2001 Pontiac Sunfire trac off light

CHRIS ROBERTS

MEMBER
2001 PONTIAC SUNFIRE
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
137,000 MILES

Any time I drive or turn a corner my trac off light comes on and sometimes my car shuts down completely after turning. Lately it has come on more and my car doesn't want to go over 40 mph. My mechanic has checked over my car (computer hook-up) and can't seem to find a problem. This is very annoying and is making it hard to drive back and forth to work. I'm driving on interstate roads so they aren't super bumpy or wet or anything that is unnormal for winter months.

Thursday, March 5th, 2009 AT 9:23 PM

3 Replies

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

I have a couple questions. Please answer as correctly as you can, it'll make a big difference in the diagnosis.
Does the track light come on going straight down the road?
If yes, does it come on at highway speeds, city driving, or both?
Does the trac light only come on when you're turn a corner? If yes, does the light go out shortly after you have turned the corner?
Please advise.
Also, the trac light may or may not be related to the stalling.

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Thursday, March 5th, 2009 AT 10:54 PM

CHRIS ROBERTS

MEMBER
2 POSTS

The answer to the first question is yes it does come on when driving straight down roads. The answer to the second question is that it comes on at highway and city speeds. Usually the light doesn't shut off until I shut the car off and restart it while I'm driving. Sometimes this works but lately the light will eventually come on again and stay on.

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Friday, March 6th, 2009 AT 10:41 AM

JAMES W.

MECHANIC
2,394 POSTS

There is a sensor on your transaxle that tell the ECM if one of your front wheels is spinning faster than the other as on ice or snow. This then locks the frontend together for greater traction. This sensor apparently is malfunctioning if the light comes on going straight down a dry road. What you will need to do is have the computer connected to a diagnostic unit where the trac system can be monitored and pinpoint the problem. It is a relatively simple repair, but diagnosis requires special equipment. Hope this helps.

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