What do these systems have in common?

**Ty18769** · 01-02-10 12:07 PM

I'm looking at what all these systems have in common. The other day I was driving in some cold temperatures here in Illinois. All of a sudden my traction control light, ABS light, BRAKE light, all come on. Along with just about every error your information console can throw at you: Service stability system, ice possible...etc. Along with all the warnings and codes, as a little bonus, I lost my cruise control and my power steering while going down the road. Now if I thaw the car out in the garage the errors will clear, but inevitably come back when I get out and about and have to give it a cold start out in the weather. It seems to be intermittent, but now it's leaning towards being broke most of the time. When I get it warmed up and there are no codes....everything works completely like normal. What could cause all of the above? Is there a brain that specifically controls all of these system? If so, what's it called? What is my course of action. I have some experience in electronics, just not in automobile electronics (think fighter jets and power plants). Any ideas?

**ghettomike** · 01-02-10 03:24 PM

wow...well i dont got much for you except.
stability system, abs and traction control are all tied into youre break system...
if the car is actually to cold im lost, but if it for some reason thinks it is too cold but it actually is not, try to locate the thermometer, that is what triggers ice possible, and i would start by unplugging that. not sure where it is on the cts but on my truck its behind the grill.

power steering and cruise control...
well the power steering is tied in with stability system... cruise control, maybe check to see if its on the same circut, which i would bet it is because the steering position sensor is close to the wheel and that is what sends info to the stability system.
other option is frost on the hub speed sensors or rotors something like that.

i really dont know what to tell you could be the main cause....but if it is only in cold weather i know 1 fix that would work... move to florida jkz

sorry im not that much help with this one.

**z06bigbird** · 01-03-10 12:41 AM

I had those messages on my 04 CTS (35,000 miles) one misty morning as I did a 90 degree turn out of my driveway. The messages disappeared right after that. Service mgr and I discussed it, and we decided it was a fluke. Perhaps, one of my drive wheels spun a little faster on the moist road surface.

Never happened since. Sold the car about 6 months later after significant hail damage. Unless you have seen specific problems in those areas, I would put my $$ on the idea that it was a fluke.

**Ty18769** · 01-03-10 10:52 AM

it's an intermittent problem. Not going away until it thaws I bet. Not exactly a fluke when it repeats. I see what you're saying though. See what the dealer says on Monday.

**GT!** · 01-04-10 12:09 PM

Could be a power problem. Bad battery or connections, alternator, etc.

-GT

**04BlueChip36** · 01-29-10 07:43 AM

I'm getting the same thing...started doing it three days ago. Only happens on cold mornings. Goes away once the car has been driven a short distance (warmed up) and the ignition is turned off then restarted. Leads me to believe there is a sensor or wire harness connection at fault. Came here looking for help. Checked the front wheel sensor connections and they look good. Need more ideas...