drive lane when making a quick turn of the steering wheel. This is essentially a maneuver system.
As in the example before when you are driving, if your vehicle begins to fishtail and travel in the direction opposite to the direction of the steering wheel, the StabiliTrak will engage the outer brake of the car, to thus diminish the motion of the tires sufficient enough to enable the vehicle to travel closely in the intended direction of the driver.
However, there are times that it is better to disengage stability control and traction control, especially when you are ever so stuck in the position that your car needs to be in a loose position to be free.
StabiliTrak lessens engine power in a situation of tire skidding and loss of control in which to enable the vehicle to stabilize itself better. But there could be a point at which your car gets your car stuck, and you need the engine output to be more than normal
When the Service StabiliTrak lights illuminate the dashboard, it means that one or more of the components involved in the proper functioning of the system is defective and needs immediate attention.
Symptoms Of Service StabiliTrak Issue
You can’t miss the obvious symptoms of a StabiliTrak issue in your car. The symptoms include:
- A StabiliTrak warning light comes on.
- Hard shifting
- Loss of power/limp mode
- Trouble codes: ABS Malfunction, Steering wheel sensor Malfunctioning, Speed sensor Malfunctioning, etc.
What Causes The Service StabiliTrak Light To Come On?
Although the StabiliTrak system integrates the steering wheel, brake system, and traction system of the vehicle, there are difficulties unrelated to these areas that cause the service StabiliTrak light to illuminate.
Possible reasons your StabiliTrak light may come on are as follows: –
- A faulty throttle position sensor
- Defective steering wheel position sensor
- ABS sensors
- Defective fuel pump
- Faulty or old spark plugs and ignition coils (Engine misfire)
- P0304 Error Code
- Active Fuel Management (AFM)
- Tire pressure monitor sensors
- Brake switch
- Body control module
- E85 Fuel
The issues listed above are some of the issues that trigger the StabiliTrak light to come on.
Some people confirmed that their vehicle’s StabiliTrak light comes on when they use E85 fuel, but automatically goes away once they run their tank empty of the fuel and fill up with normal gasoline. So, always pay attention to the gas signs.
A bad fuel pump does not mean your car’s StabiliTrak light will come on, but it will sometimes. Therefore, you must make sure to watch your car’s StabiliTrak light whenever it comes on and investigate any possible causes I listed above.
And when there is a StabiliTrak problem within your car, there are always signs to indicate the issue. You must pay attention to the service traction control and StabiliTrak service alerts.
Service StabiliTrak Chevy
StabiliTrak uses input on the driver’s intention from the steering wheel position sensor. The sensor is constantly comparing the position of the vehicle’s wheels to its actual steering response to stabilize the direction in which the vehicle is moving.
Therefore, a fault projected by service StabiliTrak, of the Chevy Cruze may affect or disable StabiliTrak function.
You can go down the road with confidence under your control. This is possible because the Chevy StabiliTrak system instantly adjusts the brake or engine torque in relationship to what it detects StabiliTrak is doing.
This can potentially decrease your chance of an accident because, in the middle of the swerve, the brake could lower the wheel slip and alter Chevy’s trajectory.
StabiliTrak Sensor Location
The previous information in this article has provided you with information on how the StabiliTrak works, what the symptoms are, and some possible causes of the issues you may be experiencing with a Chevy StabiliTrak sensor.
Now you might be wondering, where is the StabiliTrak sensor? When does the StabiliTrak light come on? The location of the StabiliTrak sensors may be different from vehicle model to vehicle model.
For GMC StabiliTrak sensor location and StabiliTrak sensor Location for most vehicles. It is always linked together with the EBCM(Electronic brake control system, and known to some vehicle models as ABS(Anti-lock braking system); This module also houses the chevy StabiliTrak sensor.
The StabiliTrak sensor is not always a stand-alone sensor as it works based on a combination of information coming from the steering angle sensor, speed sensors, and Engine power. However, the StabiliTrak does have a switch that goes along with its user type functionality either on or off depending on what the user prefers. The EBCM coordinates all information required to engage the StabiliTrak it is just like the brain box behind the design of this function.
After the needed coordination of the signals is received from the steering and speed sensors the EBCM/ABS sends signals to the PCM/ECM that processes the information to let the driver know whether the engine power should be reduced.
The Stabilitrak does not have a sensor, instead, it combines sensor information to make it work.
The StabiliTrak has a switch that can sometimes be located on the steering wheel for some vehicle models, the center dash control panel, and on some Vehicle models it provide a switch Option on the dashboard.
How To Reset Service StabiliTrak Issue
If you see that the StabiliTrak warning light for your car is on, it is time to acknowledge the situation and begin to assess what could be wrong, and what you may be able to do to help alleviate the problem.
The StabiliTrak warning light alerts you to a non-functional system, so take the following actions to resolve the problem.
- Step 1: Pullover: Clearly, if your vehicle’s StabiliTrak warning light is on, your first action should be to pull over safely.
- Step 2: Shut off engine: Once you have safely pulled over, turn the vehicle off for at least 20 – 30 seconds so that all the system will refresh.
- Step 3: Start engine: After allowing some time for your car to shut off, proceed to start the engine. The warning light will hopefully disappear. If the warning light is still on, you will want to consult a qualified professional automotive mechanic for a thorough diagnosis of the StabiliTrak system that is alerting the warning light.
FAQs.
Q: How much does it cost to fix the service StabiliTrak?
A car’s service StabiliTrak cost is estimated at around $80 to $200. Parts cost of $35 to $100, and labor cost of $45 to $100. There may be some price variation from one location or service center to another.
Some parts sellers may impose shipping costs to ship the parts to you if they have to ship to your location at all. Maybe we could find out how much it costs from the service center near you.
Q: Can I drive with the a StabiliTrak light on?
It depends. It could be safe to drive with your car’s TCS or StabiliTrak light on if its on due to your vehicle losing traction– in which case, the TCS is engaging.
When traction control is disabled, the vehicle is at risk of sliding around or spinning out. So, you should make sure the system is functioning properly.
Q: How do I turn off service StabiliTrak?
To turn off your car’s service StabiliTrak light:
- You can first tap on the traction control system (TCS) button on your car’s steering wheel, then release it.
- Then, press and hold the control button for a few seconds, at which point it can turn off the service StabiliTrak light from on.
However, the process is not the same for every car, so you need to check your manufacturer’s manual to see where you can find the traction control button. Usually, you can find it on the left side of the steering wheel.
Q: Can StabiliTrak cause a car to stall?
StabiliTrak can stall your vehicle when the stability control system fails during a fishtail situation and can no longer resolve the problem, or you’re unable to recover from the fishtail, or fishtailing begins while approaching an obstacle or hazard.
When the stability control system fails, your vehicle may not have enough power to drive through it, and thus may stall, and the engine may stall.
Q: What is the difference between stability control and traction control?
Stability and traction control are separate. Stability control cuts power and brake wheels, so a car will move in the direction you point it. It is useful for maneuvering a vehicle back to the driver’s desired direction, especially on a snowy road.
Traction control limits wheel spin, but it does NOT maneuver you back in the direction you want to go.
All stability control has traction control, but not all traction control has stability control. Both functions are critical to having a fair ride.
Final Words
Because your car’s StabiliTrak system aids in your safety while driving, it is advisable to monitor the service StabiliTrak warning light when it appears.
When you notice that the warning light is on, it is not the time to drive around until it becomes convenient for you to investigate the issue. You should stop driving and try one of the quick fixes recommended in this article.
If the light remains on continuously, then you’ll want to take your vehicle to a qualified mechanic to have it fixed.