1993 LS400 UCF 10: Trac Light Problem

I'm really hoping someone can help me out on this

Today I was on my way to school and the road a little damp. All of the sudden my trac light came on and it stayed on. This has never happen to me before as each time before that, the trac light would just flash if the traction control was activated. 

I didn't feel my car losing traction when the light came on so I have no idea what the problem is. The trac light would turn off after i turn off the car and restart it. I drove home after school in the same weather condition but this time, the trac light did not light up.

And then, the same problem happened after work tonight. I was stopped at a red light then i felt my car jerking forward when my foot was on the brake pedal. Then the trac light came on and stayed on. 

So i'm guessing there's a problem with my Traction Control? Maybe someone can lead me in a direction cause I have no idea what's going on right now.

which traction light? is it the "Trac Off" or "TRAC" (the one that flashes when you're spinning)

the "TRAC" light

sounds like a braking problem. on most of these cars the traction control and abs is linked together, and when one screws up, the car freaks out and does weird stuff.

i had an aristo that had a leaky abs accumulator, and while i was driving it made a popping noise. the toyota dealership told me my diff was done (retards), i ended up changing the accumulator, got it recharged and the problem disappeared. the brakes were coming on for a fraction of a second (just on the rear) while i was driving. 

i would start with that... you said you felt the car creeping on you while on your brakes right? 

where in canada do you live? if you're near, i have a toyota computer, i can plug in and see what code it's throwing.

Sounds like a voltage or ground issue if the light comes on sometimes and not other times.  Ideally the ABS and TRAC light would come on together.  My guess is that you might have a vacuum problem, it is a common cause of 'surging' even when on the brakes.  Afterall your car (as does any car with a power brake booster) uses the engines vacuum to produce power braking.  And if you have a vacuum leak you could experience surging even under braking.

[quote=RedGalant2k1;220582]Sounds like a voltage or ground issue if the light comes on sometimes and not other times.  Ideally the ABS and TRAC light would come on together.  My guess is that you might have a vacuum problem, it is a common cause of 'surging' even when on the brakes.  Afterall your car (as does any car with a power brake booster) uses the engines vacuum to produce power braking.  And if you have a vacuum leak you could experience surging even under braking.[/quote]

very true... i never thought about that.

[QUOTE=JZS_RCTS;220450]sounds like a braking problem. on most of these cars the traction control and abs is linked together, and when one screws up, the car freaks out and does weird stuff.

i had an aristo that had a leaky abs accumulator, and while i was driving it made a popping noise. the toyota dealership told me my diff was done (retards), i ended up changing the accumulator, got it recharged and the problem disappeared. the brakes were coming on for a fraction of a second (just on the rear) while i was driving. 

i would start with that... you said you felt the car creeping on you while on your brakes right? 

where in canada do you live? if you're near, i have a toyota computer, i can plug in and see what code it's throwing.[/QUOTE]

i'm in vancouver
i was actually reading up on that problem, it seems like it happens quite a bit. it's weird how the abs and traction control is a single unit tho. 

but i will start with the vacuum and the grounding on my car first

thank you for the help!

good luck!

[quote=UCF11_LS400;220895]i'm in vancouver
i was actually reading up on that problem, it seems like it happens quite a bit. it's weird how the abs and traction control is a single unit tho. 
 
but i will start with the vacuum and the grounding on my car first
 
thank you for the help![/quote]
 
The ABS and traction control are designed as a single unit because both utilize RPM.  Both relate to the traction or safety of the automobile, and is really the logical solution to a simplified system.  A wheel speed sensor is what is measuring wheel RPM, which directly relates to the Traction control, which limits power to each wheel by essentially braking any given corner that loses traction.  The ABS does much the same, but it is designed to be done per axle in a standard ABS system.  More sophisticated systems may be wheel specific.

thanks redgalant2k1

that might actually help me identify my problem a little easier
grounding and vacuum seems fine

now i gotta move on to the abs and traction control module

should i start with checking the wheel speed sensor to see if there's damage to it?

[quote=UCF11_LS400;221844]thanks redgalant2k1
 
that might actually help me identify my problem a little easier
grounding and vacuum seems fine
 
now i gotta move on to the abs and traction control module
 
should i start with checking the wheel speed sensor to see if there's damage to it?[/quote]
 
Yes, the first thing is to physically inspect wires, vacuum lines, brake hoses, etc.  Check for any freyed or damaged connectors, broken wires, cracked parts, broken ABS tone rings etc.
 
If there is a physical problem you'll see it, if not you may have to scan it.

im having the same issue kinda, sometimes it'll be the TRAC light and sometimes ill have a CEL and TRAC-OFF lights come on at the same time. im thinking maybe i just need to spray some dirt off inside the wheels cause thats typically the problems with traction control issues....... i just havent got to it:slap:

try [url]www.lexls.com[/url] and pull the code.

[QUOTE=RotaryAE86;223680]im having the same issue kinda, sometimes it'll be the TRAC light and sometimes ill have a CEL and TRAC-OFF lights come on at the same time. im thinking maybe i just need to spray some dirt off inside the wheels cause thats typically the problems with traction control issues....... i just havent got to it:slap:[/QUOTE]

well...the TRAC-OFF light should only come on when you actually turn the traction control off. that might be a wiring issue if that light comes on

i fixed my TRAC light problem by cleaning everything around the hub area. i'm guessing the all gunk and dirt from driving in the winter must of messed it up

and what's the CEL light? i have never seen it

yeah for sure, the ABS/traction control sensor is basically a magnet, and if the magnet is dirty then its pulling no voltage aka the system thinks there is something wrong. and a CEL is "Check Engine Light" and they come on and go off together so it is related so, again i have to clean my crap.... ill probably wait til i put my suspension on:shrug: