TCS Codes & Reduced Engine Power
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 125
From: Park Ridge Illinois
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
TCS Codes & Reduced Engine Power
I was driving yesterday and got to the local car show when all of a sudden the car wouldn't move anymore when I was in gear. That's when the reduced engine power message came on with the check engine light. Car was running rough like it wasn't on all 8 cyclinders. After turning the car off and on a couple times I finally got the car to move so I can park it and check the codes. Here are the codes that I found. 10-PCM P 1518 H (PCM to TAC Module Serial Data Circuit) 28 - TCS C1278 H (TCS Temporarily Inhibited by PCM) C1281 H (Steering Sensor Uncorrelated Malfunction) C1286 H C (Steering Sensor Bias Malfunction) & C1288 H which I can't find at all on the DIC code list. Well after checking the codes and letting the car sit, I started the car and had no more check engine light. I drove the car home and the check engine light never came on and car had full engine power, everything was back to normal. Looking to find out if anyone has had this happen and what the problem was. Was this some fluke thing or is a TCS part or sensor starting to go? I had plans to go to the track today, but having second thoughts now.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 993
Likes: 0
From: PA
Hi,
I had the same thing happen to me. I was told it may well be the TAC, I have a 98 and the early years are nortorius for having TAC issues. I haven't done anything about it since and it hasn't come back. Been about 4 weeks. It will need to get looked at in the near future though.
As for the steering wheel stuff, there is a sensor on the steering column that determines the rate of turn, if any, and inputs into the traction control along with the ABS to aid in vehicle control. The service manual provides a diagnostic procedure to determine if the snesor requires adjustment, or needs to be replaced. I got that too, but haven't addressed it yet. :-(
HTH,
Joe
I had the same thing happen to me. I was told it may well be the TAC, I have a 98 and the early years are nortorius for having TAC issues. I haven't done anything about it since and it hasn't come back. Been about 4 weeks. It will need to get looked at in the near future though.
As for the steering wheel stuff, there is a sensor on the steering column that determines the rate of turn, if any, and inputs into the traction control along with the ABS to aid in vehicle control. The service manual provides a diagnostic procedure to determine if the snesor requires adjustment, or needs to be replaced. I got that too, but haven't addressed it yet. :-(
HTH,
Joe
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 10
From: Macomb MI
1518 is the airflow check on the drive by wire TB. ITs a set table that check up against the MAF to make sure its not going haywire. 1278 was thrown due to the 1518. Common on boosted cars and the table may need to be increase.
The other TCS codes are interesting..1286 is the top flyier!
Did you happend to have the steering rack out recently? incorrect index is more than like the casue of the problems. But, looking at the rest of them as a whole and it may very well be your steering sensor on the bottom of the steering column.
Phil
The other TCS codes are interesting..1286 is the top flyier!
Did you happend to have the steering rack out recently? incorrect index is more than like the casue of the problems. But, looking at the rest of them as a whole and it may very well be your steering sensor on the bottom of the steering column.
Phil
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 125
From: Park Ridge Illinois
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2021 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Phil, steering rack was out about 2 months ago. I know when I bought the car used the steering sensor was replaced under warranty. But since then I've put a used telescopic steering column in. Its been in the car now for a couple years. How often do these steering sensors go out and are they different throughout the years? I have to check to see if my old non telescopic steering column still has a sensor on it. Thanks, 
