6 Reasons Your Traction Control Light Is On
Over the past few decades, there have been important advancements in vehicle safety that help drivers and those around them. One of these is traction control, which significantly reduces the dangerous phenomenon of wheel slippage.
However, sometimes an issue can occur where the traction control warning light on your dashboard suddenly comes on. But what is she trying to tell you? Read on to find out why this light comes on and whether you can keep driving until the problem is fixed. Common Causes of the Traction Control Light Turning On
Your vehicle’s traction control light can come on for a variety of reasons, most of which are related to some sort of system failure.
It’s normal for the check engine light to flash when traction is lost, but if your vehicle’s traction control or ABS light comes on for other reasons, it indicates a system malfunction. Some of these errors occur much more frequently than others. Below are some possible reasons why your vehicle’s traction control light may be turned on.
#1 – Faulty Wheel Speed Sensor
One of the most common reasons why your traction control light comes on is a faulty wheel speed sensor. These sensors are mounted on each wheel hub of the vehicle and record the relative speed of the vehicle’s wheels. If these sensors transmit a speed deviation between the wheel positions, the vehicle’s traction control system will intervene.
#2 – Inoperable Yaw Sensor
Modern traction control systems also integrate stability control and are equipped with special yaw sensors. These sensors are designed to detect the exact angle of rotation of the vehicle relative to the vertical axis.
This information is analyzed by the vehicle’s operating software to detect impending skids and rollovers. However, these sensors can fail over time, which can also cause the traction control light to come on.
#3 – Faulty steering angle sensor
Like the yaw sensor discussed above, steering angle sensors are standard on most modern stability control systems. These systems are also linked directly to the vehicle’s traction control system, which will cause the traction control light to come on if the steering angle sensor fails.
The steering angle position sensor calculates the approximate angle of the steering wheel relative to the vehicle’s current direction of travel.
#4 – Damaged cable
Damaged one or more of your vehicle’s speed sensor wires can also cause the traction control light to come on. Due to the close proximity of these cables to the vehicle chassis, this type of damage is actually much more common than most would expect. In most cases, damage to such cables will require replacement of the corresponding speed sensor itself.
#5 – Anti-lock Brake System Issues
Some manufacturers generalize the operation of the anti-lock brake system and traction control, indicating failure of both systems with the same fault light. In many cases, a failure in the anti-lock brake system will cause the traction control light to come on. Therefore, a problem with your vehicle’s ABS system may actually be the cause of your vehicle’s latest traction control light.
#6 – Module Error
In rare cases, your vehicle’s traction control module may be faulty, causing the traction control light to illuminate. However, it’s important to note that this type of problem is far less common than the other possible causes listed above. In fact, you’re much more likely to find a sensor-related error than a problem with the system module itself.
What is traction control? Simply put, traction control is a standard safety feature that helps prevent skidding, hydroplaning, and wheelspin in a variety of situations. It’s standard on domestically produced cars manufactured after 2012.
A vehicle’s traction control system is based on a series of sensors mounted on each wheel end. These sensors track the speed of each individual wheel in relation to the known speed of the vehicle in question.
When the wheel speed sensor detects that one wheel is rotating faster than all the others, it automatically applies the brakes at that wheel’s location, slowing that particular wheel in the process. In some cases, it also cuts off the transmission of power to that particular wheel. Should I continue driving with the traction control light on?
If your vehicle’s traction control light suddenly comes on, you can continue driving as normal. However, drivers should also be aware that the illumination of the traction control light indicates that the traction control system itself has been disabled.
As a result, affected vehicles will be more susceptible to skidding and loss of traction than if traction control was engaged.
With this in mind, a failure of the traction control system is unlikely to cause any significant or unusual problems. This type of system is essentially disabled when a traction control error is stored.
Finally, the traction control system is part of the standard safety equipment of your vehicle and should function accordingly. Traction Control vs. Stability Control
Many people don’t realize that traction control and stability control are not the same system. These two systems have similar purposes but differ in how they accomplish the task at hand. In general, stability control (AdvanceTrac, StabiliTrak, etc.) is much more advanced and comprehensive than most traction control systems.
This system also utilized a steering wheel position sensor, which relays data regarding a vehicle’s intended direction of travel. The result is a far more stable, safer vehicle for motorists the world over.