Help Me Oppo...

"Vince-The Roadside Mechanic" (vincent-becker)
03/22/2014 at 11:08 • Filed to: None

About a year ago my Dad's Buick rendezvous traction control and abs went out, but recently it always says that our tire pressure is low when it is not. We checked all the fuses and they are all intact, we disconnected the battery then reconnected it but nothing happened all the lights were still on. We are all out of ideas is it maybe one big sensor or three different ones we need to replace or is it's old age making it go senile. Help us figure out how to fix it Oppo.

DISCUSSION (20)

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 11:11

You might need to replace the ABS sensors, as they are also responsible for traction control. Does the car have TPMS, or does it use a difference in wheel speed to determine a low pressure tire?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
03/22/2014 at 11:14

It has a TPMS that is set at a certain amount of pressure from the factory

Destructive Tester > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 11:25

Given the age, check the fuse box for corrosion on the contacts. If that's OK, check the integrity of the associated wiring. You can get a good enough wire tracker at Harbor Freight for about $10-15. You won't really be tracking the wire, more using the signal to make sure there isn't a break between the fuse box and the sensor(s).
It's not exactly easy but it's going to be cheaper than shot gunning sensor replacement.

One last thing, we can't discount the fact that it's a Buick... That's never a good thing.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Destructive Tester
03/22/2014 at 11:30

ok thanks for the info we will have to try that

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 11:33

Did you set it at the right pressure? I found this on how to calibrate the system.

Set all tire pressures to the recommended kPa/psi.

Turn ON the ignition, with the engine OFF.

Press the MODE button until LOW TIRE PRESSURE HOLD SET TO RESET is displayed.

Press and hold the SET button until a chime sounds and TIRE PRESSURE RESET is displayed and a chime sounds 3 times.

release the SET button and TIRE PRESSURE NORMAL is displayed.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy
03/22/2014 at 12:12

We did that but it still said tire pressure low

Frederick Law Olmsteez > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 12:15

Because Buick. Is the Redezvous the one that looks like its giving birth to another car from the back?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Frederick Law Olmsteez
03/22/2014 at 12:18

Zoom > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 12:35

Dumb question time.

Did you set the tire pressure to the loading label on the door jamb?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zoom
03/22/2014 at 14:35

we set it to the recommended amount

OPPOsaurus WRX > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 14:45

Maybe a busted pressure monitor?

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/22/2014 at 14:50

that is what we are thinking

OPPOsaurus WRX > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 14:56

when I got my wife's new tires put on, I was told I had 1 monitor that was missing. Explain that one.... I started arguing with the guy but my kids were overdue for a nap and didn't wanna wait for me so I just paid the extra $5 or what ever it was and took off.

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > OPPOsaurus WRX
03/22/2014 at 14:58

we don't know what wheel it is though

Zoom > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 15:48

Normally with GM ABS sensor failure the sensor or pigtail to the sensor is the culprit. And IIRC that sensor is part of the wheel bearing. If you have a bearing noise, suspect that sensor/bearing assembly.

If you have set the tire pressure according to manufacturer specs on the door jamb and the light is still on, you have a bad wheel pressure sensor, loacted on the valve stem inside the tire. They are about $40-$65. But figuring out which one will take a diagnostic tool.

Parth985 > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/22/2014 at 18:16

I know a fix... Get rid of it and buy a crv or used rx something from japan that withstands the test of time

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Parth985
03/22/2014 at 21:26

it is holding up pretty well

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Zoom
03/22/2014 at 21:27

thank you this is very helpful

Frederick Law Olmsteez > Vince-The Roadside Mechanic
03/23/2014 at 09:47

Sure it is...

Kinja'd!!!

Vince-The Roadside Mechanic > Frederick Law Olmsteez
03/23/2014 at 11:39

I don't see it