Traction control turns on and off randomly while idling and when slowing to a stop or accelerating from a stop?

2005 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX
220,216 MILES • 3.8L • V6 • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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JR47
  • MEMBER
  • 115 POSTS
Traction control kicks on and off randomly while idling and when slowing to a stop or accelerating from a stop. Today it caused the ABS and TC lights come on but after shutting the car off and on everything went away but TC still kicks on and off.
May 6, 2024 at 4:27 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 110,193 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Hi,

It sounds like you may have a failing wheel speed sensor. If at any point there isn't a signal from any one of them, the ABS thinks you are skidding.

To make this easy, you should get your hands on a live data scanner and watch how each wheel's sensor reacts. I suspect one will indicate 0mph before you are completely stopped.

If you have no access to a scan tool that can do this, the only other thing I can think of would be to test each sensor using a voltmeter or multimeter to confirm there is a good signal when you spin the tire by hand.

Here is a link that explains how to do it:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

Using a meter to check the sensors isn't difficult, but it takes a little time.

Let me know.

Joe
May 6, 2024 at 8:36 PM
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