Traction Control not working

Lee3333 · 11-13-2004, 03:29 AM

The traction control light on my 1999 SW2 does not stay on when the button is released. What could be wrong with it? Does the switch control a relay-if so where is it located?

Prior, the ABS was not working and I had a code 35 (right rear sensor malfunction). I discovered the wire harness to the ABS control modulator (under the master cylinder) was unplugged. This corrected the code and the ABS warning light being on, but my TCS is still not working.

Thanks for any ideas you can give me.

Lee

Anony00GT · 11-13-2004, 04:03 AM

Probably an error related to the ABS code. Check the sensor on the R/R wheel first.

Lee3333 · 11-13-2004, 04:13 AM

THe 35 code is repaired. Now, there are no codes-the only problem is the Traction control doesnt work. The status light is normally out. If I press it, the light only stays on while I hold it down. It is supposed to be on all of the time.

blackeagle · 11-13-2004, 04:18 AM

I am not that familiar with Saturn's but for most systems that have an IP light, the traction control light should not be on continuously unless the system is failed or disabled. It may also turn on briefly when first turning on the ignition or when the system is activating.

Lee3333 · 11-13-2004, 04:47 AM

The light I am talking about is on the switch itself. On my 93 it is on all of the time.

Robert-sl2 · 11-13-2004, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blackeagle

I am not that familiar with Saturn's but for most systems that have an IP light, the traction control light should not be on continuously unless the system is failed or disabled. It may also turn on briefly when first turning on the ignition or when the system is activating.

He is correct, the light on the switch should stay on constantly indicating the system is on, the indicator on the dash lights when it is actually engaged.

I would check all of the wheel sensors and wiring to start. maybe there is a reason the wire was unplugged at the master cylinder end?!?! I had a broken (dont ask how

) wheel sensor and what you described are the symptoms I was getting. The only difference is that the ABS warning light on my dash stayed lit also, but that could be because after the sensor broke I jsut removed it till I got a new one.

Lee3333 · 11-13-2004, 07:07 AM

There is an involved story why I believe wiring harness was disconnected. The car is 1999 but only has 18000 miles on it. In August, the car died. I had the car towed to a local repair shop that specializes in electronical problems and they said the PCM was bad. We questioned why this could happen to a car with so little milage. After many heated conversations with Saturn local and TN, my wife discovered that the car would actually be covered by the Federal emissions warranty. BUT the local dealer was not to happy. They tried to blame the PCM failure on my ignition cut off switch, then the alarm. (Both were installed on the car the day after I purchased it and did not cause any problem in 6 years.) Anyway, when I got the car back, the PCM was replaced but the ABS light was on, along with several other code lights. It seems the dealer never set the crankshaft variation. In addition, without my knowledge, the dealer removed my alarm and cutoff switch. Then, he cut all of the wires from the siren, fuse that powered my amplifer, and airhorns. He further traced my amplifer wire and cut it a second time where it ran through the car. Since my ABS was working prior to bringing it to the dealer, they must have been the ones who disconnected the harness.

SO now I still have to figure out what happened (or what they did) to sabatoge the traction control.

blackeagle · 11-13-2004, 03:56 PM

I would be really PO'ed at the dealer for doing all that work without your authorization. Have you tried to see if your traction control is actually working by trying to spin the tires? Since you do not have any current codes, everything should be working normally except maybe the light on the switch.

Lee3333 · 11-13-2004, 05:58 PM

I am furious at the dealer and am in the process of filing complaints with the BBB, consumers affairs, the and corporate headquaters. I am considering small claims court. But, I have been first trying to determine all of the damage they have created. The final thing is the TCS.

I tried spinning the tires and they did, so the traction control definitely is not working. I am looking for something they did that would not involve a lot of effort, like removing a relay or fuse.

Did I mention that when they returned the alarm system and wiring, they had removed the 5 inline fuses that were part of the system?

**Ssicarman** · 11-13-2004, 10:48 PM

If they replaced the PCM they would have had to reprogram th new one. Now I am not 100% but there is a good chance that one of the selections for the PCM reprogram is whether the car has traction control. If they missed saying yes to that then the system will not think that there is traction control and it will not work because it is "not" there.