Traction Control Module?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
Traction Control Module?
Hey Guys,
I need help. Recently, my 1998 corvette had a problem. While cruising about 40 mph, about 3 miles into my trip, the check engine light came on along with reduced power message and traction control light. My car would not go over 20 mph and I had to limp the car home. Even though I pressed the accelerator down as far as it would go, it would not rev up high enough to go over 20 mph. I let the car sit over the weekend and took it to the dealership on Monday. I started the car Monday morning and had no problems and no warning lights/messages and it drove fine. The dealership diagnosed the problem and told me that I needed a new traction control module and it would run me about $700.00, 2 hours labor and about $500.00. First question is, does this sound like a typical module that needs replacing and if it does, can I replace the module myself? I'm fairly mechanically inclined but don't want to get in over my head. I also don't want to pay for a module that I might not really need. Any advice?
Thanks,
KP
I need help. Recently, my 1998 corvette had a problem. While cruising about 40 mph, about 3 miles into my trip, the check engine light came on along with reduced power message and traction control light. My car would not go over 20 mph and I had to limp the car home. Even though I pressed the accelerator down as far as it would go, it would not rev up high enough to go over 20 mph. I let the car sit over the weekend and took it to the dealership on Monday. I started the car Monday morning and had no problems and no warning lights/messages and it drove fine. The dealership diagnosed the problem and told me that I needed a new traction control module and it would run me about $700.00, 2 hours labor and about $500.00. First question is, does this sound like a typical module that needs replacing and if it does, can I replace the module myself? I'm fairly mechanically inclined but don't want to get in over my head. I also don't want to pay for a module that I might not really need. Any advice?
Thanks,
KP
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 10,976
Likes: 21
From: FL
St. Jude Donor '13
A faulty traction control module will not result in a check engine light or cause the reduced power mode.The engine light is for emissions related faults.Are you sure that they didnt say TAC (throttle actuator control module)???
When ever there is a check engine light,the service traction control message will also display in conjunction.This does not indicate a fault with the traction control.It simply means that the traction control is inhibited when there is an emissions related fault.
When ever there is a check engine light,the service traction control message will also display in conjunction.This does not indicate a fault with the traction control.It simply means that the traction control is inhibited when there is an emissions related fault.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
Not traction control but electronic brake control module
I'm sorry. In my earlier post, I said that the dealer said I needed to replace the traction control module but in reality it was the electronic brake control module. I finally found the dealer estimate. Is there a cheaper solution out there than the $467.69 for part and labor at $176.88?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Sorry, but I'm still confused. The Electronic brake should throw a service vehicle soon message, but NOT toss a check engine light. It should toss the trac control. The only reason I'm asking is that my 98 did the same thing, but the cause was an intermittent loss of comm from the throttle actuator control module to the PCM. in other words, my TAC is going south
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 5
From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
check to make sure your battery is not leaking on your PCM - that's what happened to me when I had those symptoms (the entire harness had to be replaced)
also you may need a tach module update (not sure if that was what it was called - I'll go through my service records and repost if I am wrong)
good luck
also you may need a tach module update (not sure if that was what it was called - I'll go through my service records and repost if I am wrong)
good luck
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Manassas VA
Will check further
Thanks for the advice. I will check all of the suggestions. I hope I can clear this up. Just to let you all know that the vehicle, when purchased, already had a "service vehicle soon" message displayed and I had driven the vehicle only about 300 miles since purchased used. I had planned to take the car to the dealership when this problem occured.
From my memory, the sequence and messages/lights that came on were as follows:
-traveling 40 mph, only 3 miles into trip
-car abruptly slowed down
-reduced power light/message
-check engine light
-service traction control message
-could not accelerate more than 15-20 mph
-vehicle set for 4 days and started fine - no lights/messages except for service vehicle soon
So based on this information, I'm not sure what I need to have replaced. I'll check for leaking battery. Not sure if I should take to a different dealer or what? I don't want to spend close to 700 bucks and find out that it wasn't the problem. Any more advice is greatly appreciated.
From my memory, the sequence and messages/lights that came on were as follows:
-traveling 40 mph, only 3 miles into trip
-car abruptly slowed down
-reduced power light/message
-check engine light
-service traction control message
-could not accelerate more than 15-20 mph
-vehicle set for 4 days and started fine - no lights/messages except for service vehicle soon
So based on this information, I'm not sure what I need to have replaced. I'll check for leaking battery. Not sure if I should take to a different dealer or what? I don't want to spend close to 700 bucks and find out that it wasn't the problem. Any more advice is greatly appreciated.
