Can traction control sensitivity be adjusted??

[oldcar]

Hi folks, today went for drive on the highway-my S38l, the condition is wet. With few blips on throttle at 110km/h i felt few bumps on the road, i think its the traction control acting on behalf of ABS. and few second later the car lost little throttle response -car slows down to 90. and regain its full throttle reesponse after 20 sec(I thought its a warning of soft limp-but no engine lights or any errors come up). ATM no TRaction control lights or ESP error come up.

On my way back to home climbing uphills at 90 using 6th with 3 people on board. Boost come on to 8-10psi and again this time I had TRACTION CONTROL light on, and the car slows down to 0. I had to exit on the side of highway, lucky no one was behind us, it was embarassing. This time I know what to do, I turn the engine off and restart. The car back to normal no Traction ligts or any errors. I continued my driving for next 30 minutes, the road is almost dried. And I can enjoy a bit boost without any problems.

My question is DO you all Audi drivers have the same issue?? SHould I delete N249? or you think Revo dealer can adjust the traction control sensitivity to lowest possible/? Any help to rectify this problem would be appreciated. Or something is faulty?? Thanks

 

[Machine212]

Slowing down to a stop? This is not normal.. Sounds like you need to get it scanned.

 

[oldcar]

Slowing down to a stop? This is not normal.. Sounds like you need to get it scanned.

this car runs perfefect on dry road, its just when wet I can not drive too hard on the throttle,as it will result in wheelspin and gradually it will reach -:max torque limit has reached" and no respond on throttle and therefore slowing down, At this stage I need to turn off the engine and on again as the car back to normal.

 

[<tuffty/>]

Thats not the traction control... thats a fault with the car... scan it for fault codes... understand why this happened before you go off modding anything else...

Are you sure it was the traction light and not the EPC light? EPC light coming on and not being able to rev is due to a fault with the throttle pedal or because the ECU has seen a torque request related issue so has cut the pedal input to prevent engine damage..

Traction control is not adjustable through Revo software... I believe there are maps in the software that controls load under these conditions and the ABS module actuates the brakes to help keep control but its nothing that should really be messed with as a rule..

I don't however believe this to be your issue...

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

Thats not the traction control... thats a fault with the car... scan it for fault codes... understand why this happened before you go off modding anything else...

Are you sure it was the traction light and not the EPC light? EPC light coming on and not being able to rev is due to a fault with the throttle pedal or because the ECU has seen a torque request related issue so has cut the pedal input to prevent engine damage..

Traction control is not adjustable through Revo software... I believe there are maps in the software that controls load under these conditions and the ABS module actuates the brakes to help keep control but its nothing that should really be messed with as a rule..

I don't however believe this to be your issue...

<tuffty/>[/QThanks, its the triangle sign, not EPC. So once I restart the engine it goes away. this problem occurs under wet condition. I will get scan tommorow. I might also check the ABS sensor too??

 

[<tuffty/>]

Scan it first... any fault will be shown including anything to do with ABS...

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

Scan it first... any fault will be shown including anything to do with ABS...

<tuffty/>

okok tommorrow morning...

 

[oldcar]

Scan it first... any fault will be shown including anything to do with ABS...

<tuffty/>

Scanned today, no histroy codes showing up..all clear--this is even more wiered right. VW guy says, Audi's traction control is trying to save your life by turning the throttle response off.
So I heard with WRX when you turned Traction off is FULLY off. So whats next, I want to turn this traction off 100% disable it, this is getting annoying....... I want to drive this car an having a bit of fun ...but I can not at the moment.....

 

[Machine212]

Its not the traction control... You can full throttle a healthy s3 without it bogging down even in the pouring rain. If it is the traction control, its broke.

 

[<tuffty/>]

ESP does not shut the throttle right down during normal operation... If the ESP light has stayed on this is to indicate it's been disabled due to a fault with the system... When you switch ESP off via the switch the ESP is fully off... The ESP light stays on during this time to indicate it's off...

If the ESP light came on and the throttle shut down there will be a fault code... What are you using to a scan with?

