ABS kicks in on when it shouldn't

ghorty · March 27, 2017

OK, I picked it up Friday night, cause: Internal Failure of Vacuum Pump. They replaced the Pump, Belt and Belt Kit. Bulletin #PIT5361C. No oil found in line. Vacuum PSI dropping to -3 PSI.

So it looks like I'm good to go. They pressure on the brakes feel good.

89LincolnLSC · July 1, 2018

Hi, new to this forum, searching for answers to my problem. I know this thread is a year old, but I'm having the same concern.

I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT crew 5.3 4x4 w/110k miles

I brought this to the dealer three weeks ago, paid $158 for the diagnosis that they couldn't duplicate the concern. Last week I was driving by the dealership during open hours while it was acting up, and went in. 25min and another $158 dollars later they tell me the brake system is compromised and I need to replace the master cylinder, vacuum pump, abs control module, all brake lines and hose, and all four calipers as the system has been contaminated. all this at the great low price of $3,800

Oh, and my a/c isn't working again, I've replaced the condenser 4 times already, only two under warrenty

Anyone have this ABS activating while trying to come to a stop, all the time when backing up, and paid for the repair out of pocket? What was the cost, and what did you replace?

any advice would be great

silveradosid · July 2, 2018

did they say what compromised it. i would either go to another dealership or local garage that has scanning equipment to diagnos the problem while driving the vehicle

89LincolnLSC · July 9, 2018

They didn't specify what compromised the system, I think they just wrote up a quote to replace everything, and see if it fixes it.

I wish another dealer was an option. My local GM dealer (35 minutes from home) has refused to work on my vehicles after I purchased from a competitor, forcing me to drive an hour to the next closest GM dealership.

I didn't know if I just change the vacuum pump if I would have success in fixing the problem.

Gofas · September 16, 2019

So what ever happened with your brake system?

i am experiencing this problem lately. However when I took mine to the dealer it would not replicate. Frustrating.

Gofas · September 16, 2019

On 6/30/2018 at 6:40 PM, 89LincolnLSC said:

Hi, new to this forum, searching for answers to my problem. I know this thread is a year old, but I'm having the same concern.

I have a 2014 GMC Sierra 1500 SLT crew 5.3 4x4 w/110k miles

I brought this to the dealer three weeks ago, paid $158 for the diagnosis that they couldn't duplicate the concern. Last week I was driving by the dealership during open hours while it was acting up, and went in. 25min and another $158 dollars later they tell me the brake system is compromised and I need to replace the master cylinder, vacuum pump, abs control module, all brake lines and hose, and all four calipers as the system has been contaminated. all this at the great low price of $3,800

Oh, and my a/c isn't working again, I've replaced the condenser 4 times already, only two under warrenty

Anyone have this ABS activating while trying to come to a stop, all the time when backing up, and paid for the repair out of pocket? What was the cost, and what did you replace?

any advice would be great

89LincolnLSC · September 17, 2019

19 hours ago, Gofas said:

So what ever happened with your brake system?

i am experiencing this problem lately. However when I took mine to the dealer it would not replicate. Frustrating.

Still running the truck as-is. I believe it's the vacuum pump, waiting for the recall. Hasn't gotten any worse, and I don't want to deal with the dealer unless I have to. The recall says there just doing a CPU reprogram to keep the brakes working when vacuum is low.

We'll see!

DDruziak · July 11, 2021

I have a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 and my abs kicks on in reverse on a decline. Does it basically every time. What conclusion have you guys come to?

Byrds8 · July 12, 2021

20 hours ago, DDruziak said:

I have a 2015 GMC Sierra 1500 and my abs kicks on in reverse on a decline. Does it basically every time. What conclusion have you guys come to?

Mine did this but did it in forwards also. They replaced the vacuum pump and now shes great.

TWard425 · July 3, 2022

On 3/21/2017 at 7:37 AM, ghorty said:

I just started having an issue where my ABS breaks kick in when it shouldn't. I have noticed it happen mostly when backing up or down grade, and then doesn't turn off until I take it out of Drive. I have also had this happen when parking in a dry parking lot, so no reason it should kick in. There are no error codes being generated by the ABS. When it does kick in, I noticed the brake peddle clicks when I press it.

Anyone else have this or any ideas what's causing this?

2016 Silverado Z71

I have this same issue right now on my 2015 for about the past couple years and I can’t figure it out. It’s when I have to press pedal again without rolling over like 5mph maybe. So like drive thru lines it engages from stopping and starting and also backing up or pulling forward where I have to control speed for a period of time, especially down hill, it will engage. What did you find to be the fix and has it stayed working properly?

Jim Dawson · July 4, 2022

I think there is now some recall on this issue. Not sure if its for the vacuum pump, but when it happens to me, its always at low speed/rpms. I put the truck in Neutral, and rev the engine and pump assist kicks in to stop the vehicle. Not an elegant fix, but it doesn't cost me anything.

mikepol2 · July 5, 2022

Super annoying. 2015 Silverado, 83K miles. For a few months I noticed that every so often approaching a stop the ABS would kick on, the pedal would travel almost to the floor, and the truck would take a while to stop. It was really bad the other day so I installed a new master cylinder and that DID NOT solve the problem. Piss me the hell off. Don't want to have to replace the vacuum pump.