Hello forum member. A buddy of mind has a friend with a 98 vert. They brought the car over to my house so I can run the codes because of the check engine light was on. Bottom line the check engine light was on for a bad air pump but he's having a issue with his traction control that I've never heard of. This is what he sent me in a email because I haven't had the chance to drive the car.

We were merging into traffic on the highway and the car didn't seem to pickup speed. He pressed the traction control button and I felt an instant surge of power. I was told that the car always do this when you need to accelerate quickly like merging onto the freeway. If you are just cruising along it seems to be fine. Would that bad air pump have anything to do with this?? or would it be something with that traction control itself?

Has anybody ever heard of this issue before. When I ran the codes there was no codes for traction control that came up. Only mod on the car is the wheels. He running y2k rims and his TPMS error codes comes on the dash. I think the TPMS are not installed on the tires or are dead but that shouldn't mess with this acceleration issues.

Any help would be great.

 

Whats the air pump code?

The TCS will moderate the application of power so if he's turning off the TCS I guess you'd feel a difference in traction. If there are no codes it should be working normally

The only issue I can think is that the EBCM can store codes only accessible using ascan tool but the one I'm thinking of only affects power steering not traction:

The MAGNASTEER system has software contained in the Electronic Brake Traction Control Module (EBTCM) (1). The EBTCM (1) processes vehicle speed information from the ABS wheel speed sensors and the steering wheel position sensor to provide a control signal to the MAGNASTEER actuator located in the power steering gear.

If a malfunction occurs a Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) is stored in the EBTCM (1) for the MAGNASTEER system. No warning lamp will come ON during the malfunction. When a malfunction occurs the DTC can be retrieved using a scan tool. If a MAGNASTEER DTC exists a difference in power steering effort may be felt. Normal ABS/TCS functions will remain active.

 

Air pump code was 10 PC P0410 H.
TPMS code was B0 - RFA C2120 HC

From what I'm hearing from my buddy the dealership is going to replace the air pump but they don't know what the problem is for the traction control. The owner thinks once the air pump is change it may fix the acceleration issue. I have a feeling it won't.

 

FWIW this is the description for the P0410 but its an H code so its cleared.

DTC P0410 Secondary Air Injection (AIR) System

Object Number: 102038 Size: MF
Click here for detailed picture of above image.
Circuit Description

An AIR pump is used on this vehicle to lower tail pipe emissions on start-up. The PCM supplies a ground to the AIR pump relay, which energizes the AIR pump.

The PCM monitors the HO2S voltages to diagnose the AIR system.

During the AIR test the PCM activates the AIR pump during closed loop operation. When the AIR is activated, the PCM monitors the HO2S voltages and short term fuel trim values for both banks of the engine. If the AIR system is operating properly, the HO2S voltages should go low and the short term fuel trim should go high.

If the PCM determines that the HO2S voltages for both banks did not respond as expected during the tests, DTC P0410 sets. If only one sensor responded, the PCM sets either a DTC P1415 or P1416 to indicate on which bank the AIR system is inoperative.
Conditions for Running the DTC

DTCs P0101, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0112, P0113, P0117, P0118, P0300, P0325, P0327, P0335, P0441, P0502, P0503, and HO2S DTCs not set.
The engine operating.

The engine operates for greater than 20 seconds in short term fuel trim cell 20.
Engine speed is greater than 550 RPM.
Maximum air flow is 22 g/s.
ECT is greater than 60°C (140°F).
IAT is greater than 10°C (50°F).
Ignition voltage is greater than 11.6 volts.
Engine load is less than 34%.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

HO2S voltage does not go below 222 mV for 1.2 seconds.
Short term fuel trim does not go above a predetermined amount.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

The PCM illuminates the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) on the second consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails.
The PCM records the operating conditions at the time the diagnostic fails. The first time the diagnostic fails, the PCM stores this information in the Failure Records. If the diagnostic reports a failure on the second consecutive ignition cycle, the PCM records the operating conditions at the time of the failure. The PCM writes the conditions to the Freeze Frame and updates the Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

The PCM turns OFF the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) after 3 consecutive ignition cycles that the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A last test failed, or current DTC, clears when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
A history DTC clears after 40 consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
Use a scan tool in order to clear the MIL and the DTC.

 

The C2120 is to be expected if he hasn't fitted TPMs. The RFA is looking for the signals and not finding them so it sets the code.

 

You mentioned he has Y2K wheels. Does he have 18" wheels on all four and if so what size tires is he running? If his fronts are taller than his rears, that could be the issue.

 

That's what I thought. I thought if it was a H code then it cleared it self out. But the stealership said the air pump is bad.

Good question. I think he's has a 17/18 set up but I really don't know. I sent my buddy the link to this thread for his friend. Hopefully he will read it and get the info to me ASAP.