How to Solve a Traction Control Light On Problem

“Traction Control Light On? 4 Common Causes and How to Fix Them”

The traction control icon will light on every time you start your car. But it should go off within a few seconds. However, when you have a traction control light on and it stays on, that’s an indication of a problem with the traction control system and probably the the anti-lock brake (ABS) system as well. When the traction control light is on steady, the traction control system is disabled, so drive more carefully until you get it fixed.

The most common causes of a steady traction control light on

You have an ABS problem like a bad wheel speed sensor, tone ring issue, or a wiring harness problem

Faulty wheel speed sensor are a common cause of a traction control light on condition. The traction control system need reliable input data from the wheel speed sensors. If there’s a fault somewhere in the ABS system, then the traction control system can’t work. Start your diagnosis by fixing the ABS related trouble codes first. For help is checking out an ABS related issue, see this post for more information

The steering angle sensor isn’t calibrated properly or is bad

The steering angle sensor is calibrated during an alignment and is used by the accident avoidance systems like traction control and stability control to help detect the driver’s steering intentions versus actual vehicle direction

In vehicles equipped with both traction control and stability control, a misadjusted or miscalibrated steering angle sensor can cause an issue with both systems. You can cause a mis-calibration yourself by turning the wheels while the car is raised and in the off position. In some cases, you can recalibrate a steering angle sensor by turning the steering wheel full left and full right while parked and idling. If that doesn’t work, any shop can recalibrate a steering angle sensor.

For more information on the steering angle sensor, see this post.

A Yaw Sensor sensor issue can cause a traction control light on condition

A yaw sensor measures unexpected rotational movement of the vehicle as measured from the sensor’s position (the pin in this image)

Some late model traction control systems have an integrated stability control feature that uses data from the yaw sensor. These sensors record the exact rotational angle of a vehicle in relation to its vertical axis and send this information to the ECU.

The ECU then analyses this information to identify impending skids or rollovers. So if one of these sensors stops functioning, you may see your traction light come on.

If the yaw sensor is inoperative, you should see a trouble code for the sensor

Mismatched tires can cause a traction control light on condition

The tires on your car must be the same diameter in order for the system to work properly.

How to diagnose and fix a traction control light on condition

It all starts with a scan for trouble codes. You’ll most likely see ABS related codes for wheel speed sensor(s). Fix those codes first as those on the most common causes. Next, diagnose any trouble codes for the steering angle sensor, yaw sensor or lateral sensor.

How does the traction control system work?

The traction control system gets data from the ABS system and in vehicles with stability control it also incorporates data from the yaw sensor, steering angle sensor and the lateral sensor.

While the ABS system detects and corrects loss of traction during braking, the Traction Control System detects and corrects loss of traction during acceleration. To regain traction it can stop the spinning wheel or cut engine power, or both.

©, 2022 Rick Muscoplat