[Thomcat]

My guess is there is going to be a lot more electrical "spooks" showing up in resales in the next few years as the TX, LA and FL flood vehicles hit the used car market. .Some were total losses and will have a Salvage title, although disreputable people have been known to launder some. Probably some still ones victims of Katrina confusing dealers and pi$$ing off unfortunate owners.

Danger is in vehicles with water up to the floor boards with no water damage to the drive train only the carpet and seats. Insurance wouldn't have totaled the car and covered only the carpets and drying out, or maybe owner only had liability and not full coverage, or maybe damage didn't exceed the deductible and the owner cleaned and dried it out himself. Dried out cars might have been fine years ago with point to point wiring and printed circuit boards, but these modern vehicles use a digital communication bus going to the ECU/BCU and other computers. Many buttons, switches and sensors communicate through a series of resistance or capacitance signals to the computer/control chips which recognize the requesting switch and activate a corresponding relay or output circuit to activate the accessory component. The outside connectors exposed to the elements contain a non conductive grease to protect the connector contacts from air/moisture which will oxidize the contacts (making a bad connections) and causing the computer to misidentify or failing to act on the requesting button/switch/sensor.

Problem is the internal connectors are not designed to be wet or muddied and unless 100% cleaned and dried out will eventually oxidize and depending upon the initial damage, not all at the same rate. Even if the components like airbag connectors, seat controls console wiring etc. which are subject to direct contact in a floorboard level flood, many other circuits that did not get wet will also be directly affected because the wiring from doors, rear lights, heating controls, etc are connected to wiring bundles with connectors running through the tunnels under the sill plate.

My '12 Avalanche had more leaks than a submarine with a screen door. Windshield, front fender, sunroof drain, driver door surround and all leaked over the first year each time with a flood, wet carpet, flooded driver side tunnel, even wet seat control connectors and under seat airbag connectors.....and this was with "clean" water. After a few months I noticed a problem with the seat motors, pulled the driver's side connectors and noticed they were no longer bright but were whitish/dulled compared to the passenger side which had not been exposed to water. I wasn't waiting for the dealer to try to figure out why some of the steering wheel controls were sometimes acting erratically and sometimes the HVAC motor wouldn't come on even in manual mode......straight to the trade in manager to get an estimate out with a new Chevy.

 

[pat]

I had this issue happen to me this morning on my way home with my teenage daughter in the car. I had just gotten off the highway and making my way home, when the 'traction turned off' lamp came on. Thinking I may have hit the button while turning on the radio, I pushed down on the traction control button to turn it back on. Needless-to-say, it didn't do a thing. The next message I got was 'engine power reduced', quickly followed by "stabilizer track needs service". Then it was engine power being reduced and my speed was slowly crashing ... steering flipped into manual making it almost impossible to control. I was rounding a bend going down hill and I thought I was going to crash the car. As I turned to go up hill, the car completely stopped. I turned off the key, pulled it out and then reinserted and started the car once again --- continued up hill with multiple messages flashing on my panel -- puttered up the hill and around the bend to my home where I parked it in the garage -- fully expecting it not to start again.

Called the service department and was told that as long as the "engine" light was not flashing, it should be ok to drive and I should consider bringing it into the dealership -- since I still have On-Star, if I were to breakdown, I could call for pick up. Seriously? Coldest day of the year so far and now I have to worry about driving my car 15 miles in the hope I do not breakdown. Once I got there, the person who told me to bring had left for his lunch break .... 3+ hours later, I was told they could replicate the problem -- traction code p2138 gave them a message to check for water intrusion at the kick panel (which there was none) and then removed connector and and added die electrical grease to connect and reinstalled--- checked and moved wiring harness around - seemed to fix issue with traction control. Hoping this is a permanent fix; however, after reading all the comments, I'm concerned.

 

[timc172]

I had this issue happen to me this morning on my way home with my teenage daughter in the car. I had just gotten off the highway and making my way home, when the 'traction turned off' lamp came on. Thinking I may have hit the button while turning on the radio, I pushed down on the traction control button to turn it back on. Needless-to-say, it didn't do a thing. The next message I got was 'engine power reduced', quickly followed by "stabilizer track needs service". Then it was engine power being reduced and my speed was slowly crashing ... steering flipped into manual making it almost impossible to control. I was rounding a bend going down hill and I thought I was going to crash the car. As I turned to go up hill, the car completely stopped. I turned off the key, pulled it out and then reinserted and started the car once again --- continued up hill with multiple messages flashing on my panel -- puttered up the hill and around the bend to my home where I parked it in the garage -- fully expecting it not to start again.

