TCS Indicator Light question

[ak]

This morning, my car did something weird. When driving off from a stoplight, I gave it about 60% throttle to take off, somewhat quickly I guess, it started to go then I seemed to have lost power, I hear some kind of weird growling noise, TCS indicator light(yellow at the top) comes on then power comes back after about 5-10 second. It did this only once but I didn't drive much. The TCS indicator light stayed on but once I restarted the engine, it went away. It was pretty cold out this morning but I don't think it was my rear tires losing traction. So here's my question....

1. If the TCS indicator light goes off, does it mean it did not store any fault code?

2. Is this similar to what people are referring to as the Main Relay problem?

It has never done this before but I haven't driven my car for about 2 weeks...hmm Any idea would be great, thanks.

-ak

 

[Briank]

If your TCS light stays on there is some kind of malfunction. See the online manual here on Prime in the FAQ's under the Reference section. As for the growling noise it may have been the ABS pump running and was probably just a coincidence that is choose to run at that moment. Checking the main relay would not be a bad idea, maybe just replace it as long as you have the interior panels off.

 

[BadCarma]

The code is still there as the system will store up to 3, you will not lose the code by doing the restart like you did and indicated as the correct procedure per owners man. consult the facts on pulling the code and post it or pm me and I will tell you what it is.when the light comes on as it did in your case the light staying lit indicates the system deactivated TCS until reset.

 

[nsxnate]

What are your tire sizes?

If they differ by more than 5% from the factory difference it will set off the TCS (91-93 models). BTW, a worn tire loses 2% over a new one so you should always keep your tires w/n 3% to cover all cases.

However, if the light stayed on then it may be unrelated... but it could be similiar to what happened to me with mismatched tires. As the rears wore, and after replaceing the fronts only, it was enough to throw it barely out of specs and I would get the TCS light sometimes until I changed to the proper tire sizes.

 

[nsxtasy]

Tire sizes are an obvious possible cause, as nsxnate notes. Aside from that...

I wouldn't worry about it unless it happens again. I've had my TCS light come on when I hit unusual traction conditions (either road related or driver related) and when I restart the car, it goes away, just like ak's did. I don't worry about problems that cannot be replicated and may never recur.

I don't think this is related to the main relay problem.

 

[ak]

Well, I checked the TCS code and it is 5-1 which is "Abnormal fail-safe relay, throttle actuator or throttle body". Has anyone had this code come up before?

Since it didn't get stuck on it's not consistent as Ken said. I guess I'll have to monitor it for a while to see if it deteriolates.