1999 Chevrolet Silverado LS from North America - Comments

Same problem here! ABS module kept running at 40,000 miles. Pulled the fuse. Was quoted $978 plus tax for repair. GM should recall these units. Very low quality parts on these "Money Pit" trucks! I'm kicking myself for buying this thing. Have had truck in the shop about every 2,000 miles for defective parts! We must spread the word to everyone how Bad GM trucks are slapped together with junk. I'm convinced GM does this to make a fortune on parts and service, after they sucker you in with their flashy ads. For those of you who have fewer problems... your just plain lucky. But beware, the problems most of us are having, may still hit you all at once! Better sell it fast, before it's too late! Sell it to a GM mechanic. I bet they would pass on it!

If you want to have a chance at getting a recall on this issue we all must call 1-800-222-1020. This the number for Chevy customer assistance. The more calls they get about this "premature" ABS unit failure as a SAFETY ISSUE, the more of a chance we got of getting something done! SAFETY that's the key word. It may take a little bit of time on the phone, but heck, at least bug the heck out of them! This problem is growing by leaps, and bounds out there on the road today. It should not be left alone. After all there are going to be a lot of trucks on the road with all their brake light bulbs pulled (due to the expense of repair) and that's scary. At least GM thinks it is. It will be tough (very costly recall) Let's nail them!!!

I agree! I too have heard that both brake warning lights stay on. Same problem on my 99 Silverado. With people having the brake lights staying on all the time, or being unplugged, how will anyone know when the standard brakes are having a problem? We should contact the NHTSA about this safety issue on our highways today. This should get a recall going! By the way, I only had 37K on my GM Lemon.

I own a 1999 Silverado LS and Thank God I have not had these problems, My truck just turned over 187000 miles and have only had one problem and that is the service engine light keeps coming on but runs great, but everytime I bring it in to get checked they seem to be unable to find the problem. Codes have shown up for Bad Map sencor, fixed that problem but still comes on, code for bad converter had it checked it was OK, the last time I was told it was my gas cap, Come on GM get the little things together and also don't you think it is time to repair the ABS problems these others are having?

Very few problems on a 99 silverado with 187,000 miles on it? Boy... Are you LUCKY!!! They must have built that one for a GM CEO, and forgot to put it aside for him!!! LUCKY, LUCKY, LUCKY!!!

I think now is the time to get the ball rolling on getting a recall on the '99 Silverado ABS falures! Call GM's customer service line, AND contact the NHTSA via the internet reguarding SAFETY ISSUE. This has to be taken care of before someone gets killed. So, for all you folks with the ABS problem... ATTACK!!! We will prevail in this matter. After all, if you create a hazard, you have to fix it!

My 99 Silverado extended cab has a gurgling sound coming from under the dash (air bubbles in the heater core) upon acceleration. Anyone else have this problem? The service 4WD light just came on. What do I have to look forward too?

I own a 1999 Chevrolet Silverado as well, with only 53,000 miles. I, too, just had the ABS unit go out in my truck. I called Chevrolet to complain because of reading all these complaints and also having a friend with the same problem. This $1,000 repair bill is ridiculous! GM doesn't want to own up to the problem because it would cost them too much money to recall. Let's just hope enough people send in their complaints so that we can get our money refunded by GM if and when they send out a recall.

My 1999 Silverado at 60,000 miles has had the same problem. In fact the dealership told me there has been so many problems with this part they are having to keep it stocked every week. Chevy has a responsibility to recall this problem that is costing apparently thousands of people an average of $800 to $1000 to fix.

I repair these ABS modules.

The following should answer all your questions regarding the ABS failures.

The pump motor is switched on by a FET transistor in the ABS control unit. The FET is like a relay, only there are no moving parts.

Just as a mechanical relay can be plagued with "welded contact" failure, the FET transistor does the same. Essentially the FET in all your guys' ABS control boxes are shorted... making the pumps run continuously. The computer however is still perfectly good. Just needs the FET replaced.

There is a conventional mechanical relay in the ABS control unit as well, but it is part of a low current "snubber" (voltage spike absorber) network and ABS solenoid power rail enable. This relay is not problematic in the GM ABS modules. Just the pump motor FET.

The FET is a 3 dollar part. Don't replace the entire ABS pump/controller unit because of that.

For $100 (you also pay two way shipping and insurance), I will replace the FET in your ABS control unit and guarantee the work defect free for six months. It is about a four to five hour job to replace the defective part.

The ABS controller housings are silicon sealed and difficult to take apart without damaging the circuit board inside. There are also 30+ connections that have to desoldered to remove the circuit board to gain access the FET.

Some precautions to protect the ABS pump motor FET. NEVER jump-start your vehicle or another's.. no matter what the manual says. Never use a battery booster to assist a weak battery to start your vehicle. Also be careful of static electricity when the battery is disconnected and working under the hood. When the battery is out of the vehicle, short the positive battery lead to the vehicle's chassis. This will protect the FET from accumulated static discharge if you reach out and grab the battery terminal.

Doing any of the above may subject the FET to abnormal voltages which decompose its internal junction leading to failure and shorting.

Static discharge from your body into the + battery terminal will also break down the FET's junction over time ultimately leading to failure.

Contact me for further info:

gavincurtis@yahoo.com.

Gavin Curtis

Circuit Solutions

1004 Stanford Rd PO BOX 153

Deary, ID 83823.

I just had the same problem on my 99 Chevy with 49K miles. I agree that Chevrolet should own up to the problem. On top of calling Chevy to voice your opinion, what everyone needs to do is go to the following website and file a complaint with the NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) in order to push Chevrolet into a recall. It will take between 5 and 10 minutes, but if enough of us do this we are more likely to get a recall. It is very easy just go to file a complaint and fill out all the information including your VIN number. Please pass this on to as many people as you can find at other boards.

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

Brian

Atlanta GA.

I am also an owner of a 1999 Silverado with a faulty ABS module. The repair was quoted to me as $891 bucks! I have 110000 miles, but my guess is this is probably the second ABS module for this rig. Yes, I think GM slipped up with this invention. ABS is fine on dry roads, but it is terrible on ice. I know first hand how the ABS failed to stop me on ice. It ain't funny GM.

I will also call the number listed and complain.

To say that I am UNHAPPY after reading these comments would be the understatement of the century... I just drove 250 miles to "rescue" my college-aged daughter because she heard this "humming" from under the cab, with the ABS light on. I disconnected the 60 amp fuse so I could get it home, and now I am finding out that it will cost 800-1500 to fix it!!!???!?! This is absolutely unbelievable and unacceptable! From the number of comments it is apparent that GMC has a serious problem they need to attend to. Further, I am "stuck" with it, as I can't sell it with the pump motor running, and I can't sell it with the ABS/Brake light on. Not good... I long for my simple 2-wheel drive Ford...12 years, same battery. Changed the water pump twice, headlights a few times, a tuneup here and there...

Hey me TOO!!! The ABS pump on my 99 Chevy Truck went out almost two years ago. I refuse to give someone $1000.00 to fix it. I am waiting for a GM recall. PS-I am waiting to win the lottery also. West, TX.

I have a 2001 GMC Yukon XL with the same problem at less than 45,000 miles. Haven't attempted to get it repaired yet since all the dealerships in my area are backlogged for over a week. I've just disconnected the ABS control module under the car to revert to normal brakes.