Traction Control Off - Engine Warning Light On

[KiwiTT]

When I hard accelerate from stop and turn at the same time, sometimes my engine warning light turns on and traction control is off. If I stop the car, and restart, all is OK again.

Do I have a a problem that needs to be looked out, or do I need to accelerate a little slower, when turning.

[-LegnumVR4-]

Your traction control shouldn't turn off at all, only if you switch it off yourself. You can take the car into Mitzy to check the fault code on their computer.

You could also check your plugs for the traction control on the fire wall. There is a round grey cylinder near the window wiper motor which has 2 grey pipes coming off it that go to the engine, next to the cylinder INSERT INTO post VALUES (on the same bracket that holds a couple of other things as well) a couple of black plugs with wires going into the side of them. Check to see if they are connected right. Also check any of the pipes INSERT INTO post VALUES (from the grey cylinder) going the engine to see if they haven't come loose.

[Darren]

Post results here mate I sometimes have a similar problem

[zedy1]

unplug bvattery and leave it overnight and plug it back may cure the problem

[enigma]

Any ideas why I dont appear to have traction control???

[Brind]

Traction control on newer models is an optional extra, I don't have it either.

[Nick VR4]

Originally posted by bigdaveakers
Any ideas why I dont appear to have traction control???

I thinks its this

7G VR4's have traction control
8G VR4's have Active Yaw Control

[enigma]

OK thats cool, try as I might I cant seem to get it to break away anyway! Grip followed by grip with a dash of grip to finish!

[Brind]

Same here, I've had the tyre screeching arse clenching moments but never has it felt like it was gonna do something nasty on me.

[enigma]

I used to own an MR2 Turbo, and I think the VR4 would kick its ass round the twisties! Not bad for a load lugger! As I grow in confidence I will get closer to the limit INSERT INTO post VALUES (I will try not to go beyond it as I did with the MR2 on the way to pick the VR4 up!!!!!!!!!)

[Brind]

What happend??

[Nick VR4]

odd coz I was getting the AYC light coming on now and again mainly taking roundabouts hard ish

Thought it was a bit odd as i never had the lights showing before unless do some really hard driving :D
Went to fill with petrol today
Thought I know I'll check the tyres Whoops
All were a bit low pumped them up and no AYC lights now and sticks to the road :cool: :D

[SGHOM]

Originally posted by Nick VR4
I thinks its this

7G VR4's have traction control
8G VR4's have Active Yaw Control I must have a 7.5G VR4 then.:D 'cos I have both traction control & AYC !!

[Nick VR4]

Maybe the Traction Contol is intergrated with the AYC

[Spirit]

Nope, I have traction control and AYC also - optional extra on the 8G too

[Nick VR4]

Mmmm odd .... so how do you know you have both ?

I'm pretty sure I only have AYC unless the TC its hiding somewhere ? here kitty kitty or should that be here TCY TCY
:)

:confused:

[Brind]

On facelift models it is an extra.

Most grey imports have traction control and AYC because Japanese people expect more so their models tend to be higher spec.

There is a grey cylindrical pump on the bulkhead to tell if you have it, plus there is a light and an on/off switch for it also.

[Japmetal]

So far as I know the latest VR4s have AYC and TC [same spec as Evos] but as someone said, maybe they offered TC as an extra ?

[Nick VR4]

Cheers ...I'll go check in the morning its too dark out now :eek:
I dont like the dark :Cry1: :Cry1: lol:D

[Brind]

Originally posted by Japmetal
So far as I know the latest VR4s have AYC and TC [same spec as Evos] but as someone said, maybe they offered TC as an extra ?

They did, I remember seeing a Japanese advert saying so, also extra airbags were optional, sun roof, sports pack.

[Spirit]

Nick you would know if you had it as there is a TCL off switch on the dashboard, just to the right of where your keys would dangle and below the mirror switches

[Brind]

Circled is the pump.

[Spirit]

Spot on Mark, thats the baby !

[Nick VR4]

Originally posted by spirit979
Nick you would know if you had it as there is a TCL off switch on the dashboard, just to the right of where your keys would dangle and below the mirror switches


runs out to car it aint arf dark out :eek:

Nope no TC switch just me heated front glass switch and rear fog light switch
I didnt think i had TC :beerclash

[enigma]

No TC for me either................:Cry1: But hey as I haven't missed it I am not that bothered!

