Traction Control wont turn off.

[livebait]

I have a 98 Cat that when i spin a bit in the snow or on some dirt the traction control comes on like it is supposed to. The problem i have is that when i want to turn it off. The button marked TCS Off does not seem to tell the system to turn off. The only way that i can take the car off of Traction control is to turn the car of and then restart it.

Was just wondering if anyone had any idea's.

Thanks alot
Keith
www.livebaitandtackle.com

[Army_MP_From_MO]

If your in snow and your tires are spinning, why would you want to turn traction control off? That system is put in your Cadillac to keep it out of ditches and guard rails.

[todd2fst4u]

if you restart your car, traction control is automatically turned on.
when traction control is turned off, the light on the dash should be lit up

[MyOpel]

Originally Posted by Army_MP_From_MO

If your in snow and your tires are spinning, why would you want to turn traction control off? That system is put in your Cadillac to keep it out of ditches and guard rails.

Because often you need momentum to go through lots of snow or up a hill and with the TCS on it kills the engine too much and subsequently gets you stuck.

[livebait]

I understand what traction control is used for but when you slip a bit at the lights to the 400 hwy. the traction control will come on, so now one the highway i do not want to drive on the highway with this on. Thats why i would like to turn it off.
When i hit the button to turn off TCS nothing happens, it will remain in traction until the car is restarted.

[Army_MP_From_MO]

Originally Posted by MyOpel

Because often you need momentum to go through lots of snow or up a hill and with the TCS on it kills the engine too much and subsequently gets you stuck.

Sounds like you are describing the goofy winter driving button (the button with the snowflake)

[MyOpel]

No I’m not. The snowflake starts you off in 3rd gear and doesn’t limit your power or speed it just takes forever to get up to speed.
TCS primary function is to pull timing from the engine reducing RPM and limiting torque then it starts to apply the breaks on the spinning wheel (even if your foot is not on them)

[livebait]

Opel i understand what you are saying. I just am asking the forum if anyone has an idea as to how or why my traction control will not turn off when being told to by the button.
Thanks

[MyOpel]

Sorry for hijacking your thread, i was just responding to Army MP. I take it you live in Ontario. Take the car to your nearest Mr Transmission and have them scan the codes for free, even if the check engine light didn't come on. have you checked the fuses? Sorry i cant be of more help.

Originally Posted by livebait

it will remain in traction until the car is restarted.

This is confusing, so when you restart you think it is off?
When your TCS kicks in is there a light flashing in the gauge cluster? when you push the tcs button this light should come on (it indicates the TCS is OFF). Maybe the bulb is burnt out if you dont see the light.

[Brandon Meats]

I know what you mean livebait, I'm having the same problem on my 2000 SLS. When I push the trac on/off button, nothing happens. My understanding is that when you push the button the traction control should turn off allowing the wheels to spin without cutting the engine (which would be helpul in some snow situations where you need to rock the vehicle to get unstuck). Also an indicator light in the cluster should come on that says trac off or is displayed in the DIC. No matter how many times I push the button or hold it, the traction control still functions as it should. When I start my car, the DIC displays Service Satbility System. Don't know if that affects the traction control or not. My ABS light is on as well and my scan tool says that my RF and LR ABS sensors or hub assemblies are bad. Maybe this has something to with it. My guess is that with these cars the systems all work off of one another. If one part of a certain system isn't functioning properly, it may have an adverse effect on another system. Unless there is a fuse or something bad that the switch is not functioning allowing you or I to disable the system. I have the same issue so if you find anything out about yours, please post what you find out on here. Thanks!

[elvin315]

As I understand it the TCS is part of the ABS. In fact the computer that controls it is called the Electronic Braking - Traction Control Module (EBTCM). The ABS wheel sensors detect a rear tire spinning faster than the fronts and and pulse the rear brake of the offending tire. If you are getting fail codes at the wheel sensors that could be the problem. Or it could be the EBTCM itself. TCS doesn't affect the engine at all.