C0265 Engine Code: EBCM Relay Circuit – Diagnosis & Repair
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A C0265 on your Chevy or GMC Will read: Electronic Brake Control Module Relay Circuit. While that’s a mouthful, it doesn’t really give you a great idea of what the problem is.
The EBCM, or electronic brake control module, is the electronic system that controls brake sensors and activates both traction control and ABS. Traction control helps keep your car going in a straight line and ABS prevents your brakes from locking-up and sending you into a skid when you hit the brakes. So, having a bad EBCM problem can be a serious safety hazard for your vehicle as it can disable both of these systems.
What Causes the EBCM Relay Circuit to fail?
While it’s common to blame the full control module itself, the whole control module actually isn’t the problem here. On Chevy and GMC vehicles, this engine code is caused by a bad connection at the EBCM ground, which is located inside of the unit itself. If you open the EBCM it looks like a traditional circuit-board. It has various grounds which control different functionalities of the module.
The code is caused by one bad connection on the EBCM board. The ground that causes this issue varies depending on which vehicle you have:
Midsize Chevy/GMC vehicles: ground 304
Chevy SSR: ground 400
Fullsize trucks and utility vehicles: ground 110
Symptoms of a C0265 Code
Folks with this issue will report that their ABS light is either consistently stuck on, or that it will intermittently go on and off when hitting bumps and things like that.
- ABS light is on
- Park Brake light is on
- Check engine light is on
- Car won’t go into 4WD
- C0201 and U1041 engine codes
EBCM Repair Options
Please do not buy a completely new control module and have it installed. If you go this route and have a shop do it, you could easily be out over $1,000. Because this problem is caused specifically by one ground on the EBCM, the easiest repair option is to fix the ground connection with a soldering kit. It’s actually super easy to DIY, even for those without soldering experience.
If you aren’t comfortable soldering yourself, you can uninstall the EBCM unit and mail it off and have it fixed for $130 plus shipping by someone like this.
Alternatively, if you want to DIY this for all of $0-$20 depending on whether you have a soldering iron, this is a great video to watch here:
This repair guide and the video above are applicable for all the following vehicles:
2002-2006 Cadillac Escalade, EXT & ESV
1999-2007 Chevrolet Silverado
2000-2006 Chevrolet Suburban, Tahoe
2002-2006 Chevrolet Avalanche
2002-2007 Chevrolet TrailBlazer & EXT
2003-2006 Chevolet SSR
1999-2007 GMC Sierra
2000-2006 GMC Yukon / Denali / XL
2002-2007 GMC Envoy / XL
2004-2005 GMC Envoy XUV
I am looking for a replacement EBCM for my 2008 C6 CORVETTE Please advise me of the cost Do you have one and the cost Thank you.
Pat,
I sent mine off to a company in Atlanta. They charged less than a hundred bucks to repair it and send it back overnight. It was guaranteed for life. I had it done 5 years ago and it still works great. It is in my 2003 Vette.
Which one of these procedures should I use for a 2001 S 10, ZR 2?
My husband passed away. And I don’t want to be taken advantage of by a mechanic, what do I do?
I have a Chevy Silverado Z71 1500 LS
You want to sell?
Let me know if you still need help
My Avalanche isn’t throwing any codes…
Just the traction control light, brake light, service brake warning, and service stability warnings are coming on.
Dealer said it was the ECBM.
Other than code 265 , it can be both module and motor. Bad module can send numerous code s, even when erased. If codes won’t clear and abs light is on. It can be extremely difficult and frustrating to figure out. You must have a scan tool that allows you too bleed the brakes after your done. And after all codes are clear. If you replace the wrong part, the code won’t clear and you can’t bleed. This is not a do it yourself project. Abs motor and sensor can be 500$ are more. And difficult to get. Yes it will be expensive to have fixed. Maybe 1500$, some trucks are nightmares too figure out. Some parts don’t work from the box. That you waited a week for. Try figuring that out by yourself, I did. I saved no money really.
I have a 2004 h2 hummer with the same problem. I replaced to front abs sensors and the TC light went off but the ABS and break light are still on. I got a scanner and it shows no connection with the ABS module. I dont know were to star.
Can you explain where this is exactly under the truck. I have a 02 Denali and you said it was a tighter space then the avalanche that you were showing.
Great video though. Thanks for explaining to me what I suspected without knowing how to fix it.
Great video and information I am dealing with same issue just found you site thanks
Really liked your video. Thanks for the information. Where can I get the small rachet you used to remove the EBCM?
Thank you very much, you just saved me a ton of money. Not only am I a mechanic, I’m also am a electronic technician. So knowing what this issue was by your super video, I had no issue fixing my control module on
my 2000 1500 silverado.
I am working on a Isuzu box truck that has a 6.0l Chevy motor and trans in it ABS. Light. I scanned codes under Isuzu 2003 npr and came up c0265 wheel sensor then scanned it as a medium duty Chevy came up c0265 solenoid valve relay circuit. I’m betting that this soldering the relay is the key just would like to do more tests to figure out it’s the correct way to go
What are there no repairs videos for the other version of the ECBM. I have an 02 Escalade EXT with active brake control (JL4), and there are no repair videos for this. GM has discontinued this part and it is not available through the dealers of other part stores.
Can a bad ebcm cause a 03 avalanche z66 to go into limp mode? My scan tool tells me the ebcm is bad and I only get 2 gears
I have a question I have a 2000 suburban I’m working on. It needs a ECBM module the owner threw out the original one. When he got one from a junk yard. The ECBM has 11 Pins. But I see they make a 16 pin module and a 11 pin module But my suburban’s plug has 14 wires on the plug so i don’t know which is the correct one to get.