91 nsx TCS light blinking & engine throttle barely responds in snow

[91silvernsx]

I was driving to go skiing @ Lake Tahoe and at @7000ft elevation while going up hill w/ lots of snow on the road & cable chains on the drive wheels---then, the engine lost most power & wouldn't take a load & I was down to @ 10mph in 1st gear w/throttle floored--------the TCS light was flashing faintly & the ABS pump was pumping/making noise-------any ideas?

 

[EdinKali]

Sounds like you may have lost a wheel speed sensor. What happens if you turn off the traction control?

 

[pgilliam1]

If the ABS and TCS lights come on together that's a good clue to a bad Wheel Speed sensor (any chance those tire chains did some damage?). It will show up when you pull the error codes from the ECU as code #41(RF), 42(LF), 44(RR), or 48(LR). They run about $112 from the dealer.
However, losing power and a lugging engine when applying throttle can be caused by a bad Throttle Positioning Sensor.
Good Luck and happy Motoring!

 

[whitebois]

Happened to me once when I hit a series of rumble strips on the highway. I pulled over and turned off the car then restarted. Whatever it was reset and has not activated again.

 

[91silvernsx]

Sounds like you may have lost a wheel speed sensor. What happens if you turn off the traction control?

The TCS wouldn't disengage while driving and acting up. Problem hasn't resurfaced since Ski Area parking lot. I'll take a look at the wheel speed sensors. Thanx for the info

 

[91silvernsx]

If the ABS and TCS lights come on together that's a good clue to a bad Wheel Speed sensor (any chance those tire chains did some damage?). It will show up when you pull the error codes from the ECU as code #41(RF), 42(LF), 44(RR), or 48(LR). They run about $112 from the dealer.
However, losing power and a lugging engine when applying throttle can be caused by a bad Throttle Positioning Sensor.
Good Luck and happy Motoring!

No ABS light & no apparent problems/damage from cable chains---also unable to disengage TCS while driving & acting up. Problem has not resurfaced since Ski area parking lot.

thanx for the error codes , dana

 

[NSX2398]

-also unable to disengage TCS while driving & acting up.

From personal experience, I believe there is a minimum speed before you can disengage TCS. I'm guessing 5-10 mph or less. I also have experience with TCS 'intervening' in snow/ice conditions and depending on the situation, it can be a severe override of the throttles . .although I've never seen it intervene for more that a second or two .. then get traction .. then cut in again .. sort of a jerky, whiplash thing.

 

[acuratech27]

It could have been the elevation change what elevation do you normally drive in. The computer may have needed to get used to the change in atmospheric pressure

 

[Larry Bastanza]

I was driving to go skiing @ Lake Tahoe and at @7000ft elevation while going up hill w/ lots of snow on the road & cable chains on the drive wheels---then, the engine lost most power & wouldn't take a load & I was down to @ 10mph in 1st gear w/throttle floored--------the TCS light was flashing faintly & the ABS pump was pumping/making noise-------any ideas?

Sounds like the TCS was working just fine. The wheels were slipping and that is what the system does. Now with that said, "working fine", does not mean it does the best job. When the TCS alters the throttle I personally do not like it.

The ABS pump sounds unrelated directly to the TCS issue, but if the brakes locked the ABS engaged, maybe after a long time of non-use, it is repressurizing, and maybe a selonoid has stuck.

Did it go off(the pump) and you had no ABS light? If so, you are fine.

Remember these system were innovative for their time, but it was 21 years ago.

HTH,
LarryB

 

[Oldduffer]

I found out last fall that the TCS won't disengage while you're moving until the engine speed gets down to around 1000RPM. I would push in clutch and coast while letting engine speed drop, then it would disengage.
I doubt that elevation had anything to do with it. I drove my car up Pikes Peak to elevation 14110', and I was plenty nervous with snow in some spots, but never had any difficulty with power loss. Howard

 

[integrals]

I found out last fall that the TCS won't disengage while you're moving until the engine speed gets down to around 1000RPM. I would push in clutch and coast while letting engine speed drop, then it would disengage.
I doubt that elevation had anything to do with it. I drove my car up Pikes Peak to elevation 14110', and I was plenty nervous with snow in some spots, but never had any difficulty with power loss. Howard

Interesting

My 91, I can disengage TCS at whatever speed I wish, I just cant be accelerating. I've disengaged it on the racing surface at 80mph after I forgot to in the grid. I had to stop accelerating and off it goes.

Weird experiences!

 

[rossii]

Driving to Tahoe in the snow.......respect!