Next question.....where do I put AYC fluid??? I have a slight whining rumbling noise when turning right at speed INSERT INTO post VALUES (very minor) and I figured as I dont know the history of the car yet it may be worth changing all its internal juices!:rolleyes:

[Brind]

Originally posted by spirit979
Spot on Mark, thats the baby !

Shame I don't know where the ECU is.. :o ??

What is that thing I've circled?

[Brind]

In the saloon there is a small filler neck the right side of the boot.. could be in a similer location on the Legnums?

[enigma]

No idea what that is!!!! The ECU is behind the radio INSERT INTO post VALUES (ish) take of the passenger kick panel and it is there!

The AYC ECU is in the door side kick panel of the passenger side.

Dont know about the TC ECU though........be in one of those 2 areas I would guess as thats where all the wiring is!

[enigma]

AHA if the filler neck is in the boot I was looking at the wrong end! Where is the drain plug? And how do I know when it is full? :Ponder:

[Brind]

Originally posted by bigdaveakers
AHA if the filler neck is in the boot I was looking at the wrong end! Where is the drain plug? And how do I know when it is full? :Ponder:

That I don't know.
Mitsubishi normally do that as it requires specialist equipment to bleed and pressurise the system I believe.

Thanks for the ECU locations. :)

[BraindG]

i was speaking to extreme INSERT INTO post VALUES (aka-ralliart) they were saying they dropped ayc.. introduced traction ctrol.. drop that introduced ayc again... got confused.. sucked a lolly.. and decided to stay with ayc...

but seriously ayc was dropped. for TC... then AYC was re-introduced and another version of TC was introduced.. this was mid all our vr4's so there is no definite answer as yet.. but i have spoken to them.. and hopefully I can get an answer out of them soon! there is no certain answer for our cars as yet.. there seem to be so many variations of them!!

But there seem to be a lot of changes on the vr4!!


call extreme yourself if you don’t believe me!

[Spirit]

That thing you circled looks at bit like a heatsink so it it some sort of static cooler ?

[Nick VR4]

Originally posted by spirit979
That thing you circled looks at bit like a heatsink so it it some sort of static cooler ?

I think your right Pete
Maybe something to do with the 2 Fans on the rad for the AC or water temp or both ?

[Brind]

They probably dropped the AYC to make things cheaper.


It is a heatsink for something, its location by the fan must be for a reason.

[Darren]

my gls had that heatsink behind the fans too. i thought it might be to measure the ambient temperature of the engine bay, or I might be talking crap again.

[Pescha]

Ok I have had this problem with the traction light coming on and the engine light coming on. It is easily solved! What it is is the vaccum valve plugs have come loose, these are situated on the firewall, there are two of them. All you do is push them back into place! Mine only moved less than a mil but solved the problem. I also have AYC, in the middle of your speedo is three bars, they only come in use when your wheels are loosing traction and the computer keeps monitoring the wheels for traction so all 4 wheels have the best traction possible at that time. I also have traction control which in turn does the same thing, but it is slightly different, basically it doesnt allow you to wheel spin, for example burn outs/dounuts/fiqure 8's etc!

Cheers,
Pescha!

[hedonist]

Thanks heaps for that piece of information Pescha + Rhys. I 'HAD' the same TCL light comming on every now and then. Pushed the plugs on firmly and now....no more. Whew!

[KiwiTT]

I spoke to my ex-Service Manager. He said, it was strange my engine warning light was on. my traction control was off and my ABS light wasn't on. As he said the TC and ABS use the same sensors.

[KiwiTT]

It is in for my full "D" service including Cambelt tomorrow.

Where are the vacum valve plugs. So I can check them.

[Pescha]

Looking into the engine bay they are on the right side on the firewall, there are two of them push them in!

Hope this helps!

Pescha!

[-LegnumVR4-]

On the fire wall, about the same height as the chassis number. There is a metal bracket that holds a grey cylinder INSERT INTO post VALUES (right beside the wiper motor) with grey hoses coming out of it. One of the hoses leads to the black valves left of the cylinder.

[Freddy]

Regarding the engine light coming on, had the same problem. Turning the traction control off would solve the problem, but wasn't the cure. This went on for a week then the car had a service which happened to cure the problem. The service entailed a gearbox/engine oil change, ayc fluid change and also put in new cambelts. Don't know which helped the problem, but it hasn't come back. That was a year ago.

[zedy1]

when the engine management light lihts up raction contrl automaticcally switches off. this problem could be anywhere rh lambda sensor.plugs,coil, ect

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by Freddy
Regarding the engine light coming on, had the same problem. Turning the traction control off would solve the problem, but wasn't the cure. This went on for a week then the car had a service which happened to cure the problem. The service entailed a gearbox/engine oil change, ayc fluid change and also put in new cambelts. Don't know which helped the problem, but it hasn't come back. That was a year ago.

Did the same. Problem has gone away too. If it returns, I will check Vaccum valve plugs.

Thanks all.

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by Pescha
Looking into the engine bay they are on the right side on the firewall, there are two of them push them in!

Hope this helps!

Pescha!

It happened again after 4 weeks of nothing.

They were in a box that had ASC on the top ? If that was them, I removed the lid I have pushed them in. There did seem some movement.

I will see it it happens again tonight.

[zedy1]

if the engine manegment light lights up the traction control automatically switches off

[KiwiTT]

Does that mean, I could have another problem, not related to the Traction Control ?

It just had a Full "D" service. Would that not have identified something serious.

[zedy1]

next time if it happens take it to the dealers for a dionstic check while the lights on. if you reset it by switching the ignition off then you will not find the fault

[KiwiTT]

Will do. Thanks. Hope it occurs between 8-5.

[zedy1]

were praying for u

[KiwiTT]

Zedy1:

Looking at your list of Mods. Is the NOS included in your estimate of 400hp

[zedy1]

yes i have 75 bhp jets but the dealer i bought it from says i should be geeting 100+ bhp from the jets need do take it on rollers

[KiwiTT]

Have I got this right. From 280 hp to 400hp, 75 hp from NOS and the remaining 45 hp from your other mods. I understand that if you want to have NOS you need to make sure your other engine parts can take it too ?

[zedy1]

its a progressive system

[KiwiTT]

Before, I arrange any modding, I have got to do a lot more learning first. Club VR-4 is my place for that.

[zedy1]

first tip make sure ur power steering and alternater bels are fully tensed and in good condition :D

[zedy1]

when ur at the dealers next could u get a price for the valves and head gasket set fr the vr4 all 24 valves pls.

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by zedy1
first tip make sure ur power steering and alternater bels are fully tensed and in good condition :D

I had all my belts replaced at my last service, including those. Do you think I may need to go back to have them checked again. The Dealer did say if they started squeaking, I should come back. They haven't yet.

[Brind]

Nitrous Oxide: Just because you fit 75bhp sized jets that does not necessarily mean you will gain exactly 75bhp on top of your existing engines power.
75bhp jets for example is an theoretical power increase.

If you fit a 75bhp jet to a non turbo car, you may see only a 50bhp increase on your total output.
Turbo cars respond much better so from 75bhp jets you could quite easily see 100bhp increase.
Every engine design/condition will react totally different.
Turbo cars tend to gain more benefits from nitrous as the much lower temperatures gained from the gas can substitute items such as your intercooler and other engine components.
So the gas not only adds extra molecules of oxygen but the cooling effect helps greatly.

Using the proggressive contoller as Zedy wrote makes it possible to run on much more gas as the engine has more time to cope without putting instant strain on the engine all at once plus to avoid wheelspin which would greatly reduce any actual on the road acceleration as you simply lose grip when that power could be used to propell the car.

[Brind]

Originally posted by zedy1
yes i have 75 bhp jets but the dealer i bought it from says i should be geeting 100+ bhp from the jets need do take it on rollers

I've heard that you shouldn't use nitrous on a brake type rolling road or something like that... please check before you try it as if you try it on the wrong type of rollers you'll end up causing damage.

[KiwiTT]

My understanding of NOS was what I saw on Mad Max 2, and F&F 1 & 2. Progressive sounds like a really good system. As I said, I got a lot more learning to do here.

Incidently, I moved from a 140hp car to a nearly 280 hp car. INSERT INTO post VALUES (i.e. twice the power) I really don't want to improve the power until I get used to this last step first.

[Brind]

Best thing with nitrous is that your car is compeletely normal until you activate the gas.
I've kinda come from a car with only 167bhp and standard and yet it can quite easily match the 280bhp from the VR-4.. just not the top end.

I'd go for a nitrous system in a second if I could INSERT INTO post VALUES (warranty issues) as it gives the best of all worlds.
Only draw back with nitrous is that you only have power when you have gas!
It's in your engine for such a short space of time that damage unlike like popular belief is very rare if used correctly and of course you buy a decent system ie from Highpower who will gauarantee your engine if damage occurs that is the fault of their systems.

