Traction control systems are designed to prevent loss of traction of the driven road wheels in certain circumstances.
They work by controlling engine power delivered to the drive wheels, reducing it if they begin spinning faster than the tires can make adequate contact with the underlying surface.
The traction control system can reduce power in response to an excessive difference between throttle position and engine speed or when lateral acceleration is too high, for example during accelerating following a turn at excessive speed.
If your traction control light won’t turn off you came to the right place read on to find out the main reasons.
In short, the common reasons why your traction control light stays on are either because of a faulty steering angle sensor, failed wheel speed sensor, or programming issues in a car.
Table of Contents
What Is The Main Purpose Of Traction Control In A Car?
The main purpose of traction control in a car is to help the driver maintain control of the vehicle by ensuring there is enough traction between tires and road surface this helps it to keep its balance.
This helps the driver maintain control of the vehicle and prevents the car from slipping in slippery wet conditions.
This helps the driver to maintain control of the vehicle as it will only allow the vehicle to spin fast enough to keep contact with the road and avoid hydroplaning or loss of control.
How Does A Traction Control Light Work On A Car?
A traction control light works by controlling engine power delivered to the drive wheels, reducing it if they begin spinning faster than the tires can make adequate contact with the underlying surface.
One of the key things a traction control system does to engage is checking the vehicle stability and steering and consistently monitors for loss of traction through sensors found in your vehicle’s wheels’ speed sensors.
It will keep an eye on the speed and position of your vehicle to ensure you have enough traction between tires and road surface to avoid loss of control in rainy or snowy conditions.
Possible Reasons Why Your Traction Control Light Stays On
1. Bad Wheel Speed Sensors:
Wheel speed sensors are one of the main reasons your traction control light is going to stay on.
It will check to see if all four of your tires are rotating at the same speed and if they’re not then this is an indicator that there is a problem with your traction control system.
2. Failing Steering Angle Sensor:
Another reason why your traction control light will most likely stay on is because of a faulty steering angle sensor.
This is one of the main things that cause a traction control light to stay on as it fails to tell the car what gear you’re in, where your front wheels are turning at and if they are turning too fast then this can cause a traction control system to go into overcompensation mode or stability mode.
3. Damaged Steering Rack:
Another common reason why your traction control light will stay on is because of a damaged steering rack.
A faulty steering rack can cause traction problems for your car and if it’s not working properly then it may engage the traction control system at an improper time.
That being said, a damaged steering rack can cause many other issues such as; warning lights on the dashboard, rough ride, or loss of power when trying to accelerate.
4. Faulty Rotational Speed Sensor:
Another reason why your traction control light may stay on; faulty rotational speed sensor, commonly found in the front wheels.
This is one of the main reasons why your traction control light will stay on because it can’t tell if your wheels are turning fast enough and if it does work then it’s constantly trying to engage.
5. Faulty Wires:
Sometimes your issue with your traction control light staying on can be a wiring issue.
Weak or bad wires can cause your vehicle to not have enough traction and if it’s not at all then the car may have no power.
6. Faulty Computer Software:
Sometimes a faulty computer software may also cause your traction control light to stay on, this is one of the main reasons why your traction control light will stay on as it could be giving you false signals and telling you that you don’t have enough traction.
If your car has new software then it could be the reason why your traction control light stays on as it may not have been updated correctly.
7. Loose Or Faulty Front Tires:
Loose or faulty front tires can also cause a traction control system to stay on because they may not be performing the way they should be and that can cause your traction control light to stay on.
How Do I Fix My Traction Control Light?
Before taking the vehicle to the mechanic I recommend you do a car reset since this will help you troubleshoot your traction control system and it’s a really easy process to do.
I would recommend you take your car to the nearest mechanic and have it checked for any error codes since these will pinpoint the main cause of your traction control light staying on.
Should Traction Control Be On Or Off?
It is recommended that you keep your traction control on at all times and only turn it off in emergency situations such as trying to avoid hitting an obstacle.
Conclusion
I hope this guide helps you diagnose your traction control light staying on the problem and get it fixed as soon as possible.
Armed with this information I hope you can find the root cause of your problem.
My name is Yusuke Kohara, and I am a passionate SEO expert. I am also the founder of TaxiHack alongside my business partner, Tahir Azam. Our journey began in late 2020 after I escaped the clutches of a despised job in Osaka. Determined to excel, I became a full-time web publisher and directed all my attention toward the growth and development of our site. At TaxiHack, our primary objective is to establish ourselves as the most esteemed automotive media platform, acknowledged by enthusiasts worldwide. We strive to surpass competitors by delivering exceptional content that goes above and beyond. But our mission extends beyond personal success. Recognizing the dominance of large car dealerships, insurance agencies, and rental companies in the online automotive space, we became advocates for smaller businesses and independent automotive web publishers. We firmly believe that with a strategic approach, even modest companies like ours can generate substantial traffic while maintaining a sustainable livelihood. Learn more about Yusuke.
