Traction control light
#1
10-01-2013, 04:54 PM
Active Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lake Tahoe
Posts: 137
Traction control light
Every so often the traction control warning light comes on (the orange squiggly lines with the vehicle in the triangle). This is on dry pavement.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.
#3
10-02-2013, 12:36 AM
Active Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lake Tahoe
Posts: 137
Re: Traction control light
How do you go about checking for worn speed sensors? Do they indicate wear to the computer, or is it a physical inspection.
If the later - is it something that I would see on a visual inspection?
If the later - is it something that I would see on a visual inspection?
#4
10-02-2013, 11:08 AM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 162
Re: Traction control light
This may be a Thottle Body or Thottle Posistion sensor issue - not wheel sensors. GM sent a letter to some Hybird owners just last month extending warranties to 10 years for Hybrid owners on the Throttle Bodies.
Your Dealer should know more - I will try to post the letter when I can.
Your Dealer should know more - I will try to post the letter when I can.
Every so often the traction control warning light comes on (the orange squiggly lines with the vehicle in the triangle). This is on dry pavement.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.
#5
10-02-2013, 05:56 PM
Ridiculously Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 940
Re: Traction control light
Any bumps while accelerating or corning and accelerating? The traction control is overly sensitive in my opinion.
Wheel speed sensors are 2-wire Hall Effect sensors reading pulses from rotating front wheel bearing toothed wheels and tone ring teeth on rear axle shafts.
Some larger tires and wheels can put a little more bending torque into the axle shafts causing a few teeth to be missed or skipped while cornering and forces like accel or braking.
So unless something hits another part... no real wear out per-se.
Next throttle body position sensor problems on many Small Block engines. The GM throttle position sensor system is another extra sensitive system. If all position sensing parts are not in perfect order, you get a light and reduced power.
Wheel speed sensors are 2-wire Hall Effect sensors reading pulses from rotating front wheel bearing toothed wheels and tone ring teeth on rear axle shafts.
Some larger tires and wheels can put a little more bending torque into the axle shafts causing a few teeth to be missed or skipped while cornering and forces like accel or braking.
So unless something hits another part... no real wear out per-se.
Next throttle body position sensor problems on many Small Block engines. The GM throttle position sensor system is another extra sensitive system. If all position sensing parts are not in perfect order, you get a light and reduced power.
#6
10-02-2013, 06:02 PM
Administrator
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,200
Re: Traction control light
my throttle body was fixed under warranty at 80k miles due to a clicking sound after turning vehicle off without driveability issues. speed sensor check is usually a continuity check on the sensor itself unless it can be done in the ecu box. physical inspection can also help but would still need continuity check.
#7
10-03-2013, 07:24 AM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 162
Re: Traction control light
I just retread the original post. My TC light does the same thing on twisty roads and dry pavement. My work silverado hybrid did it as well. I just ignore it. Flickering means it is "derating" the engine or applying the brakes on the slipping wheel to keep you from loosing traction. The system is WAY to sensitive because the lawyers made it that way.
There is a startup test on the TC system. It calibrates itself after every start and takes a few hundred wheel rotations to do it.
UOTE=LakeSilverado;249814]Every so often the traction control warning light comes on (the orange squiggly lines with the vehicle in the triangle). This is on dry pavement.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.[/QUOTE]
There is a startup test on the TC system. It calibrates itself after every start and takes a few hundred wheel rotations to do it.
UOTE=LakeSilverado;249814]Every so often the traction control warning light comes on (the orange squiggly lines with the vehicle in the triangle). This is on dry pavement.
When this happens it is almost always within a few minutes of starting, usually in cooler weather, and often when turning at very low speed. Truck is in 2WD.
It doesn't seem to throw any error codes - or at least the dealer hasn't found any. It isn't very reproducible, so hard to get take it to the dealer to diagnose.
Wondering if this happens to anyone else? Is it an indication that something isn't quite right - like a situation where the wheels are supposed to turn independently but don't, or aren't supposed to turn independently and do? Any suggestions about whether it should be pursued or not.[/QUOTE]
#9
10-03-2013, 11:00 AM
Active Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Lake Tahoe
Posts: 137
Re: Traction control light
Any bumps while accelerating or corning and accelerating? The traction control is overly sensitive in my opinion.
Wheel speed sensors are 2-wire Hall Effect sensors reading pulses from rotating front wheel bearing toothed wheels and tone ring teeth on rear axle shafts.
Some larger tires and wheels can put a little more bending torque into the axle shafts causing a few teeth to be missed or skipped while cornering and forces like accel or braking.
So unless something hits another part... no real wear out per-se.
Next throttle body position sensor problems on many Small Block engines. The GM throttle position sensor system is another extra sensitive system. If all position sensing parts are not in perfect order, you get a light and reduced power.
Wheel speed sensors are 2-wire Hall Effect sensors reading pulses from rotating front wheel bearing toothed wheels and tone ring teeth on rear axle shafts.
Some larger tires and wheels can put a little more bending torque into the axle shafts causing a few teeth to be missed or skipped while cornering and forces like accel or braking.
So unless something hits another part... no real wear out per-se.
Next throttle body position sensor problems on many Small Block engines. The GM throttle position sensor system is another extra sensitive system. If all position sensing parts are not in perfect order, you get a light and reduced power.
#10
10-03-2013, 12:08 PM
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 51
Re: Traction control light
LakeSilverado,
I am sorry to hear you are having this concern. If you would like for us to look into this further, you can reach out to us via private message. I know it can be frustrating when your concern can't be duplicated while at the dealership.
Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care
I am sorry to hear you are having this concern. If you would like for us to look into this further, you can reach out to us via private message. I know it can be frustrating when your concern can't be duplicated while at the dealership.
Erica Tiffany
GM Customer Care
