Service Traction Control, but with a twist

[slowride77]

So I had something weird happen about an hour ago. I scoured the pages, but non of the "service traction control" threads said anything about this.

I was sitting in a parking lot with the engine idling. Probably idling for 10 mins or so. Cold out, like 38 deg.

All of a sudden, all my gauges dropped to zero and then right back up into position and the service traction control message came up on the DIC.

It was there for maybe 3 seconds, went away and the truck just keeping idling like nothing happened. Drove it home fine.

When this happened, the actual traction control light did not come on, just the message. The engine never changed RPM or anything.

Just the gauge cluster uniformly dipping and the message popping up. That was it.

Should I be concerned? I've read the other threads about all the possible issues that it could be.

Just very weird and never saw that before.

 

[Sparksalot]

If you have a code scanner, you might be able to see if any codes were set in the history.

 

[slowride77]

Yep. No codes. Hooked the tech2 up. Nothing.

 

[Onlyone]

That happens to me a few times with different vehicles. It was always a bad battery. It would do that exact thing, then like a month later click, nothing.

 

[slowride77]

That happens to me a few times with different vehicles. It was always a bad battery. It would do that exact thing, then like a month later click, nothing.

Hum…interesting. I’ll take a look at my battery and run some tests on it. Thanks.

 

[Onlyone]

Hum…interesting. I’ll take a look at my battery and run some tests on it. Thanks.

Don’t be surprised if it tests good. Just keep an eye on it. Weird things like that, which have several different systems involved are almost always a bad battery.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

If you are going to test the battery, do a bench load test.

 

[slowride77]

Tested bad in the car when hot and just shut off. Took it out and let it sit over night, then retested it. Tested good. So I bench tested with a load (work light). Bad. The capacity kept dropping every time I load tested. So I’m probably on the edge of a bad cell. Probably going to switch it out and see what happens.

 

[slowride77]

Took the battery to the parts store. They load tested and it said good, so i had them test it over and over. Probably 5-6 times. Each time the reserve capacity dropped about 6%. So, what started at 96% dropped to 79% after the last test. Cell going out. Bought a new battery. AGM this time. My old battery only had 610CCA, this one has 760CCA. The loaded LTZ needs the extra juice.

THANKS TO Onlyone for the suggestion. Troubleshooting might have lead me back to the battery, but thanks for the quick suggestion!

 

[Geotrash]

Took the battery to the parts store. They load tested and it said good, so i had them test it over and over. Probably 5-6 times. Each time the reserve capacity dropped about 6%. So, what started at 96% dropped to 79% after the last test. Cell going out. Bought a new battery. AGM this time. My old battery only had 610CCA, this one has 760CCA. The loaded LTZ needs the extra juice.

THANKS TO Onlyone for the suggestion. Troubleshooting might have lead me back to the battery, but thanks for the quick suggestion!

Glad you were persistent in your testing!

One thing worth monitoring is that the original alternators on these trucks aren't tuned for the unique charging needs of AGM batteries, and in both of my trucks I had new AGM batteries fail in less than a year. I swapped out the alternators for updated designs and have since had great results with AGM batteries - both trucks are 2+ years on AGM batteries now.

It's possible that it was totally coincidental, but others here have also reported problems with AGM batteries with the original alternators.

 

[slowride77]

Glad you were persistent in your testing!

One thing worth monitoring is that the original alternators on these trucks aren't tuned for the unique charging needs of AGM batteries, and in both of my trucks I had new AGM batteries fail in less than a year. I swapped out the alternators for updated designs and have since had great results with AGM batteries - both trucks are 2+ years on AGM batteries now.

It's possible that it was totally coincidental, but others here have also reported problems with AGM batteries with the original alternators.

GReAt........ Well, i guess i have that to look forward to. Has a 3 YR warranty, so if it doesnt make it a year, i guess I'll know why.

Can you enlighten me on the "updated" design for the alternator?

 

[Doubeleive]

if it happens again I would be eyeballing the fuel pump, I have doubts about it being the battery

 

[slowride77]

if it happens again I would be eyeballing the fuel pump, I have doubts about it being the battery

Could you please elaborate?

When the guages dipped and traction message popped up, idle and engine never changed. Engine output has never be affected.

 

[Geotrash]

Could you please elaborate?

When the guages dipped and traction message popped up, idle and engine never changed. Engine output has never be affected.

One symptom of a failing fuel pump (or its integrated pressure regulator), is fuel pressures that fall outside of spec but are still within the range of what the injectors and other systems can compensate for. Still, the computer sees it as a lack of proper function in the fuel control system which causes it to deactivate the stability control system because proper engine control is necessary for it to function properly in an emergency avoidance scenario.

I had this happen on my '07 and a new OEM fuel pump solved the problem. The signature of the problem was occasional codes for higher than normal fuel pressures - especially while driving on the highway. Yet it would only happen rarely.

 

[slowride77]

One symptom of a failing fuel pump (or its integrated pressure regulator), is fuel pressures that fall outside of spec but are still within the range of what the injectors and other systems can compensate for. Still, the computer sees it as a lack of proper function in the fuel control system which causes it to deactivate the stability control system because proper engine control is necessary for it to function properly in an emergency avoidance scenario.

I had this happen on my '07 and a new OEM fuel pump solved the problem. The signature of the problem was occasional codes for higher than normal fuel pressures - especially while driving on the highway. Yet it would only happen rarely.

Alright, well I will keep my eye on that as well.

I assume only codes that my Tech2 will see or are you talking codes that throw a check engine?

Thanks Doubeleive and Geotrash!

 

[Doubeleive]

Alright, well I will keep my eye on that as well.

I assume only codes that my Tech2 will see or are you talking codes that throw a check engine?

Thanks Doubeleive and Geotrash!

not likely to throw a cel unless it gets really bad, you may notice other things like engine surging, idle and die, hard to start.

 

[slowride77]

not likely to throw a cel unless it gets really bad, you may notice other things like engine surging, idle and die, hard to start.

Gotcha. Thanks again.

 

[Geotrash]

Alright, well I will keep my eye on that as well.

I assume only codes that my Tech2 will see or are you talking codes that throw a check engine?

Thanks Doubeleive and Geotrash!

+1 to what Wes said. In my case, the Stabilitrak and TC warning would chime but I'd only get a CEL once in a while. Never had any drivability issues in my case though. My Tech2 would show stored codes for fuel pressure problems even if they weren't enough to trigger the CEL every time.

 

[petethepug]

Always start with a new set of battery cables on both poles. They’re notorious for rotting on the inside out. As the temp and conditions change, the continuity changes.

Typically what occurs is a voltage drop or resistance causes the CAN/BUS system to dip below the required 5v and it trips a code in what ever module is closest and being used. When the path is open again the problem moves on to a different module. Yes, you’re literally chasing codes that move around and fix themselves.