Traction stuck in "off"

Jun 21, 2010
883
1
Stockton on Tees
Not such a bad thing as the TCS is far too interfering but after a little thrash of the car earlier the traction wont switch back on? the light is lit on the dash and wont do anything at all when pushing the button, any ideas guys?

thanks :D
 

techie

Skoda Techie
Mar 22, 2003
5,438
5
Worcs
Need to get the fault codes read, there is a fault somewhere. Could be in brakes, might be engine related.
 
Jun 21, 2010
883
1
Stockton on Tees
the car was obviously losing traction and i was getting loads of wheel spin, straight after that happened, i know this as i physically turned the traction off before i set off out, you reckon with the wheels spinning its brakes related mate?
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
It's likely to be an ABS sensor, they're a bit of a weak point and the ABS/ESP/TCS systems all rely on them. Read the code on VAGCOM and you'll be able to find out what needs to be fixed.
 

andycupra

status subject to change
this is classic maf failure.

it will likely seem to be running ok using slightly safer settings.
Maf ffailure lights up the TCS light, and you will lose traction control also, i assume as the engine control system uses some sort of loading factor.

EDIT i see you found this info somewhere else.. :)
 
Feb 26, 2009
5,275
1
Wolverhampton
Oh yeah, I forgot that one! I think it's because it's so bizarre that my brain thinks it can't be true, but a thousand VAG owners can't be wrong! :)
 

t32er

Guest
i just want to jump on this thread... sorry to kidnap it but saves a new thread geing started on the same thing.
my tc light is on, car seems to run fine, i did discon the maf connector at the weekend and had no change in tick over etc, i didnt drive it though - also when scanned last with vag com it didnt show any fault with abs, tc etc but nor did it have any maf issues????
 

seatcupramad23

kc4even23
Sep 7, 2009
3,239
3
birmingham
when my maf was on its last legs the tcs light came on after about a 1minute of driving after switching engine on didn't register any codes but was told by seat specialist its defo maf related changed it an presto no more light cars perfect
 

cupra265

Guest
when my maf was on its last legs the tcs light came on after about a 1minute of driving after switching engine on didn't register any codes but was told by seat specialist its defo maf related changed it an presto no more light cars perfect

strange how maf is related to tcs lol
 

seatcupramad23

kc4even23
Sep 7, 2009
3,239
3
birmingham
very i wouldn't of taught so but had that problem and took it to a vw/audi specialist which diagnosed it said no faults found which i found weird but then he said he had a auq leon come in 3 months ago with the exact same thing he changed the maf and all was well , baffled but if its fixed aint complaining to be honest
 

Joe_Cupra-R

Guest
Sorry for another hi-jack but I have the same problem, the thing that's confusing me although it's probably just coincidence is I have just changed my wash/wiper stalk and the first time I drove it the TCS light came on and won't go off... I can't see I could have done anything to affect the TCS so maybe the MAF is the likely cause...?
 
Jun 21, 2010
883
1
Stockton on Tees
iv just been pricing mafs and they aint cheap like, not for o.e anyway. Iv never had a problem with my Tc until i unplugged the maf so its gotta be linked like everyone says, be worth checking yours mate
 

MK R BOY

Active Member
Mar 5, 2008
143
5
hi all
i too have had this, I had it cleared with no faults found but its back after a few weeks of driving. Can you tell what exactly the maf is?? what it stands for,does, can be found etc

many thanks.
 
Jun 21, 2010
883
1
Stockton on Tees
mass airflow sensor, measure air coming in through your filter, found next to your airbox, your airbox connects onto it, the plastic housing with a plug connection on it mate, or your induction kit will be strapped to it of your running an open intake
 

t32er

Guest
Sorry for another hi-jack but I have the same problem, the thing that's confusing me although it's probably just coincidence is I have just changed my wash/wiper stalk and the first time I drove it the TCS light came on and won't go off... I can't see I could have done anything to affect the TCS so maybe the MAF is the likely cause...?

mine came on after fitting my boost gauge and brake pads - i know my ABS still works so dont think its a sensor on the brakes, LCR maff just cost a fortune...
 

MK R BOY

Active Member
Mar 5, 2008
143
5
Hi

Thanks for that, I went to my garage yesterday and he showed me the MAF, he made sure it was connected up correctly but still the light is on.

He has no answer as to why or how it can affect the TCS, I am trying to get it booked onto some AUDI test rig, but they dont deal with the public so need to try the back door, but apparantly all the local VAG dealership people send their cars to them when they cant fix them!! so fingers crossed.

Does anyone have an explaination as to how the MAF connects to the TCS or how it works with it?? and no offence but I would rather only first hand knowledge and not any guesses.

ATB
 
Jun 21, 2010
883
1
Stockton on Tees
iv have been told since i asked the question that the TCs uses the air measurement from the maf to guage whether the wheels are spinning, for instance if your driving along at 40 and boot it, with traction the rise in pull will be a smooth and steady increase, where as if you lose traction there will be a sharp increase in the maf reading, which is obviously set within tolerances, and that will trigger the TC to calm things down a bit. How far true this is i couldnt confirm, i know you wanted a definitive answer but its the most logical iv come across so far
 
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