Called the service department and was told that as long as the "engine" light was not flashing, it should be ok to drive and I should consider bringing it into the dealership -- since I still have On-Star, if I were to breakdown, I could call for pick up. Seriously? Coldest day of the year so far and now I have to worry about driving my car 15 miles in the hope I do not breakdown. Once I got there, the person who told me to bring had left for his lunch break .... 3+ hours later, I was told they could replicate the problem -- traction code p2138 gave them a message to check for water intrusion at the kick panel (which there was none) and then removed connector and and added die electrical grease to connect and reinstalled--- checked and moved wiring harness around - seemed to fix issue with traction control. Hoping this is a permanent fix; however, after reading all the comments, I'm concerned.

I wonder if the cold could have something to do with it. We are near Chicago and are having a very cold stretch of weather. On the coldest day, our 2016 Traverse with 60,000 miles started displaying 'Traction Control Off', "Service Stabilitrak", 'Engine Power Reduced', 'Max Speed 25 MPH'. I shut it off and restarted and it all went away. Next day did it again and went away again.

 

[kkeelliiee06]

My 2010 Traverse did the same thing as I was vacationing in Texas this past Christmas. On my way home (Kentucky) I had to stop and shut it off and restart multiple times. My mechanic is telling me that I need a new throttle body which has the sensor on it. Hoping this fixes it

 

[nogoodtraverse830]

Wow, I have the same issues with my 2011 Traverse. Only had it for 9months and ready to trade it in and never get a Traverse from the issues I’ve see that everyone has that I have.

NomoreTraverse

 

[rbarrios]

once the cold weather comes around...
its fun to watch the posts pile up
engine power reduced,
stabilitrack (service)
Traction control off


Many times - people report they pull over on the road or service station while they figure out what happened.
5-20 min later- they go and restart--- and the vehicle is perfectly fine.

the big tip off is that once the engine sits and soaks up any heat--- the vehicle is fine..
What soaks up heat? the throttle body.

turns out that in COLD weather--- theres condensation in the tube... many times mixed with oil------- and you end up with frothy oil (look up milkshake on here).
In the freezing temps--- this stuff freezes.. (or any stuff that got into the little stepper motor) and you get the messages.
When you turn off the vehicle-- that ice melts... and youre back to normal for a while.

Ive posted before-- as cold weather arrives--- to clean the throttle body and oil thats accumulated so you dont get these issues.
Or do the PCV mod- to help with oil pooling.

I clean my Throttle body at every oil change.

 

[electbc]

Ditto.
I was having all sorts of problems with the service stabilitrack, service traction control,reduced power when the polar vortex hit the northeast a few years ago. The PCV system was clogged and the moisture wasn't burning off so my air intake collected moisture and froze the throttle body giving the reduced engine power. Milkshakes galore, 90% water/10%oil.
I Performed the PCV mod to open the system and keep it clear, it did wonders. I also replaced the MAF sensor and the Throttle Body. Total cost for the two parts about $200, mod was free. Truck has been trouble free for 3 years now.
If you get the random misfires, do they come up after cruising along and then stopping at a trafffic light? My theory is that the engine is gulping up the water collected in the air intake. Performing the mod should eliminate this.

 

[greentraverse]

Another Stabili-Trak datapoint:

2017 LT, bought January 2017. 23,613 miles. Wife drove it in snow on Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday it sat in the garage with 10-20F outside, while we drove the truck in the snow. Thursday she took it out. Drove 4 miles to church. Coming back, got the Stabili-Trak light.

Cleaned the throttle body last night, no issues on 50+ mile drive and 5 start/stops today. TB wasn't really very dirty. No oil in the intake. Just a little black coating behind the throttle plate. I had my 2011 LT from April 2012 through Jan 2017, 90XXX miles, and only had the Stabili-Trak come up once, in Dec 2016. The TB then was a LOT dirtier than yesterday's.

 

[electbc]

I just checked the oil before a trip. The level was a quart low, there was moisture on the inside of oil filler cap. I checked the after market catch can that I had put in and it had a bit of a milkshake in there, about 1 half inch or so, it holds about 1/2 a cup. I looked inside the air intake snorkel and it had a film of oil in there and throttle just had a film, no milkshake. I will check the PCV orifice in the coming days to see it it is still clear.
We have had some cold weather this winter, I don't drive this truck everyday but my daughter drove it around town during break, I did drive it on a couple of trips of 250 and 300 miles lately, mostly highway and mountainous. One trip it was 3 degrees at the destination last week.
I did have some other issues last night, see my new post on Instrument Bright and No Gauges.

 

[electbc]

Just a followup. I checked the catch can again today. I cleaned it before this trip and there was a milkshake forming in there today. It wasn't too cold on the trip, high 20s to 30s, humidity above 50% I believe.

 

[electbc]

Another followup. I checked PVC barb and it is clear, cold weather has been producing milkshakes in the after market catch can but not inside the air intake snorkel. I do need to clean the throttle.
I have been getting Traction Control Off and Service stabilitrack messages frequently now. I will check the brake fluid first.

