Loss of power, TCS always coming on & smells like clutch?

[nsxfast]

So I took the nsx to Autobahn Country Club a few weeks ago and there were a few different problems that occured.
1) The traction control would not stop cutting the throttle. I would be accelerating in a straight line in 3rd gear and the TCS would keep cuuting power for what seemd like no reason at all.
2) Next, I wasn;t driving that hard (and the TCS cutting in) but it still smelled a lot like clutch during and after a few laps.
3)Lastly, where I would normally get up to about 112 mph-114mph on the back straight, I was only hitting about 104-105 mph. (something w/the V-tec?)

One solution I found for the TCS, was that if I hit the "disengage" botton for the TCS before I started moving and the car still in nuetreal, the TCS would almost disengage completely, but the car would not allow me to do this while in gear, or at and speed. I had to be stopped and in neutreal and at sometimes had to restart the car to disengage it.
I am about ready to take the TCS out completely b/c it is really not doing anything for me while I am on the track and that is about the only time I drive the car.
Basically, I am just puzzled. I have not have, pretty much, any problems with the car until a few weeks ago and it seems like everything is going all at once. Sorry I cannot provide a better description, but if anyone has any idea of what is going wrong, let me know and I will probably be able to tell you what the car is doing. Thanks in advance for the help,

Jack

 

[MiamieNeSeX]

Sounds like vehicle speed sensor is acting up. If you raise your ebrake 1 or 2 clicks and drive for a bit under 20 mph, that will disengage the TCS and I believe also your ABS , this should stay constant until you restart your car. If problem persists I would trouble shoot the VSS.


Armando

 

[nsxtasy]

Just get in the habit of turning off your TCS as soon as you start the car when you're at the track.

The TCS has nothing to do with the clutch. If you scorched the clutch plates, it's because you weren't shifting properly.

If you raise your ebrake 1 or 2 clicks and drive for a bit under 20 mph, that will disengage the TCS and I believe also your ABS , this should stay constant until you restart your car.

I don't recommend this. You're better off leaving the ABS on, including when you're on the track. If you are threshold braking (braking just at the threshold of locking the tires, but not actually doing so), the ABS won't activate. If ABS activates, it's probably when you would want it to activate.

 

[Nihilation]

Just pull the 15amp TCS fuse. It's labeled clearly in the fuse box.

 

[nsxtasy]

Just pull the 15amp TCS fuse. It's labeled clearly in the fuse box.

I wouldn't. Then it won't work on the street, where you want it to be active (in most situations).

 

[nsxfast]

I was about to pull the fuse when I get home b/c the only other time we drive the car on the street is usually to and from the track.

Are there any other traction control devices on the nsx?

I had one thought on the burning clutch smeel and it was:
If the TCS keep cutting power so much (honestly, just trying to accelerate in a straight line on the highway it cuts power, it never used to do this) wouldn;t that mean that it would have to disengage the clutch somewhat, therefor causing the cltuch to be used many more times than usual, cuasing it to burn up a little?
The place it is at now for repairs is going to replace some of the wheel sensors, does this make any sense? We have been using John Vassos of Acura of Brookfield (Wisconsin) for most of the work on the car, and we have usually not had many issues. The problem is having to drive the car from Chicago to Wisconsin whenever something goes wrong. Thoughts?

Also, i should add that we have had some rim/tire fitment issues and have had to go back and forth with tire sizes and compounds as well as wheel size, could any of this played into the mix? Thanks for all your help guys...

Troubled nsx owner,
Jack

 

[nsxtasy]

I was about to pull the fuse when I get home b/c the only other time we drive the car on the street is usually to and from the track.

On a track-only car (or a mostly-track-only car), that makes sense.

Are there any other traction control devices on the nsx?

I don't think so.

I had one thought on the burning clutch smeel and it was:
If the TCS keep cutting power so much (honestly, just trying to accelerate in a straight line on the highway it cuts power, it never used to do this) wouldn;t that mean that it would have to disengage the clutch somewhat, therefor causing the cltuch to be used many more times than usual, cuasing it to burn up a little?

No. The TCS cuts power in the engine, not in the transmission. It doesn't disengage the clutch to do so.

