Problems with TAC module getting wet?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
Problems with TAC module getting wet?
So I was getting random "reduced engine power codes" along with random others, and when I accessed my TAC, there was a hole in the bottom of it & when I removed the plug, sprayed compressed air in it, water shot out.
The codes appeared twice, both after taking it for a hand wash......the first time was after a header install, where some wires got fried, so in the couple days it took to repair that, the TAC must've dried out because it started and ran fine....including after some rain driving, until the next hand wash.
This time there were no melted wires so examined the TAC and found the moisture issue.
I took it apart, dried, applied dielectric grease liberally, filled hole in casing with black silicon, and then wrapped plug in electrical tape to try and help keep water out.
Other ideas to how it is getting wet, or ways to stop it?
***Side note, I'm currently dealing with a separate issue, "service traction control/ABS" warning, along with a large amount of codes. Going to try cleaning the grounds. As it doesn't happen every time I drive the car
The codes appeared twice, both after taking it for a hand wash......the first time was after a header install, where some wires got fried, so in the couple days it took to repair that, the TAC must've dried out because it started and ran fine....including after some rain driving, until the next hand wash.
This time there were no melted wires so examined the TAC and found the moisture issue.
I took it apart, dried, applied dielectric grease liberally, filled hole in casing with black silicon, and then wrapped plug in electrical tape to try and help keep water out.
Other ideas to how it is getting wet, or ways to stop it?
***Side note, I'm currently dealing with a separate issue, "service traction control/ABS" warning, along with a large amount of codes. Going to try cleaning the grounds. As it doesn't happen every time I drive the car
Last edited by MrJonMan; Aug 6, 2014 at 12:36 AM.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The TAC module is suppose to be a sealed box. Its sonic welded sealed and if water got in, something major happened and it could give you issues when you least desire it.
NOTE! The TAC module can short out the PCM and cause it to need to be replaced also.
If the TAC is working, be careful. The board inside is has a seal coating over all the components but it can get compromised and corrode.
NOTE! The TAC module can short out the PCM and cause it to need to be replaced also.
If the TAC is working, be careful. The board inside is has a seal coating over all the components but it can get compromised and corrode.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
The TAC module is suppose to be a sealed box. Its sonic welded sealed and if water got in, something major happened and it could give you issues when you least desire it.
NOTE! The TAC module can short out the PCM and cause it to need to be replaced also.
If the TAC is working, be careful. The board inside is has a seal coating over all the components but it can get compromised and corrode.
NOTE! The TAC module can short out the PCM and cause it to need to be replaced also.
If the TAC is working, be careful. The board inside is has a seal coating over all the components but it can get compromised and corrode.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
The connectors are water tight grade connectors and if the rubber seal is clean and well lubed, you should be good to go. You also need to check the seal around the back of the connector that seals the wires.
BC
BC
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
As I was sorting throug a host of error messages recently, the last items I looked at were the PCM and TAC module. Clearly wet. And had been wet. White corrosion on the PCM.
I wasn't in the least bit surprised given the location.
Although I don't drive the car in the rain, it most certainly was driven in the winter in NJ by the prev owner.
My car did sit out in a massive rain storm a day before I peeked in there.
The udder was clean.
I think I'll make a cover (heavy plastic bag) to put up above the PCM/TAC so water from rain or washing doesn't flow down there. I'll prob take both out, clean and re-install at some point.
I'll say it again, what a dumb place to put the brains of the car.
I wasn't in the least bit surprised given the location.
Although I don't drive the car in the rain, it most certainly was driven in the winter in NJ by the prev owner.
My car did sit out in a massive rain storm a day before I peeked in there.
The udder was clean.
I think I'll make a cover (heavy plastic bag) to put up above the PCM/TAC so water from rain or washing doesn't flow down there. I'll prob take both out, clean and re-install at some point.
I'll say it again, what a dumb place to put the brains of the car.
Last edited by RonSSNova; Aug 6, 2014 at 03:11 AM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
When coating with dielectric grease, I not only coated the actually connector pins but rubbed a little extra around the outside of the connector itself.....the wrapped the entire plug in electric tape.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
As I was sorting throug a host of error messages recently, the last items I looked at were the PCM and TAC module. Clearly wet. And had been wet. White corrosion on the PCM.
I wasn't in the least bit surprised given the location.
Although I don't drive the car in the rain, it most certainly was driven in the winter in NJ by the prev owner.
My car did sit out in a massive rain storm a day before I peeked in there.