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

ESP does not shut the throttle right down during normal operation... If the ESP light has stayed on this is to indicate it's been disabled due to a fault with the system... When you switch ESP off via the switch the ESP is fully off... The ESP light stays on during this time to indicate it's off...

If the ESP light came on and the throttle shut down there will be a fault code... What are you using to a scan with?

<tuffty/>

thanks for the concern. The local mechanic scanned for me, I did not pay attention. I noticed with my other car, the traction control is not as sensitive as Audi, and all I hear is small noise like ABS making a slight adjustment on speed, where as with S3, the worst case was EPC light and I lost all the throttle response(only allowed 1200rpm) - exceeding max torque as you mentioned last time) and restart the engine and it was fine. This time I did not get EPS light I get a Triangle lights stayed on same as the traction control lights flashing when you have some wheel spins. The two scenario gives ZERO throttle response and I have pulled off the road and restart the engine. Tommorrow I am going to see VW/Audi dealer who did my Revo. And tell him to check the speed sensor and CV joint rim where the sensor senses. What else do I need to tell him to change??? disable sensor/??would not effect ABS??? and Yes, you were correct TC can not be adjusted even in Revo, hanks again...

 

[S3 Hilife]

Just a thought on a more basic note, You dont have a CAI with inlet mounted low level do you? Which could possibly be sucking in water.

Steve

 

[<tuffty/>]

ESP is always more 'active' on mapped cars especially spikey maps like Revo... the conditions vary as to how actively it cuts load but bare in mind ESP was designed around a std map and the boost request difference will be larger so ESP cutting in will be more obvious...

But as I said, the symptoms you describe are from a fault condition not normal operation... you should be doing a full scan with VCDS as generic fault code scanners don't always pick up everything or your mechanic may have seen a fault not directly associated with this issue thats actually symptomatic of this issue and dismissed it out of hand...

As I said before... if the car did what you say it did leaving the ESP light on and cutting throttle control there will be a fault code in one or more of the control modules... VCDS will pick this up

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

ESP is always more 'active' on mapped cars especially spikey maps like Revo... the conditions vary as to how actively it cuts load but bare in mind ESP was designed around a std map and the boost request difference will be larger so ESP cutting in will be more obvious...

But as I said, the symptoms you describe are from a fault condition not normal operation... you should be doing a full scan with VCDS as generic fault code scanners don't always pick up everything or your mechanic may have seen a fault not directly associated with this issue thats actually symptomatic of this issue and dismissed it out of hand...

As I said before... if the car did what you say it did leaving the ESP light on and cutting throttle control there will be a fault code in one or more of the control modules... VCDS will pick this up

<tuffty/>

thanks , I will have proper scan tomorrow.

 

[oldcar]

Just a thought on a more basic note, You dont have a CAI with inlet mounted low level do you? Which could possibly be sucking in water.

Steve

You are right , I have a sealed straight pod CAI to the LH wheel guard and opened with a hole. So its possible to suck up water droplets while going uphills when its raining/??? If so, I get bog down and throttle response off/???
If so I did have EPC and traction light stayed on two separate occasions. Whats your say??

 

[oldcar]

Its not the traction control... You can full throttle a healthy s3 without it bogging down even in the pouring rain. If it is the traction control, its broke.

In rain day once, I fully throttled and after 3 gear I had EPC light on and lost all throttle response, only allwed me to rev no more than 1200rpm. When I restart the car, it went to normal. Is this caused by CAI or TC??? or both

 

[S3 Hilife]

I Think as Tuffty said get it scanned first but next time your driving in wet weather just disconnect your CAI and see if the filter is wet at least you'll know if its sucking water in

Steve

 

[<tuffty/>]

In rain day once, I fully throttled and after 3 gear I had EPC light on and lost all throttle response, only allwed me to rev no more than 1200rpm. When I restart the car, it went to normal. Is this caused by CAI or TC??? or both

As I have said about a billion times dude.... this a fault condition... this is a load related fault typically the result a faulty throttle pedal or MAF sensor... its not traction control causing this... as for your CAI then who knows if its contributing but... a scan with VCDS will elude to what is happening as there WILL be a fault code relating to this...

