In this article, I will be going over what Chevy Impala’s “service traction control” warning means, the leading causes, and how to fix and reset the fault message from your dashboard. let’s get to it.
What Does “Service Traction Control” Mean on a Chevy Impala?
Before we dive deep into what causes this fault message, it is crucial to understand what it means and how it affects your Chevy Impala.
Basically, when “service traction control” comes up on your Impala dashboard, it means that there is a problem with the traction control system.
From my personal experience as a mechanic, when this warning pops up, it’s usually accompanied by another message such as “service ESC”.
Chevy Impala Traction Control System Explained
The traction control system on an Impala is designed to prevent wheel spin during acceleration or slippery conditions by using brake intervention.
This system makes use of a set of sensors to help detect wheel slip and applies the brakes to the appropriate wheels to keep the car stable.
However, if there’s an issue with the system, it can trigger a warning message and cause the traction control system to malfunction.
What Causes Chevy Impala Service Traction Control Warning
Now, that you know what this message means, let’s look at the most common reasons why it shows up on your dashboard.
1. Bad One or More Wheel Speed Sensor
The most leading cause of the traction control warning on a Chevrolet Impala is a bad one or more wheel speed sensor.
Wheel speed sensor(s) are responsible for transmitting wheel speed data from each wheel to the car’s computer.
When the PCM detects a problem with one of your Imapala’s wheels, it will trigger this warning and disable itself until you replaced the faulty wheel speed sensor.
2. Damaged Wheel Hub/Bearing
Another common cause of service traction control fault is a damaged wheel hub/bearing.
This is a pretty common issue with some of the Impala models. The wheel hub houses the bearings and allows your car’s wheels to spin freely without making any noise.
If one or more of your Chevrolet Impala’s wheel hubs are damaged, then it will likely trigger this warning light on your dashboard.
3. Faulty ABS Module
Anti Brake System also known as ABS is an important feature that helps drivers control their cars during emergency braking situations.
This system prevents your vehicle from locking up its wheels, which can cause skidding and loss of control.
If the Module is faulty, the powertrain control module and the traction control system will pick up on this and display the service traction control message.
4. Damaged Traction Control Module
As the name suggests, the traction control module is responsible for controlling your Impala’s traction.
Over time due to various factors the module can fail and need to be replaced. In all cases, the traction control module can also cause a “service traction control” message to appear on your Chevy.
5. Bad Wiring Harness
The wiring harness is a critical part of your Impala’s electrical system.
If it’s damaged or poorly connected, this can lead to issues with a lot of electronically controlled components in your Chevy Impala including the traction control system.
What to Do When You Get the Service traction control warning on Your Impala
Let’s now look at how to fix and reset this fault. As you can see there are several things that can cause this warning to appear on your Chevy Impala.
I recommend that you get your car diagnosed using an obd2 scanner before getting any parts so that you know exactly what part is causing this issue.
After fixing a lot of Chevy models my bet is on the wheel speed sensor or the wheel hub may need to be replaced but I advise you to get your car diagnosed first to know exactly what is causing this traction control warning on your Chevy Impala.
Since this is not a very serious fault you can take your Chevy to any qualified auto repair garage and they should be able to fix it without any issues.
Otherwise, the nearest Chevrolet dealer should be able to do the same.
How much does it cost to fix the “Service traction control” light on a Chevy Impala?
The cost will vary depending on what is causing the issue, if the fault is caused by a faulty wheel speed sensor then the cost can range from $100-$250.
If the issue is caused by a faulty ABS module then you can expect to pay between $300-$600 for this repair.
Additional Sources
https://my.chevrolet.com/content/
https://www.impalaforums.com/threads/service-traction-control.1730625/
https://www.kbb.com/car-advice/traction-control/
https://www.cars.com/articles/common-problems-with-traction-control-1420680310438/
Hi, the mechanic who has my car told me the traction harness is attached to the wheel bearing and thus needs wheel bearing replacement.
Is this plausible?