Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

Check engine and ABS light on GM vehicles — Service Bulletin Fix

Got a check engine and ABS light on a GM vehicle? Here’s the fix

GM has issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) #06-06-04-049B for check engine and ABS light on, along with a no start, stall, and various other electrical problems on the vehicles listed below.

GM has found that a chaffed wiring harness can cause all these

ac accumulator

AC accumulator in engine compartment near the firewall

problems. Even though they’ve making cars for over a century, that doesn’t seem to have taught them anything about how to route a wiring harness. In this case, the wiring harness rubs through in a location against the air conditioning accumulator.

So head for the accumulator at the firewall and examine the wiring harness. If you find chaffing, repair any exposed wires electrical tape. Then tape the entire harness and route it to prevent future rub through.

If you feel up to it, send a thank you note to Mary Barra at [email protected]. Ask her to send her engineers back to school to learn how to route wiring harnesses in a safe manner.

Vehicles covered by the GM service bulletin

1997-03 Buick Century, Regal
2000-03 Chevrolet Impala, Monte Carlo
1999-01 Pontiac Grand Prix

Here’s the full list of problems covered by the GM Service Bulletin

Anti-Lock Brake System ABS Warning Light illuminated
Intermittent MIL/Service Engine Soon indicator illuminated
Engine will not start
Engine stalls after start up
Various electrical system failures
Various driveability concerns

The cause of the check engine and ABS light on may be a chaffed wiring harness that’s rubbed through against the air conditioning accumulator. Examine the wiring harness and repair any rubbed through insulation using electrical tape. Then tape the entire harness to prevent future rub through.

© 2012 Rick Muscoplat

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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