[deabionni]

The snow started flying up here, and the traction control seemed to be working like it should. However, on my way home from work tonight; the traction control seems to be engaging when it's not supposed to.

I was traveling on a slightly wet road, and had plenty of traction; but around 57MPH, the "traction active" message came on. I could tell it was engaged, because I had a noticable loss in power. I'd let the car coast down till it was under 55MPH, and the car would act normally. However, once I'd start getting above 55MPH; the "tracton active" message would pop up, and the car's power would be cut once again.

The weirdest part of this, was when I was going downhill. My foot was off the gas, and I was coasting around 45MPH; and the "traction active" message came on again. I couldn't believe that the traction control would engage when I was coasting downhill with my foot off the gas! :banghead: Is any of this normal? I've driven these roads in the rain, with the road wet and never had this problem before. :hmm:

I know that I can go into the "PCM Overrides" and disable the traction control; but I'd really rather not do that, as it really helps us get going at lower speeds. If I do have to override the traction control, would that disable the ABS as well? Or can I override the traction control without disabling the ABS?

 

[JC316]

The traction will come on anytime it detects one wheel moving faster than the others. I didn't think it worked above 35 MPH, I am not sure about it though. The only way to stop it, is with the PCM override or pulling the fuse. If it is coming on, one of your wheels is slipping.

 

[deabionni]

I highly doubt that one wheel was slipping at the speed I was traveling, but I guess that anything is possible. But if one wheel was slipping at that speed, then why would the traction control activate while I was off throttle and coasting downhill? Is there anything I can check to see if the traction control is going insaine?

And can I disable the traction control in the PCM Overrides without affecting the ABS?

 

[Ranger]

No, I think if you dsiable T/C, ABS goes with it. Check the connectors at each wheel. Mabe one just got some moisture in it. Also pull the codes. You may find one for a wheel speed sensor gone bad.

 

[ewill3rd]

Are they salting the roads?

Increased salinity in the water under the car can sometimes penetrate weak connections and cause erratic wheel speed sensor readings which would make the TCS and ABS systems operate erratically.
Sounds like maybe you have an undercar harness issue.
If TCS is coming on it should be on the front axle.

 

[deabionni]

They salted the roads earlier that day, so I'll hve to double check those connecters.

On my way to work this morning, the car worked fine and the traction control never engaged. Who knows, mabey there was a little ice on the road; and mabey the tire was slipping a bit.

 

[buzz]

I can't relate to your experience; but, I do know if I want to get in my driveway when it is covered with several inches of snow, I have to disengage the TC. Otherwise, the car just stalls. With the TC disengaged, I can get the wheels to spin and gain forward movement through the deep snow.

I experienced this with our '00 Oldsmobile Intrigue as well. This appears to be one of those conditions where TC works against you.

As far as your experience is concerned, I have seen the TC Engaged indicator on other cars I owned while travelling on the freeways in the Mpls/St Paul area. In all cases, I was just travelling with traffic, and apparantly the road conditions were just slippery enough to cause the system to engage. In all cases, it forced me to let off the throttle suddenly and I'm not sure if this is the best thing to do given the conditions. I've been driving for nearly 50 years, and trained to make any and all movements subtle when road conditions are wet and/or slippery.

 

[Ranger]

I can't relate to your experience; but, I do know if I want to get in my driveway when it is covered with several inches of snow, I have to disengage the TC. Otherwise, the car just stalls. With the TC disengaged, I can get the wheels to spin and gain forward movement through the deep snow.

I experienced this with our '00 Oldsmobile Intrigue as well. This appears to be one of those conditions where TC works against you.

That is the exact reason for the Traction Disable button.