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

As I have said about a billion times dude.... this a fault condition... this is a load related fault typically the result a faulty throttle pedal or MAF sensor... its not traction control causing this... as for your CAI then who knows if its contributing but... a scan with VCDS will elude to what is happening as there WILL be a fault code relating to this...

<tuffty/>

Thanks again, this is making a good progress. I will update tommororw. after its done...sigh.....

 

[oldcar]

Just a thought on a more basic note, You dont have a CAI with inlet mounted low level do you? Which could possibly be sucking in water.

Steve

I had an intake inspection yeterday night and decided delaying my trip to VW as its a pouring rain. I looked inside the pod(pod sealed wthin a cone), there were many dirty mud water marks inside thee wall and road debris caught up. My immediate reaction was, WATER was indeed being sucked into my engine while in the rain. And again THIS is my own fault that I should not have opened my wheel guard in the first place to expose the intake. So I replaced the tube now with extesions right behind the front head light-no chance for sucking up any water.

Went for 45 minutes drive in a rain and GUESS WHAT? car runs good and no problem-touch wood. I even able to thrash few times and traction light flashes but all is good.

Now back to my initially question, why did Traction light stayed on and car started to loose power while on the h/way during the rain going uphills with loading. I reckon the excessive water vapour was sucked into the engine and caused misfiring and as you know the car starts shaking when engine misfired as a result it conflict with ESP-traction control and this confuses the ECU=as a result =limp mode ESP light come up. As for another event I had EPC come up after a heavy acceleration 1 to 2 and third=loose power in the rain. Same reason sucked up too much water in a short time the ECU sees something is not right and cut back the throttle...... . See how I go this week, and will be scanned soon by the REVO dealer........

And thank you all who participated in my thread, appreciated very much.........

 

[S3 Hilife]

I'm glad you've found the cause of the problem before any serious damage was done. It would be interesting to see what fault codes are stored anyway.
Even if large amounts of water were not making it to your cylinders (which could have had a far different outcome) I'm sure it was probably confusing the hell out of the maf sensor and your wet filter pod would be very restricted which could explain the ESP light.

It might be a good idea to swap back to a cotton or paper cone filter in the stock position though

Steve

 

[<tuffty/>]

Scan the f*cking car man!... See what codes come up before guessing cause and effect!

If you were sucking up enough water to get anywhere close to what you believe is happening you would have most likely hydrolocked the engine... People pour water and methanol in larger quantities than this into engines dude...

Having a cone filter low enough to pick water in the first place is a dumb idea on a road car...

Speculating about your issue is also stupid as the fault code will give you the answer to why the esp light stayed on

Stop Speculating, get the car scanned with vcds and go from there..

<tuffty/>

 

[S3 Hilife]

Scan the f*cking car man!... See what codes come up

<tuffty/>

Are you saying he should scan the car? You should have said earlier. Hehe

Sorry couldn't resist that one dude

 

[<tuffty/>]

Ok... sadly I was thinking about this on a long drive to work!!...

Assuming you have one of those silly induction kits that has a filter on the end of a pipe that sits in the bumper void (no pics so no actual idea... ) IF you are picking up water then plausibly this MAY affect the MAF readings and subsequently load and fuelling...

Hot film MAF sensors work by using the cooling effect of air being drawn in to 'cool' the MAF element... I won't go into the rest of the details of how it works (you can google it if you need to know) but if water is misting onto the element this could increase the cooling effect which the ECU would see as increased load/volume of air and there fore add more fuel and assume a higher load in its calculations...

This could be the cause of the misfire (running too rich) and it could also have tripped one of the many diagnostic limit tables causing the soft limp condition as the MAF is essentially over reading...

If you have some silly induction kit then personally I would bin it off... in the meantime get the car scanned with VCDS or buy a lead and download VCDS Lite which is free and do it yourself....

