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Traction contol light comes on at low speed braking

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Technical Discussion' started by yzfrider2001, Mar 17, 2014.

  1. yzfrider2001

    yzfrider2001 Junior Member

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    My wife just called and told me that while braking (at less than 15 mph) there was a slight thud and the traction control light came on. She is at work now and I won't get a chance to look at it and test it until later today. Any ideas? Thanks in advance!
     
    #1 yzfrider2001, Mar 17, 2014
  2. Patrick Wong

    Patrick Wong DIY Enthusiast

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    1. Check tire inflation pressure.
    2. Check tire tread depth.
     
    #2 Patrick Wong, Mar 17, 2014
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  3. JC91006

    JC91006 Senior Member

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    she might have gone over a speed bump (at a higher rate of speed) or an uneven surface on the road. That will normally happen when that occurs.
     
    #3 JC91006, Mar 17, 2014
  4. Alesf76

    Alesf76 Member

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    Right, this is what happens when braking and the same time hitting a deeper than usual hole or higher than usual bump: the wheel looses traction for a fraction of a second like when on an iced paddle so ABS is engaged.
     
    #4 Alesf76, Mar 17, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    polar vortex, should be fine by june.;)
     
    #5 bisco, Mar 17, 2014
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  6. Easy Rider

    Easy Rider Active Member

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    bisco: Sometimes your inane posts are funny.......but mostly just stupid.

    Add to the list of things that might have happened:
    While lightly braking, ran over a paint strip or large tar snake in the road. Those things can be quite slick if damp or cold. Or maybe hit a patch of oil/grease dropped by another vehicle.
    Or maybe you live in the part of the country where there is still ice on the roads in places.

    When the ABS cuts in momentarily, there can be a disconcerting clunk.
     
    #6 Easy Rider, Mar 17, 2014
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks man, i'll try harder.(y)
     
    #7 bisco, Mar 17, 2014
  8. WilDavis

    WilDavis Senior Member

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    I had exactly the same thing happen just after I braked for a speed-bump (painted, and slippery) in the complex where I live. The light only flickered on for a moment, and I'd noticed it happen before when I did a hill-start, and I drove over a wet/icy man-hole cover. No clunks but I thought it might be the ABS system getting a bit enthusiastic.
     
    #8 WilDavis, Mar 17, 2014
  9. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    That sounds like normal behavior. If a front tire hits a bump while braking, it'll often activate the ABS. The ABS and traction control share that same, yellow light.
     
    #9 tanglefoot, Mar 17, 2014
  10. yzfrider2001

    yzfrider2001 Junior Member

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    Thanks for all of the replies! Ice isn't present here as it was here in Parris Island, SC. I found it odd that this is the first time it has ever happened after two years owning the car. I quizzed her on bumps, etc., but she said she didn't run over any (she is pretty sharp in that area). The only weather conditions was that the road was wet, but its the same route she has been driving since we have been stationed here and have encountered similar conditions before. So, I will just chalk it up to an odd occurance. Now if I can figure out how the gas gauge went from half to one bar in less than five miles...
     
    #10 yzfrider2001, Mar 18, 2014
  11. don m

    don m Junior Member

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    none of this happened to me.A speed from 55 to 65 smooth rds. no braking will not excelerate
     
    #11 don m, Jan 11, 2018
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    hybrid battery going south?
     
    #12 bisco, Jan 11, 2018
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