slip tcs off and antilock lights

[mesallem]

hey guys,

my tcs, slip and antilock lights come on the dash, i just replaced both relays today and for one trip it didnt come on but on my way home they did, what could it be? the antilock doesnt come on all the time but the others do.

[maxnix]

Have you checked your alternator?

[mesallem]

really, my alternator? why would that cause the tcs to come on?

[PachoC]

Check if one of the two relays on the ABS actuator is buzzing. If this is the case, just tap it lightly; it should stop. Lights will go off once you turn the car off and on again

[mesallem]

so just tap the relay near the abs pump?

[mesallem]

i did that and nothing, the lights come on as soon as i go past 10 mph, can someone please help

[goody90q45]

Have you checked your alternator?

^^^^^^^The first post gave you the solution to your problem. ^^^^^^TCS, Slip and Antilock warning lights ON are typical symptoms of a bad alternator. Have it checked and replaced before you start damaging other expensive components.

[mesallem]

ok, here is the update, i tested my alternator with a voltimeter and its reading 13.8-13.94 volts, is that bad, i know the norm is 14v, but im really not that much off, if i change the battery cables, will that give it the extra voltage? do you think its the alternator causing the slip problem? i noticed that if i turn the tcs off when i first start the car the slip light and abs light and tcs off lights dont come on for a while, what do you guys think?

[mesallem]

can anyone help me?

[Q45tech]

Just the voltage doesn't tell you much about an alternator, the missing factor is the ripple [unrectified ac superimposed on dc].

Set VOM on AC and reverse the vom probe connections on the battery.

Ripple should read ~~ <100mv.

http://www.labscopes.com/pg09.htm

[grunze]

For what it's worth if it's not the alternator, I had the same problem.

Code 18 present(TCS operating oil pressure in actuator is abnormally decreased). The TCS reservoir fluid was replaced and the lights coming on decreased in frequency.

Then replaced the differential fluid with Mobil 1 synthetic and the lights have stopped coming on.

[mesallem]

ok here is an update, i checked the self diagnosis and its code 5 for the tcs which is front left wheel sensor malfunction...now my question is, can this just be removed and cleaned, if not, where can i get one and what is the part number. I checked on kragen.com and the closest thing i can find is a left front wheel abs sensor which is over $600.00. insane, is that the part i am looking for... the other question is, i might be heading to the junk yard and am wondering if there are any other cars that share this same sensor because there are not many q45s there. Also is the part specific for each year, will 94 and above work on my 92? thanks

[elwesso]

The ABS and TCS use the same front sensors so I think you'll be OK. Kragen is mistake number 1-50, call joe at infiniti of scottsdale. The connection could be bad, the sensors dont fail that often, but I wouldnt rule it out...

[mesallem]

well is there a part number, i am going to pick n pull later today, could i pick one up another car that shares the same sensor? also maybe this info will tell u if its the sensor or not, the tcs works very occasionally, but as soon as a take a turn either way, the tcs becomes active and slows down my car, then shortly after that all 3 lights appear

[mesallem]

can anyone help me?

[dosborne]

I had a 1991 q45 that had the TCS and slip light. I ended up putting that motor into a 1990 q45 which did not have the TCS or slip light. My problem of lack of power suddenly ended, so I am assuming the TCS must shut off power to the motor somehow which causes the slip light to come on. I am sure this is very generic information-but just thought I would put in my experience, if it helps...

[texasoil]

The TCS/Slip system on the Q45 is poorly integrated--in fact it is not integrated at all in my opinion. The ABS system is rock solid. If your ABS is working fine, it IS NOT a wheel speed sensor, since the same sensor output is used in both systems. It is either a faulty connection to the TCS/Slip computer, or something else in that system. First run the diagnostics with the TCS computer. Run it several times and see if any codes are consistent. Then unplug, clean, and use Stabilant 22 on all the pins and re-connect. Also remove, clean, treat as above and retighten all the ground wire connections ou can get to, especially the ones in the trunk and engine compartment. The system has to get 'clean' millivolt level signals from the speed sensors, the engine control module, ABS module, TCS module, Homeland Security Agency. A dirty /faulty connection of the battery cables, including the red 'plug-in' connections will cause wildly erratic system voltages and cause havoc. Even a failed noise suppressor condenser on a fan, or a bad fan motor (wiper motor, etc) will cause trash on the CAN and other wiring.

[shark1181]

i just got my 92 q45 with all 3 light on but when i check the fuse it was blown i change it and it did the same thing i think it something more thin the alternator i think it might be a short somewhere i really dont want to spend all that money for a alternator and it a 20 dollar short but thank you for help.

[carlosinseattle]

Did you ever get this fugured out? And if so, what caused your problem?

Thanks

[dodiho]

Hello Texas Oil--I am in Mexia-north of you and have a '99Q--Wes,Andy,Maxnix,and others have offered suggestions over the past months...my abs/slip/trac/ lights are on when I start the car and drive it..also the cruise light will come on,but will not hold /engage when set at speed--two stealerships- in Dallas and Austin both wanted to replace my Traction Control Unit for over $1000! but wouldn't guarantee that it would solve my problem--I have a new OBD11 scanner and can get no codes for the problem--your idea sounds more reasonable than others about connections,etc...but: how does one read the TCU module computer? The FSM is a bunch of greek and you need the patience of JOB to go thru the mechanics....the car only has 136,000 miles....and now the scanner says I have an EGR problem---what is that? I used to get almost 24 mpg on the highway-now I get less than 18 mpg....and I have changed the plugs and o2 sensors....I might just take advantage of all the new car sales going on now and will buy something that is not so over engineered...Doug

[in94q45]

For what it's worth if it's not the alternator, I had the same problem.

Code 18 present(TCS operating oil pressure in actuator is abnormally decreased). The TCS reservoir fluid was replaced and the lights coming on decreased in frequency.

Then replaced the differential fluid with Mobil 1 synthetic and the lights have stopped coming on.

I've got the same code 18 on my 94q45. I had the TCS reservoir flushed. The lights are still coming on. How fast and at what sequence did your lights diminish? When can I expect them to stay off? Mine come on almost right after startup but if I turn the car off, then on again, about 3 or 4 times, the lights stay off.

Should I get the TCS flushed again? Do you have any suggestions on what I may try next?

[chipahoy]

what kind of a mechanic would associate the traction control light/slip with an alternator problem? disconnect the batter while the car is running and if it keeps running its not the alternator. wow. probably the actuator for the traction control, its near the abs housing.

[ericthered]

I had a TCS problem that was similar - turned out to be the secondary throttle position sensor/control.
If you have TCS there is a second butterfly in the air inlet path that closes to reduce power.
I could never find a replacement part, so I repaired it - worked solid ever since.

Might explain why someone changed their motor and then their TCS started to work.

p.s., if you have alternator problems, LOTS AND LOTS OF THINGS GET WONKY, not just TCS.

[Shawn_hollen]

I was about to posted today about my tcs light how I finally got it off. I have a 99 q45 and I've had the same prob as a lot of people on here and other forms with the TCS/slip light on the dash. Today I took my secondary throttle position sensor off and put it back on and it took the lights off. I still have a cylinder 7 misfire but the annoying lights are off. So I hope some of u guys try this and works for u thanks.