Has my P38 got traction control?!

According to the manual, when the traction control is operational, a light illuminates on the dash.

I deliberately drove one set of wheels (drivers side) onto a particularly slippy bit of mud the other day, floored the throttle from a standstill and let the clutch out rather sharply. I didn't see any TC light. I looked back at the marks in the mud and found there was about 12 inches of wheelspin before a tread pattern appeared. I'm not sure if that was the TC kicking in, or if the car simply got proper traction at that point. Any comments welcome! Any other way I can check it without risking getting completely stuck?!

I heard a rumour that some models did not have TC. Mine is a late 95 (December) 2.5 DSE. Any ideas on that score? The manual doesn't say anything about TC being "subject to model" How do I know if my P38 has traction control for sure?

Is the TC light part of the bulb check when you first turn the car on? Just wondering if the bulb has died as another possible explanation.

Cheers,

Matt

Reply to
Matthew Maddock
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I should mention that I looked at the marks from the rear wheels as I know that TC only operates on the rear wheels on pre '99 P38's.

Reply to
Matthew Maddock

When you start the car there are 3 lights (ABS, another i cant remember & TC) that light up on the lower left hand bit of the speedo housing. If it aint there, you aint got it!

Nige

-- Subaru WRX Range Rover LSE (Bob) FOR SALE!!! Range Rover 4.6 HSE (The Tank!)

'"I don't remember asking you a goddam thing"

Reply to
Nige

that light up on the lower

Or the bulb is out!

I have 3-lights, battery, ABS and handbrake light, but no TC. Will pull the dash out and see it the bulb is dead. But what I really wanted to know is how do I know if the car has it or not?

Matt.

Reply to
Matthew Maddock

Now you have got me!

I doubt it, i have a manual, i'll have a look tonight.

Nige

-- Subaru WRX Range Rover LSE (Bob) FOR SALE!!! Range Rover 4.6 HSE (The Tank!)

'"I don't remember asking you a goddam thing"

Reply to
Nige

...and Nige spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

I stand to be corrected, but I thought that all P38s had TC on the rear until about 99, when they got it on all 4 wheels. My 97 (4.6 HSE, but not Vogue spec) had it on the rears.

The TC lamp is in the small panel below the fuel gauge to the left of the message centre, bottom row, third from left, to the right of the brake warning light. In this panel there should also be warning lights for seat belt, oil pressure and SRS. This is from the 2nd edition handbook (English,

1999). There is no mention of "if fitted" or "certain markets only" which LR usually put next to optional features. The lamp should illuminate for 3 seconds when ignition switch turned on, and then for 2+ seconds when the TC is active, accompanied by the word "TRACTION" in the message centre.

HTH

Reply to
Richard Brookman

I'm about to test that theory as I'm getting it mucky this aft!!

Nige

Reply to
Nige

...and Nige spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

Enjoy! As long as you've got decent rubber on, it won't disappoint (making due allowances for rear overhang and the fear of spoiling the sheer niceness of the thing by damaging it).

Reply to
Richard Brookman

Exactly what I thought. Only reason I am doubting it is that I've never seen the warning light, and I've had her plenty muddy enough to have seen it by now! I've been down some very muddy lanes and not gotten stuck, which I think I probably would have done if TC wasn't on my vehicle. Without the light, it is difficult to tell if it is working from inside the car. Probably need someone outside to see what wheels are spinning (or not)!

Yeah, they normally put that against optional components. I just heard someone in Oz say that their model (poverty spec 4.0) didn't have it. I was wondering if it was an option on the diesel in the UK, but it is not easy to find out! Mine is a DSE, not the basic DT, so I would have thought that it was fitted.

My manual says something similar, but does not mention the word traction appearing in the message centre. I don't see the light when I turn the ignition on either.

Perhaps it is just a case that the bulb in the dash console is out. When I've got the time I'll remove the dash and see if I can check / replace the bulb.

Matt.

Reply to
Matthew Maddock

My Series 3 has got traction control, it is called the driver :)

Reply to
Larry

Well if you have it and make it kick in you can also report if it makes any audible noise in the cabin. The TC on a 2001 DII TD5 makes quite a loud "brruupp" sound. You can trigger this by hitting a bump or dropping it off a medium height curb a bit quick.

I think its a hydralic pump firing up in readiness to whack the brakes on as required. A bump for drop doesn't normally wake up the little light. I've only managed that on 5" of fresh snow going up hill or occasionally on very wet and muddy grass verge.

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

On or around Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:20:20 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Liquorice" enlightened us thusly:

You sure that's not the driver after a beer?

Reply to
Austin Shackles

...and Dave Liquorice spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

My RR did that too. I always assumed it was a burp of satisfaction after a successful bit of traction-controllery.

Reply to
Richard Brookman

It does make a strange noise indeed. It does light up the dash light too!! Now, where's me jetwasher!!!

Had a look under mine todat, theres a funny type of summat on the front axle/diff. All i can suggest it looks like a a reel out washing line type thing!

Anyone know what it is?

Nige

Reply to
Nige

Not coming home on the morning school run, it's bad enough being awake sober let alone with a bad 'ed.

Seems that the "burrpp" is a good indication of TC, though mine will burrpp without the light coming on if you frighten it with a bump.

Reply to
Dave Liquorice

...and Nige spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

Harmonic vibration damper. It's there to - er - damp out the harmonic vibrations of the axle/prop/suspension system at certain critical speeds. It weighs a ton and a bit, which is why it is (or should be) secured with a wire to the chassis as well as its proper mounting. If one of those dropped off at warp speed it could cause a lot of harm!

I think it can be safely ignored for all practical purposes.

Reply to
Richard Brookman

No wire i could see!! Very odd thing to look at!

Nige

Reply to
Nige

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