I took my 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix out in an icy parking lot, popped on the parking brake and spun it around...

Question

after spinning it around in the parking lot, the ABS light went on, the traction control went off, and the steering assist
*warning messages* all popped up on the information display. Powering down, and powering back up did no good, but the next morning, the warnings were gone. Question is - Did I make the car's sensors go haywire for a brief period of time due to the slush/snow mix getting someplace it shouldn't have or is something wrong with this generation of Grand Prix?

Answer 1

it saw both rear abs wheel sensors drop to 0 value and the front sensors were still there. it saw this as a failure, which in effect, it was. when an abs sees a failure, cars with trac control also use these sensors to control wheelspin. thats why the lites came on. you didn't really hurt anything, but continued doing this will eventually cause an electric module to lose it's base settings. and you will eventually hit something.

Answer 2

I have a 2000 Grand Prix, and every time I climb a hill, the traction control light starts flashing. I don't know why, but it does. I've never tried to spin in the snow, lol, but I know it would also come on then. You probably just "confused" the car, would be my guess, the sensors just went a little haywire bc...you went a little haywire in the car, lol. But I wouldn't worry about it.

Answer 3

You probably "confused" the sensors. It's common in most cars with all the electronics. Usually shutting the car down and letting it sit will remedy the problem just as you did. Just keep an eye on your gauges for a while and if it does it again, have your mechanic put it on the machine to check for any error codes. It's a shame you don't own a Dodge, since they have an onboard diagnostic computer a turn of a key away and you can diagnose your own car before you pay to have it done. I used to own GM products and converted because they were too "difficult" to diagnose and repair and my father in law(ex Dodge mechanic)used to tell me that GM's were s##t. (He was right, but don't tell him)

Answer 4

It is possible that slush may have caused this, but also keep in mind that both the anti locks and traction control systems were seeing the need to engage because wheels were spinning and wheels were not. In short, the system was a bit confused and just needed time to reset. :)

Answer 5

OK the "parking brake" light do you mean the one that says parking brake or is it the (B) light. If it is the first check the switch on the P-Brake pedal If it is the (B) light like I suspect in the way you get it to turn off. This is a warning light and is telling you you have a brake failure usually a low reservoir. Might want to check that..

Answer 6

Yeah these people are right you fooled the Sensors in the back by locking up the wheels and you didn't damage anything. And I agree with Knowitall that the ECM thought you were going to Crash.

Answer 7

don't worry , it is supposed to do that. the display is letting you know that it is engaging all those features on your car. try turning off the traction control next time and have fun! and your car is most definitely not obd1 so don't unplug anything.
and you can take your car down to autozone anytime and they will hook it up to an actron scanner for free and delete any fault codes that you have stored, or tell you what is going on.

Answer 8

i would look at a wheel speed sensor.
a faulty wheel speed sensor will effect
abs,traction control.
2004 is obd1 so if wheel speed sensor
are ok you may try disconnecting the - battery
cable to rest the computer

Answer 9

You didn't hurt anything.
Front tires kept going, back tires stoped, no brale pedal applied...

The computer went "OH MY GOD, WE'RE GOING TO CRASH!!"

Your car's fine.