dlamb89

Just now, I was giving it throttle, from idle, as any other time, and it picked up, then suddenly stopped throttling, then did that all over again multiple times within a few seconds, (as if I pushed on the gas pedal for a fraction of a second consecutively a bunch of times)." TRAC OFF" light came.on right after. I pulled over cause I was frightened and on the freeway, bit after waiting 30 secs and starting up, it drove just fine, but the TRAC OFF light was still on. First time happening. Any ideas? I know the.light means the traction control system, but is it possible the transmission is bad? I only ask cause it felt like it was trying to throttle but didn't, but that could be anything. Please give me your two cents. I have to drive back home for am hour and a half tomorrow morning. It would be nice knowing I can get back.home safe.

Thanks,
Dave

Power6

I'd say something is wrong with the ABS/trac system. At least it realizes something is wrong and disables the system! That sounds like how it works though, it thought you lost traction, it dials back the throttle so you get that "car won't go" feeling. Your trans is likely just fine.

If the Trac comes back on you can manually turn it off with the button until you have a mechanic check the car.

dlamb89

Thank you so much for your reply. I'll turn it off and see what happens.

On another note, where I've been driving has lots of change in inclines, right before it did what it did, my girlfriend recalled I made a sharp u turn right before it did this. Could that and the combination of the inclines have anything to do with throwing the sensor off?

dlamb89

For some reason, the TRAC OFF switch does nothing. I tried pressing it before ignition, after ignition, and held it down, yadda yadda ... Nothing. What gives?

tomf

The first thing you need to do is check for a pending error code with an OBD2 reader. If the ECU detects a pending problem it will turn off the TRAC system to prevent any potential problems. Some of examples of errors that will turn off the TRAC system would be A/F sensor or knock sensor problems or there could be a problem with the trac system. Hard to say what the problem is until you check for an error code.

The Trac off switch will do nothing when the ECU shuts it off for safety reasons. The trac off switch will not operate until the problem is cleared. If you wanted you could clear the system by disconnecting the battery. Then the track switch should work but once the ECU detects the problem it will turn off the trac system.

dlamb89

OK, thanks for the input. Ordered a ODB II scanner, it's on the way. I'll reply when I have the codes