Facelift "Apparent" Fix for Traction Control "Sensitivity"

James Cole · Dec 13, 2016

Hello guys...

First of all: Sorry if my English is not perfect.

As most of you know some FL S3´s are having problems with TCS kicking in very strange ways with some types of roads even when using very little power, the car will cut most of the power for a second or two, its dangerous and a PIA to say the least.

Explained in detail here, here and here.

What you need to do is get VCDS an do the following:

1. Enter ABS Brakes controller
2. Go to Adaptation
3. On the drop down menu select "starting vibration reduction"
4. Change the value from "Strong" to "Deactivated"

There is this particular wavy road around my house that the car exhibits the mentioned character and is unable to go forward with more than 30% of power input. After this mod the TCS light will still flicker but no power intervention will be made at all, the car hooks up and goes like its supposed to.

As a I side note I felt stronger power delivery in first and second gear, but it could be all in my head.

Thats it guys... Please confirm if you are having the same results, I did very little testing and could be wrong.

Thanks!
JC

mikemod · Dec 13, 2016

I'm tempted to try this but not that happy messing with the ABS controller.

@DJAlix Does anyone know what value PFL cars have in this channel?

DJAlix · Dec 13, 2016

mikemod said:
I'm tempted to try this but not that happy messing with the ABS controller.

@DJAlix Does anyone know what value PFL cars have in this channel?

Not 100% sure to be honest as I try never to mess with the ABS module too much myself but I believe its set to "Medium".

James Cole · Dec 13, 2016

FL cars is "Strong" so that could be the problem.

James Cole · Dec 13, 2016

Perhaps you guys should try switching it to "medium" as PFL cars... right now I am very happy with "deactivated"

James Cole · Mar 23, 2017

Hello Guys just a heads up... I dont use the S3 that much now but wanted to update. This apparent "fix" does not work... it still ASR flickers everytime when going over rough pavement even at moderate power.

So wondering if you guys have found a fix for this?

Thanks!
JC

Rob2k68 · Mar 23, 2017

Excessive TCS intervention is generally linked to a failure of one or more components of the Haldex system.

KenL · Mar 23, 2017

Definitely a job for a dealer.

TBH I am surprised that the car will allow this type of modification to be carried out.

James Cole · Mar 23, 2017

This is not S3 wheelspin, its more like a badly calibrated tcs system... apparently all 17 have this issue.

TYb · Mar 23, 2017

James Cole said:
This is not S3 wheelspin, its more like a badly calibrated tcs system... apparently all 17 have this issue.

Where have you heard this? Is there going to be a fix do you know?

Cheers

James Cole · Mar 23, 2017

TYb said:
Where have you heard this? Is there going to be a fix do you know?

Cheers

I am not sure how many are affected, but some FL owners have expressed their concerns here...

Perhaps @DJAlix may now some more about this or how to flash the car to a more conservative traction control.

What I know is that happens on bumps only.

JC

AudiNutta · Mar 23, 2017

I thought mine had settled, its worse than ever now in warm weather!! It was less frequent in the wet in winter. I guarantee if I have a technician come out with me, it won't happen so I don't think I will bother and I'm only then giving them permission to put their foot down.

It's really annoying. My girlfriend now always knows what's coming when I press the traction control button haha!

The car doesn't struggle for traction in any circumstance. TC totally off and it sticks very well, only ever had wheel spin once through 1st and 2nd gear leaving the tolls on a launch. That was exciting, 4 wheel wheel-spin.

James Cole · Mar 23, 2017

AudiNutta said:
I thought mine had settled, its worse than ever now in warm weather!! It was less frequent in the wet in winter. I guarantee if I have a technician come out with me, it won't happen so I don't think I will bother and I'm only then giving them permission to put their foot down.

It's really annoying. My girlfriend now always knows what's coming when I press the traction control button haha!

We have the exact same car, color and all!

Yep... its EXTREMELY annoying it throws the advantage of AWD out the window completely. I came from an M4 that couldnt hook up in the first three gears and now I have to deal with this crap!

JC

AudiNutta · Mar 23, 2017

James Cole said:
We have the exact same car, color and all!