Using power increasing items such as, upgraded higher lift camshafts, boost upgrades, larger more efficient turbos etc etc is that the power increase is always there and consequently putting more strain on other components and effect your fuel economy and engine reliabilty and of course general drivability etc.

[zedy1]

youre right hee mark and is 25 quid to re fill

[Brind]

How long does that last for you? and how long did you use it to use it all up?

[zedy1]

cant reallly say, but when i installed it i did about three small runs approx 5 mins and a few static checks and it was empty then re filled it at pod used it on track once :Cry1: and never got to use it on the other engine needs to be re connected.

[KiwiTT]

Good point about other mods. Didn't think of that. I am still under warranty 33 months to go. Will do the tyres, brakes, INSERT INTO post VALUES (exhaust - maybe) before that expires.

[zedy1]

time to spend some money :D

[Brind]

Originally posted by zedy1
cant reallly say, but when i installed it i did about three small runs approx 5 mins and a few static checks and it was empty then re filled it at pod used it on track once :Cry1: and never got to use it on the other engine needs to be re connected.

Damn! :eek:
But then compared to other mods which only give very slight increases in comparison it is very worth it.


KiwiTT, All I've really got is an induction kit and cat back exhaust and they're quite a good first mod to do and they don't really effect fuel economy and they certainly don't interfere with my warranty.

[KiwiTT]

I have a HKS Air Filter already fitted.

[Brind]

Originally posted by KiwiTT
I have a HKS Air Filter already fitted.

Aha! you sly dog you. :cool:

[zedy1]

Originally posted by Brind
Aha! you sly dog you. :cool:



:D

[KiwiTT]

Now I am going to show my lack of understanding. No laughs please !!!

Is the air filter, the induction system or does it reside behind the air filter.

[zedy1]

the airfilter is the induction kit as far as im concerned

[KiwiTT]

:cool1: I am half way to Brind's mods.

Note this is how I purchased it.

[Brind]

The filter and exhaust were already installed on my car too.

The original air filter and assembly is basically an induction kit but an after market kit adopts the name.. basically an uprated induction kit.

I've got a better air supply to mine though.. simple modification aswell, and will maximise the benefit from the induction kit.
Heat shield is also a must with these.
I've got extra earthing aswell which provides extra power to bits and pieces and reduces nasty voltage drop.
The auto box appears to shift better now too.

[KiwiTT]

Originally posted by zedy1
next time if it happens take it to the dealers for a dionstic check while the lights on. if you reset it by switching the ignition off then you will not find the fault

It came on, on Saturday Night. No dealers open then. It didn't on Sunday, even after a little play. Also not this monday morning.

Am I doing any harm, if the engine warning light is does not turn on ?

[zedy1]

there not much harm if the engine light comes on but there could be not quite sure what turns it on but i think the following things could :

ignition timing out INSERT INTO post VALUES (crank,cam sensors
spark plugs and connectors include the 3 coils too
lamda sensor

[zedy1]

and forgot about

loose battery connection INSERT INTO post VALUES (the thin posative wire)
blown fuse
bad earth

[KiwiTT]

They don't look costly. Are they ?

[zedy1]

dont wanna comment on that :D

[KiwiTT]

If it is a faulty component, It will probably be covered under the warranty.

[zedy1]

its o right for some i dont have warranty, and personnally think its abit of rip off

[KiwiTT]

It happened this morning again as I came to work.:Cry1: Straight into the dealer for a MUT :typy: test.

Solenoid $93.00
Courier $25.00 INSERT INTO post VALUES (ex-Japan)
Labour 30 mins.

I await now 5 days for the part and then it will be fitted.

Not costly at all. :hurrah:

[zedy1]

the tip worked :cool1:

[KiwiTT]

Thank you. :bighug:

[zedy1]

no worries m8

[D.J]

Had the same problem with my Galant on the way home from work.
Tried fiddling with the vaccum pipes by the bulk head and problem now sorted.

Thanks.

[KiwiMR2]

Were having the same issue....trc loff light AND the check engine light......we had the TRC unit replaced on Friday (at our cost...like $250) and low and behold it came on again this morning. When it was origionally stuffed when the trc button was pressed nothing would happen. Then once it was swapped out the button pressed would make the trc off light come on then press again and it would go away, i recall seeing a green light on the dash with a pic of skid marks etc....when should that show?

Pressing the button what should it do??

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiTT]

When the engine check light turns on, it turns off the traction control as a precaution. Therefore you may not have a problem with the traction control itself but something else in the engine management. You need to drive it into a Mitsi dealer who has accessto a MUT-II to diagnose the actual code.

