C0110 Code: ABS Pump Motor Circuit (GM EBCM)
The GM brake module (EBCM) found a fault in the ABS pump motor circuit and switched ABS off.
Unverified: this manufacturer-specific definition comes from a single source or varies by model. Confirm it with a brand-specific scan tool.
Safety first · Consult a professional
- Braking system affected: ABS may be disabled. Drive carefully and have it checked promptly.
At a glance
Severity: Moderate
- Meaning
- ABS Pump Motor Circuit (GM EBCM)
- System
- Brakes, ABS & Chassis · Chassis
- Safe to drive?
- With caution
- Typical repair cost
- $30–$2,400
- DIY difficulty
- Hard
C0110 is GM's code for the pump motor circuit in the electronic brake control module (EBCM). On GM vehicles the EBCM is usually bolted directly to the brake pressure modulator valve (BPMV), and it switches the pump motor through an internal relay or transistor. The EBCM checks the motor voltage when it's commanded and during a short test after you first drive off; an open, short, stuck relay or a motor that doesn't turn sets C0110, typically with a symptom byte such as -04 (open) or -06 (short to ground or open). The number sits in a manufacturer-defined range, so other makes may use it differently; Ford and Chrysler-group vehicles report the same fault as C0020.
Can I keep driving? You still have normal power brakes, but ABS, traction control and StabiliTrak are off. Drive with extra margin and avoid hard stops on wet or gravel roads until the circuit is repaired.
How to read C0110
- C Chassis
- 0 Generic (SAE)
- 1 Brakes, ABS & Chassis
- 10 Specific fault
Symptoms
- ABS light and 'Service StabiliTrak' or 'Service Traction Control' message
- No brief pump whir from the modulator right after pulling away
- Code sets after jump-starting or with a weak battery, then later stays on
- ABS light on every drive, even after clearing
- Brake pedal feels normal; only the warning lights change
Possible causes
Ranked by how often each cause is behind this code (editorial estimate).
- Internal motor relay or driver failure in the EBCM (a known weak point on older GM truck EBCMs)
- Pump motor seized or worn, often from water entering the motor housing
- ABS power fuse, fusible link or battery cable junction with high resistance
- Rusted EBCM ground at the frame or body
- Low system voltage from a failing battery, alternator or jump-start
- Damaged terminals in the EBCM harness connector
Diagnosis step by step
Read all EBCM codes and symptom bytes
Use a scan tool that talks to the GM EBCM. Note C0110 with its symptom byte and any motor relay or system voltage codes stored with it, since those change the diagnosis.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Run the pump motor test
Most professional scan tools offer an ABS pump motor or automated test for GM. A healthy pump runs with a strong, even hum for a second or two; a click with no hum points to the motor or relay.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Load-test the ABS fuse and feed
Find the high-amp ABS fuse in the underhood fuse block and check both sides with a test light or meter while the pump runs. A drop of more than about half a volt from the battery to the EBCM feed means a bad terminal, fusible link or cable connection.
Tools: Multimeter
Clean the EBCM ground
On trucks and SUVs the ground often attaches to the frame, where road salt attacks it. Remove the ground, clean it to bare metal, protect it with dielectric grease and retest the pump.
Tools: Screwdriver, Soft brush
Separate EBCM from motor fault
If feed and ground are good, the fault is in the EBCM or motor. Many shops check the motor by removing the EBCM and powering the motor pins briefly through a fused jumper; if the motor spins freely, the EBCM's internal relay is the problem and can often be rebuilt.
Tools: Multimeter, Screwdriver
Program, bleed and verify
A replacement EBCM on many GM vehicles must be programmed with the vehicle's options before it works. After any hydraulic work, perform the automated bleed, clear codes and road test above about 10 mph.
Tools: OBD-II scanner
Where the parts are
- 1Ignition coil
- 2Spark plug
- 3Fuel injector
- 4Camshaft sensor
- 5Crankshaft sensor
- 6Engine computer (ECM)
- 7Intake manifold
Repair options & costs
| Repair | DIY? | Estimated cost |
|---|---|---|
| Repair ABS fuse terminal or battery cable junction | Yes | $30–$180 |
| Clean and reseal EBCM ground | Yes | $40–$150 |
| Mail-in EBCM rebuild (relay/driver repair) | Yes | $150–$450 |
| New or reman EBCM with programming | No | $500–$1,200 |
| Replace BPMV/pump assembly and EBCM, bleed | No | $1,000–$2,400 |
Rough US estimates for parts and labor; shop rates vary by region. Not a quote.
Notes by brand
Chevrolet
On Silverado, Tahoe, Suburban and Avalanche trucks of the late-1990s to mid-2000s generation, EBCM failures with pump motor and motor relay codes are well known; mail-in rebuild services that repair the internal relay circuit are a common, cheaper alternative to a new module.
GMC
Sierra and Yukon models of the same generation share this EBCM design and the same failure pattern, so check power and ground first, then consider a rebuild before buying a new module.
Emissions / smog test impact
Depends
C0110 is stored only in the EBCM, so it doesn't affect an OBD emissions test. In states with a safety inspection, an ABS or StabiliTrak warning that stays on can cause a failure.
Frequently asked questions
Is C0110 the same as C0020?
It describes the same problem, the ABS pump motor circuit, but in GM's numbering. Ford and Chrysler-group vehicles use the SAE code C0020 for the pump motor, so the page that applies depends on your vehicle.
Can I send my EBCM out instead of buying a new one?
Often yes. Many GM EBCM failures are internal relay or solder problems that rebuilders fix, and a rebuilt original module usually doesn't need to be reprogrammed because it keeps its vehicle data.
Why did C0110 show up after a jump-start?
A deeply discharged battery and the voltage spikes of jump-starting can make the pump self-test fail. If the code clears and stays away after the battery is charged or replaced, the module and motor are likely fine.
Do I have to bleed the brakes if I only replace the EBCM?
Separating the EBCM from the modulator doesn't open the hydraulic circuit on most GM units, so bleeding usually isn't needed. Replacing the modulator or pump does require the scan-tool bleed.
Sources
- Manufacturer public service information (cross-checked)
- Methodology: How We Build Code Pages · Data Sources We Use · Editorial Policy