Active Handling
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Tulsa Ok
Active Handling
Active Handling will disengage cruise control when cruising down the highway and several times without the cruise set I have seen active handling come up on the DIC.
I went to my normal mechanic and a code of C1278 was set. No real meaning to that code.
Anybody have similar troubles?
Once I saw on the DIC "service active handling" but what is their to service? we have checked all connections and wiring for defects.
I went to my normal mechanic and a code of C1278 was set. No real meaning to that code.
Anybody have similar troubles?
Once I saw on the DIC "service active handling" but what is their to service? we have checked all connections and wiring for defects.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
View the sticky link about "Important Electrical Info" at the top
of the Tech section. Check all the ground points under the hood.
Failing that, you'll just have to wait for the real culprit to surface.
If not grounds-related, it will probably end up being either the
gas pedal or the steering sensor, but you'll have to wait for one
of them to fail enough to throw their own code.
But I'll bet you that cleaning up the grounds will help.
of the Tech section. Check all the ground points under the hood.
Failing that, you'll just have to wait for the real culprit to surface.
If not grounds-related, it will probably end up being either the
gas pedal or the steering sensor, but you'll have to wait for one
of them to fail enough to throw their own code.
But I'll bet you that cleaning up the grounds will help.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 41,032
Likes: 9,789
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Active Handling will disengage cruise control when cruising down the highway and several times without the cruise set I have seen active handling come up on the DIC.
I went to my normal mechanic and a code of C1278 was set. No real meaning to that code.
Anybody have similar troubles?
Once I saw on the DIC "service active handling" but what is their to service? we have checked all connections and wiring for defects.
I went to my normal mechanic and a code of C1278 was set. No real meaning to that code.
Anybody have similar troubles?
Once I saw on the DIC "service active handling" but what is their to service? we have checked all connections and wiring for defects.
DTC C1278
Circuit Description
The EBCM and the PCM simultaneously control the traction control. The PCM reduces the amount of torque supplied to the drive wheels by retarding spark timing and selectively turning off fuel injectors. The EBCM actively applies the brakes to the front wheels in order to reduce torque.
The EBCM sends a requested torque message via a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the PCM. The duty cycle of the signal is used to determine how much engine torque the EBCM is requesting the PCM to deliver. Normal values are between 10 and 90 percent duty cycle. The signal should be at 90 percent when traction control is not active and at lower values during traction control activations. The PCM supplies a pull up voltage of 5 volts that the EBCM switches to ground to create the signal.
The PCM sends a delivered torque message via a pulse width modulated (PWM) signal to the EBCM. The duty cycle of the signal is used to determine how much engine torque the PCM is delivering. Normal values are between 10 and 90 percent duty cycle. The signal should be at low values (around 10 percent) at idle and higher values under driving conditions. The EBCM supplies a pull up voltage of 12 volts that the PCM switches to ground to create the signal.
When certain PCM DTCs are set, the PCM will not be able to perform the torque reduction portion of traction control. A serial data message is sent to the EBCM indicating that traction control is not allowed.
Conditions for Running the DTC
The ignition is ON.
Conditions for Setting the DTC
The PCM diagnoses a condition preventing the engine control portion of the traction control function and sends a serial data message to the EBCM indicating that torque reduction is not allowed. The PCM will typically set a DTC and the EBCM will set this DTC.
Action Taken When the DTC Sets
If equipped, the following actions occur:
The EBCM disables the TCS/VSES for the duration of the ignition cycle.
The Traction Control and Active Handling indicator turns ON.
The DIC displays the following messages:
Service Traction System
Service Active Handling
The ABS remains functional.
Bill
Racer
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 452
Likes: 2
From: Lynnfield MA
are a known issue due to the large number of computers, and
their sensitivity to bad voltage.
If you're comfortable working through finding and checking all
the ground points under the hood, it is not a waste of time.
If nothing else, any corrosion you find may prevent a problem
down the road, even if it doesn't fix the problem you're having
now.
I realize that that "Important Electrical Info" sticky is long and
perhaps more than a bit intimidating, but it is well worth the
time and effort to get to know this aspect of the car, as it
can save huge $$$ in repair bills for relativelly little effort.
It looks like your problem is just beginning to surface. You
could do a "wait and see", and the problem will probably
get worse over time until the computer can throw a code
that will pinpoint the problem. Or, it could continue like this
for years, and just annoy the hell out of you.
Personally, I'd take a swing at the grounds.
No, I think you can safely rule out mechanical causes for now.
