Has my P38 got traction control?!

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M

Matthew Maddock

Guest
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
 
> 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


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.
 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
> 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


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"


 

> 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!



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.
 
Matthew Maddock wrote:
>> 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!

>
>
> 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.


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"


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


> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>> 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!

>>
>>
>> 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.

>
> Now you have got me!
>
> I doubt it, i have a manual, i'll have a look tonight.


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

--
Rich
==============================

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


 
Richard Brookman wrote:
> ...and Nige spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...
>
>
>> Matthew Maddock wrote:
>>>> 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!
>>>
>>> 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.

>> Now you have got me!
>>
>> I doubt it, i have a manual, i'll have a look tonight.

>
> 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
>


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

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


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


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).

--
Rich
==============================

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


 
> 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.


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)!

> 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.


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.

> 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.


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

--
Larry
Series 3 rust and holes


"Matthew Maddock" <[email protected]> wrote in
message news:[email protected]...
> 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



 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 14:57:57 +0000, Nige wrote:

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


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.

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



 
On or around Sat, 21 Jan 2006 21:20:20 +0000 (GMT), "Dave Liquorice"
<[email protected]> enlightened us thusly:

>On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 14:57:57 +0000, Nige wrote:
>
>> I'm about to test that theory as I'm getting it mucky this aft!!

>
>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.
>


You sure that's not the driver after a beer?
--
Austin Shackles. www.ddol-las.net my opinions are just that
Satisfying: Satisfy your inner child by eating ten tubes of Smarties
from the Little Book of Complete B***ocks by Alistair Beaton.
 
....and Dave Liquorice spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...

> 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.


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

--
Rich
==============================

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


 
Richard Brookman wrote:
> ...and Dave Liquorice spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...
>
>> 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.

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



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
 
On Sat, 21 Jan 2006 23:20:52 +0000, Austin Shackles wrote:

>> 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.

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


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.

--
Cheers [email protected]
Dave. pam is missing e-mail



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

> 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


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.

--
Rich
==============================

Time flies like an arrow. Fruit flies like a banana.


 
Richard Brookman wrote:
> ...and Nige spake unto the tribes of Usenet, saying...
>
>> 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

>
> 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.
>



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

Nige
 
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