[Pescha]

Were having the same issue....trc loff light AND the check engine light......we had the TRC unit replaced on Friday (at our cost...like $250) and low and behold it came on again this morning. When it was origionally stuffed when the trc button was pressed nothing would happen. Then once it was swapped out the button pressed would make the trc off light come on then press again and it would go away, i recall seeing a green light on the dash with a pic of skid marks etc....when should that show?

Pressing the button what should it do??

Cheers
KiwiMR2


Did you check the little vaccum boxes on the firewall? They look like little matchboxes. There should be two together, push them even by 1/2 a mil worked for us....

Hope this helps!
Pescha

[KiwiMR2]

Yep checked that stuff, I think KiwiTT may be right, considering the traction control unit has been replaced and the problem still exisits. Normally when would the grenn pic of the skid marks be visable on the dash??

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiMR2]

Ah well, I give up :(

The traction control is all working fine....well I can turn it on and off, Im still uns-sure when I will ever see the green dash light with the skid marks icon etc. but at least I can turn it on and off via the switch. Since Tuesday there have been no check engine light so I guess I'll have to play a game of risk & see if we can get it through an AA check without any issue then get a warranty on it....then if something does go wrong it will be an issue for the warranty.

On a side note they have had it plugged upto the machines at mitsi and Im told it either doesn't pull a code OR when it does it pulls something that relates to the Sedan version of the VR4 rather than the Legnum VR4....aren't they the same motor?? Either way Mitsi say they have had quite a few problems with them getting the CEL and they don't know why :(

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiTT]

The CEL needs to lit up for the MUT-II to be able to read it. When I had mine I left the car running and got the mechanic to diagnose it. As soon as you switch the engine off it resets the code.

[KiwiMR2]

I just can't afford to stuff around with it anymore, It hasn't pulled a cel since monday so I've booked it in for an AA check on Monday, **** it would cost me a fortune in gas driving it around trying to get the cel to go on again ;)

Even when it was lit up the car would drive the same, hasn't really missed a beat.....only thing I don't like about it is the fuel consumption, would rate as the WORST I have ever seen.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiTT]

RE: Fuel Consumption.

Think about the fact you can beat most HSVs and SSs, the XR series. It runs very rich. But taking the smile of these brutes is all the better for it.

RE: The ECL

I was like you. I knew something was wrong. It felt like a pit in my stomach. However, it did turn on at the right time eventuaklly and then off I went straight to the dealer.

[KiwiMR2]

RE: Fuel Consumption.

Think about the fact you can beat most HSVs and SSs, the XR series. It runs very rich. But taking the smile of these brutes is all the better for it.



Yeah i can't complain about the performance, while I have only driven it a dozen or so times I have managed to give it a little stab against some other turbo cars and it does pull very hard....especially considering it's weight :)



RE: The ECL

I was like you. I knew something was wrong. It felt like a pit in my stomach. However, it did turn on at the right time eventuaklly and then off I went straight to the dealer.

Maybe it won't come on again, it's a tricky one as this is a car were selling....there is no pint us selling it with an error like that as the buyer will just be back on our doorstep asking us to sort it. Only other bugger is although were getting an AA check on Monday IF the buyer want's a warranty then it cost's another $80 for an apprasial to get the warranty...the apprasial isn't as in depth as the AA check but they still want it :( More money in there pocket I guess.

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiMR2]

Thinking about it....why is the Legnum VR-4 such a guzzler?? I mean my MR2 is more powerful & faster but doesn't go through anywhere near as much gas. Mechanicly why is it such a big drinker??

Cheers
KiwiMR2

[KiwiMR2]

Well we decided we should get Mitsi motors to sort it, dropped it this morning & collected at the end of the day. Results:

"Report on engine check light coming on, checked with board compuiter, found codes 71 and 77 logged, 71 "TCL" vacum circut, and 77 Solenoid operation, cleaned and secured all electronic plugs and pins as required, cleared fault code and reset computer as required, road tested, all ok"

$121.50

Drove 40 km's home....all great, went to the olds for diner, got in 3 and a half hours later to head home.....1 min after driving away the check engine light is on and the tlc off :(

Mitsi say they aren't provided with all the "diagnostic" software or equipment and if what they did doesn't sort it they may need to get it looked at by an auto electrician as they can't work out anymore than that.

I feel like ripping the two bulbs out, replacing the TRC button & selling it without traction control!! I won't but this is driving me nuts!!

Cheers
KiwiMR2