Trac Not Available/Failsafe Engine Mode/ASC Not Available messages
#1
#2
#3
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Trying to escape Central Florida
Posts: 4,712
Received 1,813 Likes
on
1,328 Posts
#4
Very casual driving. 15 MPH. Ironically it was within half a mile of the identical location both times. Slow city driving. No racing or towing.
#5
Any OBD codes thrown at the same time? I know bad power connections inside the ABS module can throw asc/trac faults. Low battery/alt voltage can cause this as well. I don't remember if that will throw the failsafe error as well.
Also possibly slightly dirty wheel speed sensors?
Also possibly slightly dirty wheel speed sensors?
No OBD codes. I am going to take it in Friday but it might not matter if the error messages are not showing anymore.
#6
When you say no OBD codes do you mean just P codes checked with a generic code reader? Transmission, ABS and other systems are not covered by P codes.
A weak battery can cause the symptoms you reported, so having the battery load tested and alternator checked would be important, at least to eliminate them as sources of trouble.
A weak battery can cause the symptoms you reported, so having the battery load tested and alternator checked would be important, at least to eliminate them as sources of trouble.
#7
Agree with advice to check battery. Put it on a charger and get it fully charged. One of the best lessons I have learned on this forum is that when weird, funky stuff starts happening, the battery is always Public Enemy #1. I now keep my '99 XJ8 on a maintenance charger every time I park it at home based on sound advice I received here, and this stuff has stopped happening. Give it a try. It's free and it just might work!
Trending Topics
#8
Agree with advice to check battery. Put it on a charger and get it fully charged. One of the best lessons I have learned on this forum is that when weird, funky stuff starts happening, the battery is always Public Enemy #1. I now keep my '99 XJ8 on a maintenance charger every time I park it at home based on sound advice I received here, and this stuff has stopped happening. Give it a try. It's free and it just might work!
#9
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Trying to escape Central Florida
Posts: 4,712
Received 1,813 Likes
on
1,328 Posts
The following users liked this post:
CarGuy (01-25-2017)
#10
Ground Cable Issue?
Great suggestion for a regular inspection item. I'm curious. Was it galvanic corrosion, rust, frayed strands? What had gone bad, and what do you think caused it?
#11
I'm not sure your mechanic will be able to tell much -- I don't believe anything is stored if it did not hold a code.
The car uses what is called a CAN network to operate -- everything is interconnected. If the car looses any inputs it goes into this mode.
The Tbody holds the TPS and PPS both are culprits as is the brake switch. Try pushing the throttle to the floor a bunch of times (engine/ignition off) -- this may clean both the TBody sensors. They are both very sensitive to dirt and sit in a very narrow range all the time -- I had the same issue around 4 years ago .. this eliminated my problem.
Battery -- can't be overstated ... if yours is 5 years old .. replace it. I was getting the shutdown last year.
The car uses what is called a CAN network to operate -- everything is interconnected. If the car looses any inputs it goes into this mode.
The Tbody holds the TPS and PPS both are culprits as is the brake switch. Try pushing the throttle to the floor a bunch of times (engine/ignition off) -- this may clean both the TBody sensors. They are both very sensitive to dirt and sit in a very narrow range all the time -- I had the same issue around 4 years ago .. this eliminated my problem.
Battery -- can't be overstated ... if yours is 5 years old .. replace it. I was getting the shutdown last year.
#12
#13
#14
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Trying to escape Central Florida
Posts: 4,712
Received 1,813 Likes
on
1,328 Posts
What happened was the car was dead after shutting it down for a few hours. The interior lights worked on door opening and it dinged when I put the key in. I went to start it and everything went out, even the clock. This being the second time it had done it, I waited about 5 minutes this time listening and checking, then I went into the battery compartment and grabbed the lanyard and it was warm. I knew I had my culprit then.
I went over to my indy to talk to him about it and he had just taken one off of an XK, ironic as that moment was. Bottom line, age got it, like it gets us all.
#15
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Trying to escape Central Florida
Posts: 4,712
Received 1,813 Likes
on
1,328 Posts
Now why would we want to give him a direct answer, that would be too easy. I have to say I don't recall reading that post JT....dang, I have to catch up
#16
+1 on checking the battery and/or alternator voltage
+1 on checking the soldering points for the ABS pump connection inside the ABS module. Had the ASC/TRAC message increasing intermittently (from once/3 month a year ago to daily during the last few weeks before Christmas). It always showed up after driving awhile, especially when the engine compartment got warmed up when stopping at lights or in traffic jams. Since resoldering my issue vanished completely.
Did the issue appear only twice or did you experience it again in the meantime?
+1 on checking the soldering points for the ABS pump connection inside the ABS module. Had the ASC/TRAC message increasing intermittently (from once/3 month a year ago to daily during the last few weeks before Christmas). It always showed up after driving awhile, especially when the engine compartment got warmed up when stopping at lights or in traffic jams. Since resoldering my issue vanished completely.
Did the issue appear only twice or did you experience it again in the meantime?
#17
a common problem with the sensor failure .. some of the early non-SC car's have a service action regarding the Tbody replacement. No parts are available --- replacement only. Some have used a rebuilder.
#18
#19
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Trying to escape Central Florida
Posts: 4,712
Received 1,813 Likes
on
1,328 Posts