Traction Control Question....
 

My 97 SSEi Bonnie is doing ok, except I have a concern that the Traction Control isnt working properly.

With the traction on, if I am at the lights in the rain, and try to light up the tires, the wheels will spin, and only occasionally will the traction control come on. Usually I back off to get grip so I dont know how good its really working. Isnt it supposed to come on instantly :?:

I havent played with this too much (mainly cos my trans is dying and I dont want to leave it behind on the side of the road :shock: ) but does anyone know of any issues with the traction control on the 97 SSEi??

Cheers,

Croc.

Do you ever have the traction control light come on? What is the condition of your brakes?

brakes are good, no problems there. The light is off in normal operation, when I turn off the tractioin control, the "traction off" light comes on.

I dont see the light flash or anything when the wheels are spinning.

I guess my question is: is it possible to spin the wheels when traction is on ???

I know that mine can still spin, especially if I'm on ice or slush or something very slippery.

I've noticed that the car has to be moving in a lateral direction like on ice or snow for the traction control light to activate. Spinning the tires alone does nothing unless the car lurches sideways?

wow, that surprises me. Straight line traction would be important in an SSEi in the snow or ice huh !!!!

That gives me an excuse to get lateral under accelleration ! :lol:

I just did this today.. Dropped the hammer in second (bout 40mph or so) broke traction still going straight and the low traction light tripped on for a few seconds. No lateral motion that I could discern. It was damp on the roads with a light drizzle. Brand new Michelin Energy's too...I love this car...

I did that too, but I dont have TC... I was mad so I left in a huff... and I 'broke traction'.. :lol:

The older bonnevilles (1992 and a few years after) use applied braking. Should work in a straight line or a turn.

At some point (late 90's) to current, traction control is retarded engine timing.