The place it is at now for repairs is going to replace some of the wheel sensors, does this make any sense?

Problems with the speed sensors could cause the TCS to engage/disengage at inappropriate times. But it would do so through the engine, not the clutch.

We have been using John Vassos of Acura of Brookfield (Wisconsin) for most of the work on the car, and we have usually not had many issues. The problem is having to drive the car from Chicago to Wisconsin whenever something goes wrong. Thoughts?

Acura of Brookfield, and John in particular, are the best place to take an NSX for service, period. They service more NSXs than any other shop in the Midwest, and possibly nationwide.

That does not mean that there are no shops in the Chicago area that service NSXs. Woodfield Acura and Pauly Acura do a lot of NSX work and I trust them with routine (and not-so-routine) NSX service work. And any competent mechanic can do routine work like changing NSX brakes, tires, and fluids. However, when it comes to aftermarket modifications, track preparation, and troubleshooting particularly vexing problems (like this one), it's worth driving the extra couple hundred miles to take it to Brookfield.

BTW, you may want to participate in the effort described in this topic.

i should add that we have had some rim/tire fitment issues and have had to go back and forth with tire sizes and compounds as well as wheel size, could any of this played into the mix?

Inappropriate tire sizes (not compounds) can cause the TCS to activate. The TCS activates if the ratio of the front to rear outer diameters is more than 5 percent different from stock. Because other variables (e.g. treadwear) can also come into play, it's best to keep the ratio based on the nominal sizes within 3.0 or at worst 3.5 percent of stock. But if you are going to disconnect your TCS all the time, this may be less of a concern.

 

[nsxfast]

Thanks for the insights. I am sure John will figure it out eventually. Have a good one.

Jack

 

[nsxfast]

Well, I am happily reporting back!!

Last week I was down at Autobahn Country club and the NSX performed amazingly! The TCS light did come on, but once I turned the traction control off, it did not cut power at all! I got the tire pressure dial in at about 29 psi in front an 30 psi at the rear tires and there was tremendous ammounts of grip! AHHHH I love this car again!!! There were two track prepped Radicals at the track the same day, and both of the drivers came over to ask what kind of lap times i was running, but unfortunately I haven;t had the time to hook up the transponder...but they were impressed to say the least. I just love how 1991 technology and a few upgrades can take on brand new vettes, elises, and whatever else you can throw at it:biggrin: :biggrin:

Now, on to planning upgrades for the off-season. I am fairly in the dark about nsx's (still trying to learn), but what is the story behind shoter gearing for the X? What can i expect and what are the stock gears, and what is out in the aftermarket? Also, the same for the clutch, what is out there that you guys would recommend? Sorry if the post is a little spotty, but I've had a few drinks and i love this car too much to think clearly rght now. Thanks for the imput.

Jack

 

[nsxtasy]

what is the story behind shoter gearing for the X?

Acura sold the NSX with somewhat shorter second, third, and fourth gears in their domestic market than overseas. It helps 0-60 times, and hurts at speeds above 70 mph. I think the stock gears are a better choice for track use.

You can also get a shorter R&P (ring and pinion, also called final drive) gear, which makes the gearing shorter in all gears. For track use, the biggest change is that it lowers the shift points; it helps at some tracks, hurts at others, but the differences are minor in any case. For street use, it increases fuel consumption.

I think the stock gearing on my '91 is great for track use.

Also, the same for the clutch, what is out there that you guys would recommend?

I'm very happy with the stock clutch. (I've tried driving some aftermarket ones.)

 

[darknezz_ghost]

I wouldn't. Then it won't work on the street, where you want it to be active (in most situations).

i don't know about you guys but my TCS never comes on while i drive on the street.. i don't push my car that fast and i'm not a heavy footer.. :biggrin:

 

[nsxtasy]

i don't know about you guys but my TCS never comes on while i drive on the street.. i don't push my car that fast and i'm not a heavy footer.. :biggrin:

It shouldn't come on on a routine basis. It's most likely to show up in an emergency situation and/or on a very slick road (rain, snow, ice, etc) when you might not have time to react to an unexpected incident.