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Traction control engages at high speed

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by polodude, Dec 13, 2014.

  1. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    Started yesterday. Dry road. Brand new Perrelli P4s . at about 60-65 traction control comes on and car starts doing the "surging"
    I had the same tires on it up to this point so except for being new,no difference.

    Any ideas?
     
  2. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Double check that the tire pressures are all close to where they should be. Most here recommend near 40 psi for best mpg, slightly more in front than rear.
     
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    Faulty wheel speed sensor(s)?

    SCH-I535
     
  4. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    If it is a wheel speed sensor? where are they located? anyway to test them? Are they a major PITA to change?
     
  5. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    The sensors are located behind the hubs on all 4 wheels. you need a scanner to read them, but before you worry about that, check your tire pressures and make sure the tire shop didn't accidently put a different size tire on your car. wouldn't be the first time a tire jockey pulled 1 or 2 wrong size tires and slapped em on the wheels without looking. generally if the wss is bad it will throw a code.
     
  6. Easy Rider 2

    Easy Rider 2 Senior Member

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    Since you noticed this you HAVE checked the tire pressures......right ??

    Your profile doesn't indicate where you are but I think it is possible that cold weather, new tires and a jerk installer putting in WAY too much air might be the cause.

    If you don't find anything else, try running them at the Toyota recommended pressure for a few days or weeks until they get "broken in".
     
  7. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    Double checked. both tires same size. Pressure is 44 . tried again today and TC kicks in about 60mph . Straight level dry road
     
  8. northwichita

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    ----both tires same size---- so did you replace just one set or all 4 ? Just trying to find some size difference that could be causing this..
     
  9. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    I replaced the two front tires. Rear tires are same size just have more wear.
     
  10. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    Try deflating the fronts a bit to compensate for their larger diameter.
     
  11. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Just because tires are the same "size" doesn't mean that the rotate the same "revolutions per mile". Are the new tires the same brand/model as the old tires? If not, what brand/model tires are the old ones and the new ones?

    JeffD
     
  12. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    Yes same exact model of tire Pirreli P4 all weather. Tires were at 34 psi at start. That is what the tire place mounted set it to.
     
  13. polodude

    polodude New Member

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    Is there a way to test the Wheel speed sensors?
     
  14. nh7o

    nh7o Off grid since 1980

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    You would need the mini VCI to monitor the wheel speed sensors. If there was a hard fault with one of the sensors, there would be a DTC set immediately, and the ABS and VSC lights would stay on. If one of the sensors was bumped during the tire change operation, it might have the consequences you are seeing, but I would more expect the hard type of fault in that case. To inspect them you would have to take the wheels off and have a look. Not too hard to see them.
     
    #14 nh7o, Dec 15, 2014
    Last edited: Dec 15, 2014
  15. 69shovlhed

    69shovlhed Surly tree hugger

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    any decent scanner can read the sensors; you hook it up to the obd port and drive with a friend to monitor the wheel speeds. know any technicians?
     
  16. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    Possibly a slipping torque-limiter.
     
  17. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Set the front tyre pressures to 40 psi - no more than that. Set the rear tyre pressures to 38 psi. Go for an extended drive that involves cruising at the speeds you previously mentioned. Make sure the road your're doing this on is NOT a rough road. If you're still having problems, then either one of those tyres has a manufacturing fault, it's the sensors that are indeed faulty (never heard of this before....), or maybe your brakes are faulty and "grabbing".....without your knowledge and need overhauling.......also extremely rare.

    Hope that helps.
    Let us know the outcome please :)
     
  18. Data Daedalus

    Data Daedalus Senior Member

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    Do Prii have torque limiters? :confused:
     
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  19. jdenenberg

    jdenenberg EE Professor

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    Yes, there is a torque limiter between the ICE and the HSD. It rarely causes problems.

    JeffD
     
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  20. Britprius

    Britprius Senior Member

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    A slipping torque limiter will also throw a DTC, but this is not the cause of the OP's problem. Also the best "new" tyres should be on the rear not the front of the car. If all the tyres are the same size apart from ware difference a scanner such as the VCI is the only way to diagnose the problem.

    John (Britprius)
     
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