Traction control system failure caused accident
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,655
Likes: 24
From: Charleston SC
I don't think you have a case but will say that the TC in my 01 C5 is terrible compared to the my 94 C4. I have had the C5 sideways a few times now with normal acceleration and have chalked it up to the crappy Cooper Tires that came on the car but the TC on my C4 would never let the rear tires spin more than a split second before engaging
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
I don't think you have a case but will say that the TC in my 01 C5 is terrible compared to the my 94 C4. I have had the C5 sideways a few times now with normal acceleration and have chalked it up to the crappy Cooper Tires that came on the car but the TC on my C4 would never let the rear tires spin more than a split second before engaging
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: California
Google it!
There is actually a lot of info on exactly what I inquired about. The same thing happened to me before this incident. To be clear, no I wasn't driving like an idiot & the weather conditions were clear. Thanks Vette family for your input - I guess. Happy holidays.....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2,312
Likes: 8
From: Frisco Texas
Unless the traction system some how caused your wheels to lock up or your steering to lock up and the weather and conditions are good, I just don't see how you have a case. Just being honest.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,341
Likes: 8
From: Hopatcong New Jersey
There is actually a lot of info on exactly what I inquired about. The same thing happened to me before this incident. To be clear, no I wasn't driving like an idiot & the weather conditions were clear. Thanks Vette family for your input - I guess. Happy holidays.....
All we know right now from your post is you wrecked the car because the TC system failed to engage.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,842
Likes: 5
From: Enid Ok
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
Family doesn't always sugar coat things.
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,820
Likes: 34
From: Ravensdale WA
Family doesn't always sugar coat things.
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Ricers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 190
From: SoCal
Wow, everybody pile on...
Sorry, but I have to be the devil's advocate...
First off (using a legalism to relate to this) eye witnesses provide the most inaccurate testimony. i.e. he probably wasn't staring at the DIC when this occured, he was probably trying to save his car, and therefore doesn't know what the hell was exactly going on with AH/TC at the time. More info from the OP would help this immensely.
There are a few things (malfunctions) that will cause AH to activate on a good warm dry straightaway. One example: if your steering wheel position indicator is failing, the EBCM may receive a faulty signal. If the signal is off enough, the sensor may incorrectly detect a commanded turn (thinking you turned the wheel) even on a straight section of road. The EBCM will then expect a corresponding signal from the yaw sensors. When it doesn't get that signal (you're still straight) it will activate AH trough differential braking in an attempt to achieve that signal. This will be seen by the driver as an uncommanded and unanticipated activation of AH and a jerking motion of the car to one side or the other. If severe enough, it could theoretically cause an accident, especially if the driver overreacts to it.
Sorry, but I have to be the devil's advocate...
First off (using a legalism to relate to this) eye witnesses provide the most inaccurate testimony. i.e. he probably wasn't staring at the DIC when this occured, he was probably trying to save his car, and therefore doesn't know what the hell was exactly going on with AH/TC at the time. More info from the OP would help this immensely.
There are a few things (malfunctions) that will cause AH to activate on a good warm dry straightaway. One example: if your steering wheel position indicator is failing, the EBCM may receive a faulty signal. If the signal is off enough, the sensor may incorrectly detect a commanded turn (thinking you turned the wheel) even on a straight section of road. The EBCM will then expect a corresponding signal from the yaw sensors. When it doesn't get that signal (you're still straight) it will activate AH trough differential braking in an attempt to achieve that signal. This will be seen by the driver as an uncommanded and unanticipated activation of AH and a jerking motion of the car to one side or the other. If severe enough, it could theoretically cause an accident, especially if the driver overreacts to it.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I don't think you have a case but will say that the TC in my 01 C5 is terrible compared to the my 94 C4. I have had the C5 sideways a few times now with normal acceleration and have chalked it up to the crappy Cooper Tires that came on the car but the TC on my C4 would never let the rear tires spin more than a split second before engaging
handling of the 01 C5 was equalled only Ferrari's best.
By the was the C5 very won the comparison test.
Last edited by Dave68; Dec 15, 2012 at 11:56 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: Charlotte NC
Sorry. Didn't mean to take part in a pile on. But I would like to know what the symptoms are of a malfunctioning Traction Control. A loud screeching noise? Tire smoke? Perhaps followed by a loss of control should an imprudent driver not recognize these symptoms in time?
Hey, I hate for anyone to wreck their Corvette. But come on .....
Hey, I hate for anyone to wreck their Corvette. But come on .....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 219
From: West Branch, MI
I have a 98 also. Has TC but no Active Handling. OP, why don't you give us some more info as to what exactly happened and why you think that the TC could have been the reason for your accident. Your details are pretty sketchy....
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 18,681
Likes: 47
From: Reno is so close to Hell you can see Sparks , State Of Confusion
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Or Frank Zappa?
Dayummmmmmmmmm
Family doesn't always sugar coat things.
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Here is a video reenactment of it
http://www.ebaumsworld.com/video/watch/82962511/
Dayummmmmmmmmm
