I know this probably sounds like a stupid question..but i dont know much about c5s and this is my first week with my 99. I noticed something weird today..and it happened before. I drove by the mall and remembered i forgot something..i pulled into the left lane to make a u-turn. Making a quick u-turn with a little gas...the car had hesitation somewhere in the turn. Kind of like when you make a quick turn in a car thats almost out of gas..except i had 3/4 of a tank. The car had its traction control on...and i didnt know if that had something to do with that hesistation feeling..or do you think somethings wrong?? Sorry im just getting broken into this car..any help would be appreciated.

 

everybody i've talked to says no .. but I swear the car drives differently when it's off verses on ..

 

If you were giving it enough throtle to cause it to break loose, yes.

I believe the early cars have a more aggressive traction control setup.

Sure it wasn't the positrac clutches?

 

it did start to break free..then it hesitated, ..the traction control is always on..unless i shut it off

 

Sounds like traction control to me

 

Then it did exactly what it was supposed to do.

 

 

 

im reading the manual right now..lots of stuff to swallow..thanks for the info guys..

 

I believe there is also a sensor for excessive lateral G force that does some kind of control action too.

 

Turn the traction control OFF and do the same thing. Of course the result may be a 360 instead of a 180.

 

Okay, if your car is a 1999 model or up, you have a "Comp" mode as well. There are 3 modes. Traction ON, OFF, and Comptetion mode. Here's what you do, PUSH on to the traction On/Off button, and keep it pressed for 5-10 seconds. Now if your car is a 2001 and up, you'll have to push it for 5 second, while driving or stopped. But if its a 99 and up, you might have to be in a stopped position, and push it for 10 seconds. Try both ways. What does this do? Well, it will shut off the traction, so you can take off the line in a hurry, but it won't let you skid into a 360* or loose control on turns. Best of both worlds...

 

On 99s AH was an option. He may only have TC with a lateral G sensor.

Bill

 

Yes, traction control (TC) does make it hesitate.

You could turn it off and see what happens, but if you don't know what TC does, I would suggest not finding out that way.

 

Yes, I feel the difference also in my '99. When I turn TC off (competition mode) there is less slip and it enagages smoother in first gear. With it on, the clutch is like a light switch, off or on, and very easy to stall. Tom

 

I get hesitation with the traction control on going into 3rd gear .

 

OK I have a 2000 FRC and all I have is a traction control push button on or push it for off. Does the hold it down for 10 sec. still work?

 

No question is stupid....Here's what's probably happening...It looks like traction control is kicking in....As you made your turn..the outer wheels sped up and the inner slowed down...It is very likely that one wheel lost traction for just a split second and the computer kicked in and used one of it's "torque managment" routines to reomve torque from the engine to prevent futher tire spin....Wether it is a little tire spin...or you're trying to do a smoke show...The computer decides how "out of control" you are and selects what it feels is the appropriate amount of TORQUE REDUCTION needed to prevent any futher loss of traction. Usually, the computer will decide to remove (for instance) 50% of torque and (depending on the calibration) might decide to pull 37 degrees of timing or somethign close to that.....can you imagine what an instant removal of 37 degrees of ignition timing feels like...??? You might not have even been advanced by that much in the first place.....The motor continues to run and will not stall.....but....will not make ANY power either.....This continues untill the wheel spin stops......Untill the next time.

Many people misunderstand traction controll and assume it has to do with the brakes or is part of ABS...These systems work together and pass information to each other....but, It is likely TORQUE MANAGMENT that you are feeling....There is no on/off switch for it, but...a bunch of parameters in the calaibration which we modify to allow the driver to have some fun.....without making the vehicle unsafe to drive.....

If you are interested in modifying the computer to prevent this type of computer intrusion....give me a call.....Torque managment can be safely removed if you do it properly. A good performance tune will make you a very happy Corvette owner.

Hope this helps....

Chuck CoW

 

I hate to hijack this thread but I have an issue with my '97. My TC does not work as far as turning off and on. Now I can hit the button all day long and the light on the dashboard won't go off. If I try to brake stall it no matter how much gas I give it, it won't rev over 1100 rpms. I can floor it and it'll bog the motor like it's cutting cylinders out. I suppose this is torque management doing this, but is there a way to tune this out? Can I pull a TC fuse to stop this?

 

Yes, we can tune it out. On the earlier years things are alittle different....First, remove the switch...and test it and the harness.....

I can't remember everything....but, make sure your tire rpessure monitor is working and that you have adequate pressure in the tires....and make sure there are no codes in the pcm or other modules....Just remember, if the pcm thinks that there is anything wrong with the car...(for instance.....a tire low on air) the computer will not allow competitive mode on the later cars....I don't remember exactly, but...there are definately tests that must be passed before some of the other functions are made available to you....

I'l try to remember for you.....

Hope this helps...
Chuck CoW