Five problems related to brake sensor have been reported for the 1998 Chevrolet Tahoe. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Low speed antilock brake activation causing excessive stopping distances. Dealer service rep stated that the abs sensors were corroded most likely from road salt. Started out as very intermittent but recently became a constant problem.
Anti-lock brake falses at 6 mph. No difference if accelerating or DE-accelerating. In the beginning the problem was intermitten, but with time the frequency of falsing increased. Finally a trouble code set indicating the right front sensor. After following the procedures in the second edition of the c/k truck servce manual it was determined that the right sensor didn't pass the mv test. The sensor was repalced w/a sensor from a gm dealership. The sensor didn't correct the problem. After following the service manual it directs you to replace ebcm after additional testing. A ebcm was purchased at a gm dealership. The dealership did program in the correct tire size. The falsing at 6 mph contiunes with no improvement. A scan tool was plugged in with the following results: all three (3) sensors, the left, right sensor, and the rear wheel through the ecm. All three (3) sensors read the same until 6 mph is reached at which time the left front sensor will suddenly show 3 mph with the other two (2) sensors will still show 6 mph, the anti-lock falses. When the speed cheanges either > or < 6 mph, the falsing stops. The falsing occurrs with brake pedal applied or not. The mv test indicated the left front sensor was within spec's w/a mv read of 129. The left front sensor was replaced once again purchased from a gm dealership. The falsing continues and the test above with the scan tool was repeated with same results. The anti-lock does operate correctly when brakes are applied and a wheel slip takes place. Your gm dealership can't really help without changing more componets. The problem exists today. Number of failures: every time 6 mph.
23 December 2003, while in stop and go traffic my truck would not stop until I pumped the brake pedal. I came within inches of rear-ending another vehicle. Right out of the blue, no warning, the same situation, the pedal went right down to the floor. The next morning I called lannan. The earliest appointment I could get was for Friday, 2 January 2004. 2 January 2004, while driving to lannan, in woburn square, I nearly hit a lady who stepped out in front of my truck, while she was in the crosswalk. I received the ã‚evil eyeã‚쳜 of a policeman standing nearby. At lannan, I was informed by service pro, mr. Oã‚malley that the problem with my brakes was due to a dirty abs sensor. I read (enclosed) service bulletin #02-05-25-006a. See enclosed lannan invoice #ctcs203241. I paid $278. 25 to clean off the rust. I can not appreciate why an abs sensor (responsible for stopping large vehicles safely) is mounted on a corrosive material that will eventually degrade sensor communication. This degradation prevents large vehicles from stopping at all ã‚ this is not acceptable. I cannot appreciate why there is no warning to the driver when the abs sensor communication is impaired. I cannot appreciate why I was not informed of the potential danger. All those people driving all of those listed vehicles could inflict all kinds of damage and injury to others because of impaired abs sensor communication. Why is there no scheduled maintenance on those sensors? is there a recall? should there be a recall? are you retrofitting? the people who own those listed vehicles should be notified of the potential danger. What type of abs sensors are you using on the other vehicles in your fleet? do you have any idea of what a predicament I would be in today if I hit that lady? at my trial, how well would it be received when they read about the abs activation at low speeds? it would not help that lady that could have been lying under my 5,000 lbs truck.
I have had a problem with the abs brake not working now for about 2 years. The abs will kick in at 10 mph or less and will not stop the vehicle. The vehicle will slide and the tires just lock up. If I release and pump the brake, I am able to stop. I have learned to drive very slowly when coming to a stop but I feel that in an emergency, I may not be able to stop at all. I notice that gm has put out a recall for this exact same thing. They recently added mn & WI to that recall but not the earlier years. My Tahoe is a 1998. I don't feel I should have to pay for repairs of a bad sensor, which is what a service tech had told me 2 years ago, when there is a known problem with the sensors. This is something that happens every single time I apply my brakes.
Abs brakes system road grime wedged into plastic piece covering the abs sensor causing salt corrosion and improper activation of the abs brake system.