The udder was clean.
I think I'll make a cover (heavy plastic bag) to put up above the PCM/TAC so water from rain or washing doesn't flow down there. I'll prob take both out, clean and re-install at some point.
I'll say it again, what a dumb place to put the brains of the car.
I wasn't in the least bit surprised given the location.
Although I don't drive the car in the rain, it most certainly was driven in the winter in NJ by the prev owner.
My car did sit out in a massive rain storm a day before I peeked in there.
The udder was clean.
I think I'll make a cover (heavy plastic bag) to put up above the PCM/TAC so water from rain or washing doesn't flow down there. I'll prob take both out, clean and re-install at some point.
I'll say it again, what a dumb place to put the brains of the car.
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Racer
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 278
Likes: 0
From: Gering Nebraska
There shouldn't be a hole in the TAC module. I was having similar problems Service Traction Control, Reduced Eng. Power etc. found also water in the plug connectors at the TAC module.
Dried everything out light film of grease on the plug seals and I siliconed the backs of the plugs where the wires go in. I also put a bead of silicone around the access panel in the wheel well and on the bottom access cover. Have washed several times and have got quite a few miles with no reassurance of the fault codes. What was GM thinking putting these modules where they did?????
Dried everything out light film of grease on the plug seals and I siliconed the backs of the plugs where the wires go in. I also put a bead of silicone around the access panel in the wheel well and on the bottom access cover. Have washed several times and have got quite a few miles with no reassurance of the fault codes. What was GM thinking putting these modules where they did?????
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX
There shouldn't be a hole in the TAC module. I was having similar problems Service Traction Control, Reduced Eng. Power etc. found also water in the plug connectors at the TAC module.
Dried everything out light film of grease on the plug seals and I siliconed the backs of the plugs where the wires go in. I also put a bead of silicone around the access panel in the wheel well and on the bottom access cover. Have washed several times and have got quite a few miles with no reassurance of the fault codes. What was GM thinking putting these modules where they did?????
Dried everything out light film of grease on the plug seals and I siliconed the backs of the plugs where the wires go in. I also put a bead of silicone around the access panel in the wheel well and on the bottom access cover. Have washed several times and have got quite a few miles with no reassurance of the fault codes. What was GM thinking putting these modules where they did?????
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,449
Likes: 409
From: Portland OR
I'm going to be removing those modules soon, cleaning the pins and all that good stuff.
Got the REP again yesterday. P1120 this time. And it hasn't been wet here.
Good idea on the silicone seal on that panel. Although I don't drive mine in the rain.
Intermittents are a bitch!
Ron
Got the REP again yesterday. P1120 this time. And it hasn't been wet here.
Good idea on the silicone seal on that panel. Although I don't drive mine in the rain.
Intermittents are a bitch!
Ron
6th Gear
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: lake orion Michigan
C5 corvette tac issue
So I was getting random "reduced engine power codes" along with random others, and when I accessed my TAC, there was a hole in the bottom of it & when I removed the plug, sprayed compressed air in it, water shot out.
The codes appeared twice, both after taking it for a hand wash......the first time was after a header install, where some wires got fried, so in the couple days it took to repair that, the TAC must've dried out because it started and ran fine....including after some rain driving, until the next hand wash.
This time there were no melted wires so examined the TAC and found the moisture issue.
I took it apart, dried, applied dielectric grease liberally, filled hole in casing with black silicon, and then wrapped plug in electrical tape to try and help keep water out.
Other ideas to how it is getting wet, or ways to stop it?
***Side note, I'm currently dealing with a separate issue, "service traction control/ABS" warning, along with a large amount of codes. Going to try cleaning the grounds. As it doesn't happen every time I drive the car
The codes appeared twice, both after taking it for a hand wash......the first time was after a header install, where some wires got fried, so in the couple days it took to repair that, the TAC must've dried out because it started and ran fine....including after some rain driving, until the next hand wash.
This time there were no melted wires so examined the TAC and found the moisture issue.
I took it apart, dried, applied dielectric grease liberally, filled hole in casing with black silicon, and then wrapped plug in electrical tape to try and help keep water out.
Other ideas to how it is getting wet, or ways to stop it?
***Side note, I'm currently dealing with a separate issue, "service traction control/ABS" warning, along with a large amount of codes. Going to try cleaning the grounds. As it doesn't happen every time I drive the car
Spoiler
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 255
Likes: 2
From: Houston TX