low trac light
#1
low trac light
I have a 97 Pontiac Firebird, V-6. Today out driving on dry roads as we came to a stop, the low trac light came on and I felt and heard some short clicking sounds up front. When we were stopped it went out. This happened several times. Is there any cause for concern?
Fritoguy15
Fritoguy15
#2
in general, traction control will kick in when one of the wheels is spinning faster or slower than the other, or "slip" is detected.
here's some info:
In 95 GM began offering ASR or Acceleration Slip Reduction (traction control), RPO code NW9 as an option on certain Fbodies. According to the GM Parts Manual, it was possible to have traction control with drum brakes from 95-97, although I have yet to see that configuration. The NW9 option continued up through 02 however drum brakes were no longer used after 97. The purpose of traction control is to apply brake pressure to a rear wheel when slip is detected on acceleration. Although it uses components of the ABS system to detect wheel slip, the traction control is not meant to control slip during braking, that is the job of the ABS, which was standard on all 4th Gen Fbody cars. ASR should also not be confused with SGS or Second Gear Start, a feature that could be enabled on some automatic transmission cars to deter wheel slip on take off. SGS is a passive slip deterrent, whereas ASR is an active slip detection and prevention system.
Rear End FAQ
question is - is you vehicle front or rear wheel drive?
are you sure road was ABSOLUTELY dry and one of the wheels did not hit a black ice patch or something?
do some research what particular ASR system is on your car. i'd start with locating sensors and cleaning them.
here's some info:
In 95 GM began offering ASR or Acceleration Slip Reduction (traction control), RPO code NW9 as an option on certain Fbodies. According to the GM Parts Manual, it was possible to have traction control with drum brakes from 95-97, although I have yet to see that configuration. The NW9 option continued up through 02 however drum brakes were no longer used after 97. The purpose of traction control is to apply brake pressure to a rear wheel when slip is detected on acceleration. Although it uses components of the ABS system to detect wheel slip, the traction control is not meant to control slip during braking, that is the job of the ABS, which was standard on all 4th Gen Fbody cars. ASR should also not be confused with SGS or Second Gear Start, a feature that could be enabled on some automatic transmission cars to deter wheel slip on take off. SGS is a passive slip deterrent, whereas ASR is an active slip detection and prevention system.
Rear End FAQ
question is - is you vehicle front or rear wheel drive?
are you sure road was ABSOLUTELY dry and one of the wheels did not hit a black ice patch or something?
do some research what particular ASR system is on your car. i'd start with locating sensors and cleaning them.
#4
The car has rear wheel drive, and I'm sure there was nothing on the road. Tires are all the same and pressure is good. This car was originally purchased in tennesee and I bought it used here in Florida. It does have the second gear switch in the car but we don't have any occasion to use it here in the Sunshine state as maybe the original owner did in Tennesee. I guess I will have my mechanic check the sensors for me and let me know if there is any bad ones or something.
Fritoguy15,chips4u&me
Fritoguy15,chips4u&me
#5
ok, so you have rear wheel drive with a regular ABS sensor somewhere in the rear axle and either a ring on a hub or in differential. just like on pics that i posted a link to.
that ABS sensor should be easy to get to. maybe check wires for any kinks, tares. sensors have tendency to simply build up crud on contact surfaces, it's easy to clean. of course, you may have a good pal mechanic that won't charge you arm and leg for this either.
that ABS sensor should be easy to get to. maybe check wires for any kinks, tares. sensors have tendency to simply build up crud on contact surfaces, it's easy to clean. of course, you may have a good pal mechanic that won't charge you arm and leg for this either.
#6
i took car to my mechanic and it did it one time for him so they checked the codes in the system and nothing showed up for them not even in history. So they said to drive it and if the light comes on and stays on they might be able to find what was causing it. Other than that just wait and see as they couldn't find and anything wrong. By the way no charge I've been going there for years, so I got a good one.
Fritoguy15
Fritoguy15