 

[sergcan24]

2015 Chevy Traverse Traction Contol Issues

My wife and I had taken our Traverse to get a routine oil maintenance at our dealership where we had bought it at. After getting our oil change we were notified that there was break fluid leaking and that it would cost a $100.00 or so dollar to get replaced. I advised them to not do anything yet as I needed to confer with my wife. We had never seen any stains in our drive way that would indicate any fluid leaks so, this caused suspicion on our part. I then advised the gentleman who advised me of the issue that we were going to take it to our mechanic who we know and trust to take a look at it. From here, he asked that i give him a moment and came back to me. He did advise that they will go ahead and continue with the maintenance and not charge us. Reason being is they had already gotten with their claims department and they had already approved repair. I said, ok, since there is no cost, go ahead.

Today on our first road trip out of town since the repair our traction control light came on a quarter of the way. Once the light came on I could already feel the difference. The SUV started shaking every time I accelerated. We pulled over, shut the suv down and looked at the manual for instruction. I had initially thought my wife had accidentally hit the traction control button, however, after repeatedly pressing the button the traction control light would not turn off. We decided to end our trip and go back home. Once the vehicle was turned back on, the light was now off. We were concerned, but, we decided to try and carry on with the trip assuming that turning off the suv and turning it back on this somehow reset the traction control. About 40 minutes later the light appeared again and the same stuttering.

We decided to end our trip and comeback home. Of course, once we were home the light turned off again.

I am righting this for not only my documentation, but, to see if this is a know issue with Chevy Traverses. I have been googling this issue and it appears to be some known consumer issue. If this is the case, why has there not been recalls on the vehicles?? I feel that I unknowing put my family at risk because of this and fills me with regret for purchasing this family vehicle.

We will be taking the vehicle to the dealership first thing Monday morning and hope for a satisfactory explanation.

 

[Capucine]

I presume that your Traverse is still under the 3 years bumper to bumper warranty?

 

[electbc]

How cold was it when this happened? I believe the throttle body is sticking when this happens. I may need a good cleaning, or is may have had ice on it if it were cold there. Is this the first time this has happened?
What exactly did the dealer replace? He may have left a connector loose as well.

 

[Windwarrior]

service stabilitrak/ traction control and ABS light on.

I have a 2011 traverse that the service stabilitrak/traction control and ABS lights have come on the reset. But when your driving it shakes or slows down and the rpm's go up and down the drive ok then does it again randomly and at a number of speeds. Can anyone help with what this may be? A possible wheel speed sensor? Thanks.

 

[Branlynn]

I am dealing with the exact same issue, expect the last time, my car shut completely off driving 55 miles an hour and came to a dead stop! It almost killed us! Thankfully, no one was behind me. I called the local dealer and also filed a case with GM. The local dealer told me that because it is not throwing a specific code when I got it to them, they can't do anything. As those of you know who have this problem, that is what happens. Once you turn the key off and then a few seconds later back on, its up and going.
So, who is liable? They turned me away and said "bring it back when its doing it"- that is impossible!

GM has to know there is an issue- I know that there are many who are having this issue and apparently no one knows what the problem is.

What is the next step? Wait for the accident?

 

[Tarascottchevy1019]

Hi all! So my hubby and I spent over 5 hrs trying to figure out why my 2011 Traverse lt died. I was sitting in a parking lot with the car on and my air stopped working ..... I thought that was odd so I pressed the fan button and the air cane back on. Then all these messages about device traction control is shutting off service stabletrac and check , service battery charging system and saving battery mode. We took the factory battery out and put in a brand new battery. The car turned over but there was now some smoke coming from under the hood. Now we are stumped! Is it the alternator? Something else? What was smoking? Ugh I’m just so frustrated. My suv is currently in the parking lot of the grocery store. My hubby was going to try and get to the alternator to test it. Anyone else have these issues? Oh and when the truck dies the key gets stuck in the ignition. Thanks for any help in advance!!

 

[M15]

Good day, I'm Mauro Mtz from Mexico, I've been looking for the diagram to replace the yaw rate sensor of a 2014 traverse truck, I'm checking the indicator of the stability control system I already bought it but I do not know where it is located to be able to change the piece, I do not want to take it to the dealership because I do not trust in the work that they have done in the previous services, they could tell me in which part of the truck the sensor is located

 

[greentraverse]

Good day, I'm Mauro Mtz from Mexico, I've been looking for the diagram to replace the yaw rate sensor of a 2014 traverse truck, I'm checking the indicator of the stability control system I already bought it but I do not know where it is located to be able to change the piece, I do not want to take it to the dealership because I do not trust in the work that they have done in the previous services, they could tell me in which part of the truck the sensor is located

See your other post.

 

[Unsafe]

2015 Traverse stabilitrak. I have seen the same concern with many many owners in forums and videos. It's discouraging how much money is being wasted with little or no solution to the problem. My two children and I are often stranded roadside for up to ten minutes before the vehicle restarts. Power window was fixed only to go out a few months later. I plan go back to a Honda.