Out of nowhere, the traction control on my 2015 JK has started to kick in even when on completely dry pavement / going in a straight line / at low speeds. I'm concerned a sensor of some variety may have gone bad, but i'm wondering if there is any sort of system reset that might help or if others have ideas before i go the dealership route. Any thoughts would be appreciated - thanks.
2015 JK traction control issue
- Thread starter kn752
- Start date
Can you check your OBD II codes? When you say the traction control kicks in, do you mean the light in the dash goes on?
Have not done a lift, but there does seem to be a bit more play in the steering than in the past.
That can make your traction control activate if your having to move the steering wheel back and forth any to keep going straight.
That makes sense. I don’t know what has led to the increased play in the steering - certainly no event that stuck out as potentially creating an issue w the steering or suspension - so it seems like I just need to get it on a rack / have it looked at.
Anything that's associated with the front axle and steering gearbox will cause that.
OK. You'll want to check your manual about some of this. If the light is on, the system is off. The two common causes are wheel speed sensor failure and steering wheel alignment. I use JScan to read the OBDII codes. The manual in question is the 600+ page pdf.
If the light you see is a vehicle with serving tracks, that means the electronic stability control system has turned off. That includes the traction control element. The system relies on the wheel speed sensors. This can happen for a number of reasons. I encountered the same thing recently, when the left front wheel sensor bit the dust. The ECS automatically turns off because the wheel speed data is unreliable, and the computer can't accurately control traction at all four wheels when braking. This resulted in my case with an abrupt jerk on the steering wheel at a low speed about the first time I applied the brakes. I had to have the sensor replaced. This less of an issue than it seems at first, though you want it enabled. Most older drivers learned to drive in vehicles that lacked any TCS at all. But, cars that have are much better behaved where traction is somewhat sketchy. In FWD at low speeds the TCS system can be a nuisance while off-road, which is when you want to see that light.