Yep... its EXTREMELY annoying it throws the advantage of AWD out the window completely. I came from an M4 that couldnt hook up in the first three gears and now I have to deal with this ****!

JC

Wow that's coincidence, haha! The best colour

All jokes aside, Nano grey is stunning and still never fails to amaze all of the different shades it gives off in different lights. It's a colour you wouldn't expect to be metallic, then the sun comes out and Wow!

Totally agree with you, it is disappointing. The car puts the power down so well with the TC off, it can simply only be the sensitivity of the system. But it doesn't even have chance for the power to build before it detects 'slip'. If you put your foot down, it's almost like the car is saying "woah, that's a lot of gas there.. are you sure that's a good idea before I spool the turbo?!"

Normally you'd expect some power output and then intervention, but it seems to be intervening from the throttle position alone!

I think this is going to be something we all have to put up with, it's just annoying to have to turn the TC off and I don't want to drive with it off all the time, shouldn't have to :sorry:

James Cole · Mar 24, 2017

AudiNutta said:
Wow that's coincidence, haha! The best colour All jokes aside, Nano grey is stunning and still never fails to amaze all of the different shades it gives off in different lights. It's a colour you wouldn't expect to be metallic, then the sun comes out and Wow!

Totally agree with you, it is disappointing. The car puts the power down so well with the TC off, it can simply only be the sensitivity of the system. But it doesn't even have chance for the power to build before it detects 'slip'. If you put your foot down, it's almost like the car is saying "woah, that's a lot of gas there.. are you sure that's a good idea before I spool the turbo?!"

Normally you'd expect some power output and then intervention, but it seems to be intervening from the throttle position alone!

I think this is going to be something we all have to put up with, it's just annoying to have to turn the TC off and I don't want to drive with it off all the time, shouldn't have to

Yes of course, I love it.

As for the TC yes its strange, most cars I have driven the wheel tends to "slip" and then cut power, but in this car it cuts power for no apparent reason at all!

I really think its a programming issue and hope it can be fixed via a dealer software update, cheers!

AudiNutta · Mar 24, 2017

James Cole said:
Yes of course, I love it.

As for the TC yes its strange, most cars I have driven the wheel tends to "slip" and then cut power, but in this car it cuts power for no apparent reason at all!

I really think its a programming issue and hope it can be fixed via a dealer software update, cheers!

Hopefully they can fix it yes, but I don't think it's something Audi are going to bother with.. it is just an irritation when wanting to drive fast. They might rectify it in later cars but I doubt there will be an update.

You'd have thought with all this testing they do somebody would have tried foot to the floor once or twice.

James Cole · Mar 24, 2017

I will visit my dealer today and see whats what... but this makes the car pretty much useless for me.

Dan_G · Jun 7, 2017

So the quick fix for this is turning traction to Sport mode?

This is happening in my FL car (8500 miles now) on a fairly regular basis, but pretty much all at speeds below 20 mph and with strong correlation to bumps etc that people have mentioned before.

This morning on the way into work i applied less than 50% throttle at about 20 mph whilst turning very slightly left and the traction light came on....! I was in sport mode on the dsg.

I have even begun to wonder if it is caused by the clutch slipping.

mikemod · Jun 7, 2017

Mine is going in on Friday for Audi Beam replacement, I have also flagged up the sensitive TC issue. So I shall see if there is any resolution.
I can replicate it every time on a road I drive everyday and it is just after going over a bump and then trying to accelerate, even with about 25% throttle.

I have just got into the habit of switching the TC to sport mode when I get into the car, never had any traction issues after that, the car never spins and pulls like a train.

mikemod · Jun 9, 2017

Had the car in today for my Audi Beam replacement, on a test drive I was able to demonstrate the TC issue once but no faults found and no updates so just have to live with it and turn the TC off when I get into the car.

AL_B · Jun 23, 2017

I'd read this thread a while back and thought "my car doesn't have this issue".

But tonight in totally dry conditions I floored the throttle and the traction control light was flickering away!! Yet no wheel slippage at all. Like I say it was dry.

Is this an issue with '17 cars then or not?

It's a bit OTT when Audi bang on about Quattro four wheel drive.

Facelift "Apparent" Fix for Traction Control "Sensitivity"

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