Traction Control Issue

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May 6, 2009 | 10:31 PM

c5blkvetteguy

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 2

From: Minnesota City MN

Traction Control Issue

I posted this before and now I have more info. My traction control on my '97 likes to turn itself on and off on its own. I have an aftermarket switch but it did the same thing with the factory switch or no switch. I noticed today that it does this only when the car is cold...when warmed up...no issue. At first other members said to look into a ground problem. Now that I found out its only when cold, I think ground would not be the issue. Any idea's? I am to this point

Please help!

May 6, 2009 | 10:51 PM

stingray4me

Burning Brakes

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 789

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From: Centerville Ga

my 99 traction control & abs lights come on when cold too. After I drive a bit & restart the lights do not come one. I heard it may be a wiring problem somewhere.

May 6, 2009 | 11:16 PM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

When it fails stop the car but leave the engine running and use the DIC to check which codes are present and report them here.

Bill

May 7, 2009 | 01:35 AM

Jistari

Safety Car

Joined: Apr 2007

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From: . New York

I also heard that the early (Gen 1) Traction Control units needed more time to warm up (or at least I have heard of the problem of getting a message on the DIC stating something about TC warming), so yeah, a 97 might be ok with that when cold.

But I see Bill has chimed in, you'll get a definitive answer shortly

May 7, 2009 | 06:40 PM

c5blkvetteguy

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 2

From: Minnesota City MN

B2597 Traction Control System Switch Circuit is my code. Like I said before, this happens with old switch, no switch, and new switch. Any thoughts?

May 7, 2009 | 09:56 PM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,013

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From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

The situation can be caused by the wiring or the ground connection. Here is the diagnostic procedure for the code:
DTC B2597 Traction Control System Switch Circuit

Circuit Description

The TCS switch circuit provides a ground input to the BCM when the switch is pressed. This input allows the BCM to detect a TCS ON or OFF request. If the BCM detects a ground on CKT 1571 with the TCS OFF, the BCM will send a message on the serial data line to the EBTCM to turn ON the TCS. If the BCM detects a ground after the TCS is ON, the BCM will send a second message to the EBTCM to turn OFF the TCS. The BCM monitors the TCS switch circuit and determines how long a ground has been applied. If the ground is applied for longer than expected, a malfunction is present and a DTC will set.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

The BCM detects a ground on CKT 1571 for longer than 60 seconds.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

Stores a DTC B2597 in the BCM memory.
No driver warning message will be displayed for this DTC.

Conditions for Clearing the DTC

The BCM no longer detects a ground on CKT 1571 for longer than 60 seconds.
A history DTC will clear after 50 consecutive ignition cycles if the condition for the malfunction is no longer present.
Use the IPC clearing DTCs feature.
Use a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

The following conditions may cause an intermittent malfunction:
- There is an intermittent short to ground in CKT 1571.
- The TCS switch is internally shorted to ground or is sticking.
- The TCS switch is pressed for longer than 60 seconds.
If CKT 1571 is shorted to ground, the TCS could remain ON or OFF at all times depending on whether the TCS was ON or OFF when the malfunction occurred. If the short occurred when the TCS was ON, the TCS will remain OFF at all times. If the short occurred when the TCS was OFF, the TCS will remain ON. The BCM will remember if the TCS was ON or OFF even if the ignition is switched OFF.
If the DTC is a history DTC, the problem may be intermittent. Perform the tests shown while moving related wiring and connectors. This can often cause the malfunction to occur. Refer to Intermittents and Poor Connections .

Test Description

The numbers below refer to the step numbers on the diagnostic table:
2. This test determines if there is a short to ground in the TCS switch circuit.
3. This test determines if the short to ground is located in CKT 1571 or in the TCS switch.

DTC B2597 -- TCS Switch Circuit Short to Ground

Step

Action
Value(s)
Yes
No

Were you sent here from the BCM Diagnostic System Check?
--
Go to Step 2
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Body Control System

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Disconnect the BCM connector C2.
With a test light connected to B+, probe BCM connector terminal (harness side) D15.

Is the test light ON?
--

Go to Step 3

Go to Step 5

3

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Disconnect the TCS switch.
With a test light connected to B+, probe the BCM connector terminal (harness side) D15.

Is the test light ON?
--
Go to Step 6
Go to Step 7

4

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Reconnect or install any connectors or components that were disconnected or removed.
Turn ON the ignition switch.
Clear any DTCs. Refer to Clearing DTCs .
Wait 60 seconds and check for DTCs.

Does DTC B2597 set as current?
--
Go to Step 9
System OK

5

Check the TCS switch circuit for an intermittent malfunction. Refer to Diagnostic Aids.
Was a problem found?

--
Go to Step 8
Go to Step 4

6

Locate and repair the short to ground in CKT 1571.
Is the circuit repair complete?

--
Go to Step 10
--

7

Replace the TCS switch. Refer to Electronic Traction/Suspension Control Switch in ABS Brakes.
Is the replacement complete?

--
Go to Step 10
--

8

Repair the intermittent malfunction.
Is the circuit repair complete?
--

Go to Step 10
--

9

Replace the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module Replacement .
Program the BCM. Refer to Body Control Module (BCM) Programming/RPO Configuration .

Is the replacement complete?
--
Go to Step 10
--

10

Turn OFF the ignition switch.
Reconnect or install any connectors or components that were disconnected or removed.
Turn ON the ignition switch.
Clear any DTCs. Refer to Clearing DTCs .

Are all DTCs cleared?
--
Go to Diagnostic System Check - Body Control System
--

Bill

Last edited by Bill Dearborn; May 7, 2009 at 10:07 PM.

May 8, 2009 | 10:05 AM

c5blkvetteguy

Thread Starter

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2008

Posts: 1,062

Likes: 2

From: Minnesota City MN

Thank you very much! I will check it out and see what the issue is. The bad part is the interior was all removed (stereo install) and now is back in. Time to remome a few parts. lol.

May 8, 2009 | 10:41 AM

Bill Dearborn

Tech Contributor

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 41,013

Likes: 9,775

From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)

Quote:

Originally Posted by c5blkvetteguy

Thank you very much! I will check it out and see what the issue is. The bad part is the interior was all removed (stereo install) and now is back in. Time to remome a few parts. lol.

That could be the cause of the problem if the wiring harness was damaged while the install was going on. I would check for shorts to ground on the wiring going to and from the switch. Maybe a wire got pinched when the interior was re-installed.

Bill