2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes

Bobby Zlatkin · 12-20-2015, 09:25 AM

A little off track here, but my car hauler (toter home) has a major problem (problems ?) that currently make it unusable.

It started with the brake alarm going off and staying on. Topped off the hydraulic fluid, but made no difference. Next, the steering locked up. Drove home from Bowling Green at 40 mph not knowing when it would lock up.

Are these two systems related? I don't want to take the truck to the Chev. dealer if possible. What can I do myself?

The truck only has 12,000, easy, miles on it.

Bob Gullett · 12-20-2015, 11:56 AM

Not sure why the steering locked up but when we had our Kodiak 5500 motorhome our brake alarm and dash warning leaving a race track stayed on. After several tries to get it out we found that the brake lite switch was bad. After googling this issue the brake lite switches are a common problem especially of you have a brake controller hooked up. Replace the switch drove it 100 yards and the problem was fixed.

rod butcher · 12-20-2015, 05:31 PM

On my GM 5500 I had a rear abs sensor go bad due to a caliper issue and also had a small relay under the master cylinder that controls the electric side of the brakes burn up from getting moisture in it. As far as the steering, I have't had a problem. Borrow a scanner tool and see what codes you have for the brake system.

Bobby Zlatkin · 12-20-2015, 06:45 PM

So, I take it from these two responses that I have separate problems. The two systems are not integrated.

I'll try the brake light switch first (as soon as I figure out where it is) as it seems the easiest and yes, I do have a brake controller hooked up.

ss3011 · 12-20-2015, 07:45 PM

Ouch ! May have burnt up the trailers brakes .

jmantle · 12-20-2015, 08:37 PM

I'm not sure about the gas pots but if it's a diesel, the systems are related in the fact the power steering pump also supplies the hydraulic pressure for the brake booster.
As Bob said, the brake light switches are a big problem. I did figure out that pulling the radio fuse shuts up the alarm until you can get it fixed.

Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

Mile High · 12-21-2015, 08:48 AM

These trucks have a hydro-boost system. It works the power steering and power brakes. Sounds like the pump is acting up. Maybe this will help.

http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/oper...ssist-systems/

Jeff

12-20-2015, 09:25 AM	#1
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes A little off track here, but my car hauler (toter home) has a major problem (problems ?) that currently make it unusable. It started with the brake alarm going off and staying on. Topped off the hydraulic fluid, but made no difference. Next, the steering locked up. Drove home from Bowling Green at 40 mph not knowing when it would lock up. Are these two systems related? I don't want to take the truck to the Chev. dealer if possible. What can I do myself? The truck only has 12,000, easy, miles on it. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

12-20-2015, 11:56 AM	#2
Bob Gullett VIP Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Posts: 1,068 Likes: 41 Liked 407 Times in 91 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes Not sure why the steering locked up but when we had our Kodiak 5500 motorhome our brake alarm and dash warning leaving a race track stayed on. After several tries to get it out we found that the brake lite switch was bad. After googling this issue the brake lite switches are a common problem especially of you have a brake controller hooked up. Replace the switch drove it 100 yards and the problem was fixed. __________________ 68 Chevy11 327 F/S

12-20-2015, 05:31 PM	#3
rod butcher Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 248 Likes: 291 Liked 129 Times in 24 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes On my GM 5500 I had a rear abs sensor go bad due to a caliper issue and also had a small relay under the master cylinder that controls the electric side of the brakes burn up from getting moisture in it. As far as the steering, I have't had a problem. Borrow a scanner tool and see what codes you have for the brake system.

12-20-2015, 06:45 PM	#4
Bobby Zlatkin Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Mills River, NC Posts: 417 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes So, I take it from these two responses that I have separate problems. The two systems are not integrated. I'll try the brake light switch first (as soon as I figure out where it is) as it seems the easiest and yes, I do have a brake controller hooked up. __________________ Bobby & Norene Zlatkin L/SA

12-20-2015, 07:45 PM	#5
ss3011 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Southeast Michigan Posts: 885 Likes: 63 Liked 221 Times in 102 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes Ouch ! May have burnt up the trailers brakes .

12-20-2015, 08:37 PM	#6
jmantle Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Black Creek, BC Canada Posts: 312 Likes: 62 Liked 137 Times in 67 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes I'm not sure about the gas pots but if it's a diesel, the systems are related in the fact the power steering pump also supplies the hydraulic pressure for the brake booster. As Bob said, the brake light switches are a big problem. I did figure out that pulling the radio fuse shuts up the alarm until you can get it fixed. Jim Mantle V/SA 6632

12-21-2015, 08:48 AM	#7
Mile High Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: My RV Posts: 218 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 2007 Chevrolet 5500: steering and brakes These trucks have a hydro-boost system. It works the power steering and power brakes. Sounds like the pump is acting up. Maybe this will help. http://www.brakeandfrontend.com/oper...ssist-systems/ Jeff __________________ Street legal 64 Falcon Sprint with 410W living in Texas. Stock - Super Stock fan