97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help

Warpster · 07-19-2008, 08:01 PM

Hi, I'm new to this forum but I'm having an issue that I was hoping someone here will be able to help with. My sister has this Olds Achieva 1997 that for some time the ABS light has been intermittantly coming on and off. Today she took it to a Midas Muffler shop and they looked at the codes and found only one a C1233 which is the front wheel speed sensor. Well they replaced the sensor and the wheel bearing (why the bearing I don't know). After replacing these items the ABS light is no longer intermittant, it is on all the time now. They then said that the computer is bad and needs replaced at a cost of over $700.

Has anyone experienced this or anything similar or have an idea of where to go from here. I just don't want to see her get taken. I'm used to working on my Corvette but not this achieva so any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

BUDFAN8 · 07-20-2008, 12:42 AM

i hate to talk bad about shops but the midas' around here are known to tell people they need parts that they dont really need. not saying that is what is happening to your sis though. i think i would try to take it to another shop for a second opinion first. make sure they have the proper machine to read the abs on her vehicle not just an ecm reader.

Bud.

SABL · 07-20-2008, 04:00 AM

Warpster,

Bud is telling you like it is. I am also cynical when it comes to "repair shops". The first thing I would do is check to make sure that the wiring was reconnected to the sensors. I have (in the past) had sensors replaced by "repair shops" where they fail to complete the repair by actually reconnecting the wiring. Just a thought..........

SABL

wrench97 · 07-20-2008, 05:03 AM

The code is for the sensor the wheel bearing may have had too much play which would have caused the sensor code also, if it wobbled it would increase and decrease the air gap causing the controller to give you a code on that sensor. The codes point you in a direction to troubleshoot and are not all inclusive of the problem you still need to use your skills in the area the code point you to.
If the light is on now there will be a code associated with it.
My advice is to find a good independent garage with the proper tools and knowledge, it may take some looking but they're out there they also may not always quote you the lowest price up front but they live off of reputation and will generally take care of you and your car better. Last thing while I'm on my podium is stay away from the big chains in general they have a lot techs right out of school with little experience and low pay when they get good they go somewhere else, or they never get good and stay.

**mack1** · 07-20-2008, 07:54 AM

Hi Warpster and welcome to TSF

I am in agreement with wrench97, SABL, and BUDFAN8. They probably screwed up the installation of the new pickup sensor. The signals for the ABS are from the left front, right front, and the speedsensor at the back of the transmission for the back two wheels. Three inputs for wheel movement comparisons. I think the rear wheel (speed sensor) is also used for the speedometer. The front sensors are mounted on a plate at the back of the wheel and look at a notched wheel inside the spinning hub. If my memory serves, I think you can measure the resistance of them with an ohmmeter. I think the sensor is a wire coil around a magnet and the coil resistance can be measured to see if it is shorted or open. They go to the PCM which then feeds signals to the ABS unit electronics. It would probably be easier to measure the resistance at the plug going into the PCM. You know, unplug it and measure the resistance then plug it back. The plug at the wheel is hard to get to.

Not likely the computer (PCM or ABS electronics).

Hope this helps,
Mack1

Warpster · 07-23-2008, 05:52 PM

Thanks for the replies! Now for some investigative work this weekend!

07-19-2008, 08:01 PM	#1 (permalink)
Warpster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2 OS: xp	97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help Hi, I'm new to this forum but I'm having an issue that I was hoping someone here will be able to help with. My sister has this Olds Achieva 1997 that for some time the ABS light has been intermittantly coming on and off. Today she took it to a Midas Muffler shop and they looked at the codes and found only one a C1233 which is the front wheel speed sensor. Well they replaced the sensor and the wheel bearing (why the bearing I don't know). After replacing these items the ABS light is no longer intermittant, it is on all the time now. They then said that the computer is bad and needs replaced at a cost of over $700. Has anyone experienced this or anything similar or have an idea of where to go from here. I just don't want to see her get taken. I'm used to working on my Corvette but not this achieva so any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance.

07-20-2008, 12:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
BUDFAN8 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 192 OS: XP	Re: 97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help i hate to talk bad about shops but the midas' around here are known to tell people they need parts that they dont really need. not saying that is what is happening to your sis though. i think i would try to take it to another shop for a second opinion first. make sure they have the proper machine to read the abs on her vehicle not just an ecm reader. Bud. Last edited by BUDFAN8 : 07-20-2008 at 12:49 AM.

07-20-2008, 04:00 AM	#3 (permalink)
SABL Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Galena, Ohio Posts: 88 OS: WinXP SP3	Re: 97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help Warpster, Bud is telling you like it is. I am also cynical when it comes to "repair shops". The first thing I would do is check to make sure that the wiring was reconnected to the sensors. I have (in the past) had sensors replaced by "repair shops" where they fail to complete the repair by actually reconnecting the wiring. Just a thought.......... SABL

07-20-2008, 05:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
wrench97 Tech Hardware Team Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 2,389 OS: XPSP2	Re: 97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help The code is for the sensor the wheel bearing may have had too much play which would have caused the sensor code also, if it wobbled it would increase and decrease the air gap causing the controller to give you a code on that sensor. The codes point you in a direction to troubleshoot and are not all inclusive of the problem you still need to use your skills in the area the code point you to. If the light is on now there will be a code associated with it. My advice is to find a good independent garage with the proper tools and knowledge, it may take some looking but they're out there they also may not always quote you the lowest price up front but they live off of reputation and will generally take care of you and your car better. Last thing while I'm on my podium is stay away from the big chains in general they have a lot techs right out of school with little experience and low pay when they get good they go somewhere else, or they never get good and stay. __________________

07-20-2008, 07:54 AM	#5 (permalink)
mack1 TSF Articles Team Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Texarkana, Texas Posts: 717 OS: xp sp2 My System	Re: 97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help Hi Warpster and welcome to TSF I am in agreement with wrench97, SABL, and BUDFAN8. They probably screwed up the installation of the new pickup sensor. The signals for the ABS are from the left front, right front, and the speedsensor at the back of the transmission for the back two wheels. Three inputs for wheel movement comparisons. I think the rear wheel (speed sensor) is also used for the speedometer. The front sensors are mounted on a plate at the back of the wheel and look at a notched wheel inside the spinning hub. If my memory serves, I think you can measure the resistance of them with an ohmmeter. I think the sensor is a wire coil around a magnet and the coil resistance can be measured to see if it is shorted or open. They go to the PCM which then feeds signals to the ABS unit electronics. It would probably be easier to measure the resistance at the plug going into the PCM. You know, unplug it and measure the resistance then plug it back. The plug at the wheel is hard to get to. Not likely the computer (PCM or ABS electronics). Hope this helps, Mack1 __________________ "If you like yourself others will like you also" me "Don't drink downstream from the herd" Will Rogers Submit New Articles Here

07-23-2008, 05:52 PM	#6 (permalink)
Warpster Registered User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Lincoln Nebraska Posts: 2 OS: xp	Re: 97 Olds Achieva ABS problem - help Thanks for the replies! Now for some investigative work this weekend!