<tuffty/>

 

[S3 Hilife]

Ok... sadly I was thinking about this on a long drive to work!!...

<tuffty/>

That right there my friend is Dedication,,,,,, RESPECT

STEVE

 

[oldcar]

Guys,,,Tuffty..tomorrow around lunch time I will drive by VW specialist who does it fro APR not REVO. I will ask him to scan my car. STAY tune.........I want to know the codes too.....

 

[jojo]

Scan the mutha frikin car!

 

[oldcar]

cOk did it today, cost me 80$, normally they charged me nothing.
dealer= Muller@ Muller let me copy the reports to here...

VAG/Vas emulator version 14.10.1
7 faults found:
17608-boost pressure control valve N249
17704 error in mapped cooling system(check thermo temp sensor/thermostate)
16684 _random/multiple cylinder misfire detected
16685-cylinder 1 P0301-35-10-intermittent
16688-cylinder 4 misfire..same as above
16686 cylinder 2 misfroe...same as above
16486 mass air flow sensor(G70) po102 -35-10 signal too low-intermittent
readiness:0000 0000

GUESS WHAT, my deductions were correct about the water sucked up into my engine as I have spoke to the Muller boss, he agreed with me. So thanks for the AUDI ECU that saved my car from hydrolocking which I ddi 10 years ago with my Civic type r(engine was gone).

BIG THANKS to every one, especially to CRAZYLIFE for your concern and Tuffy,,,you own me 40$. Haaaaaaaaaaa

So where did the water go??? Touch wood, no bend rod.....
PS by the way all codes cleared. Car runs normal.

 

[<tuffty/>]

17608-boost pressure control valve N249
Suggests N249 have been bypassed or you have a faulty DV

17704 error in mapped cooling system(check thermo temp sensor/thermostate)
New thermostat required

16684 _random/multiple cylinder misfire detected
16685-cylinder 1 P0301-35-10-intermittent
16688-cylinder 4 misfire..same as above
16686 cylinder 2 misfroe...same as above
All from the missfire so symptomatic

16486 mass air flow sensor(G70) po102 -35-10 signal too low-intermittent
This is the cause of the issue... MAF is potentially faulty

Clear the codes and rescanning to see what returns

<tuffty/>

 

[Prawn]

I'd probably suggest that it's you that owes Tuffty $40.

My bets are on the issue being the MAF and N249 codes causing it and not hydrolocking.

the MAF and N249 are both critical to the operation of the ESP system. Whilst you can mechanically bypass the N249, it's still required for adaptations and normal function. So a faulty one is going to give you issues.

Your MAF code is also intermittent, so it could very well return.

 

[Prawn]

PT beat me to it.

 

[<tuffty/>]

GUESS WHAT, my deductions were correct about the water sucked up into my engine as I have spoke to the Muller boss, he agreed with me. So thanks for the AUDI ECU that saved my car from hydrolocking which I ddi 10 years ago with my Civic type r(engine was gone).

Erm... no... the water killed the MAF... the ECU didn't save your engine... dumb luck saved your engine

...and Tuffy,,,you own me 40$. Haaaaaaaaaaa

Again... no...I won't bother giving you advice in the future so we can call it quits...

<tuffty/>

 

[oldcar]

Erm... no... the water killed the MAF... the ECU didn't save your engine... dumb luck saved your engine



Again... no...I won't bother giving you advice in the future so we can call it quits...

<tuffty/>

Come guys, you can not take a joke man...I was more than happy that ENGINE is saved, you guys are COOL. Stay COOL man, dnt be an angry cat.

 

[Prawn]

Wrong type of cat dude.

This is Tuffty:

 

[oldcar]

Folks, after 2 weeks of patching up the LH wheel guard to stop any water coming and using s2000 filter...mate, last 2 days we have had a pouring rain here. So Its an opportunity for me to try out my car to see if its shut down or not.....and guess what.....car runs like a dream, all problem sorted out due to water issues sucked up into my intake. So a lesson learned here, no CAI lying too low or you will end up a blown engine. Thanks folks.........