Traction Control Button

[firetbabe]

I always wonder what this was so I pulled out my manual to see. But when I pushed the button nothing happened. Last night I was sitting there and thought why doesn't this work, so I took my finger nail and ran along the edges to see if it would lift out and guess what it does.......I look in the whole where the botton sits and there is nothing in there. WTF....the button itself looks like a fuse or something should be in there, but I am not sure. Does anyone know what should be in there to make the TC work?

[BNaylor]

It would help to post your year and specific model to facilitate an answer.

[firetbabe]

2004 Gt

[BNaylor]

Starting in the 2003-2004 and up model years GM decided to make ABS and traction control optional and not standard equipment on the base and GT1 models. The GT2, GTP and Comp G models do have ABS and traction control standard. So if you have a base or GT1 model you may not have ABS or traction control therefore, the pushbutton is probably non-functional. But I'm only taking a good guess. Do you know what specific model you have or whether you have the ABS braking and traction control system installed?

[unclejohnny_69]

Originally Posted by BNaylor

...So if you have a base or GT1 model you may not have ABS or traction control therefore, the pushbutton is probably non-functional...

If you have a base model (and I assume a GT1) with 4-wheel disc ABS then you should have traction control.

I remember reading that in my owner's manual. I have a 2005 base GP w/ABS & TC.

[firetbabe]

Per the sticker I have antilock brake system and enhanced traction system and tire inflation monitor.

Can anyone please tell me why there is nothing under the button. or what should be under the button?

[richtazz]

I cannot find any info on the drivers info display, as it is a part serviced outside of GM (like radios and instrument clusters). I would assume that a car with the base engine (even with enhanced traction control and ABS) doesn't have a defeatable traction control due to the low probability that the owner would attempt to use it in a scenario where it would be desirable to do so.

[unclejohnny_69]

Originally Posted by firetbabe

Per the sticker I have antilock brake system and enhanced traction system and tire inflation monitor.

Can anyone please tell me why there is nothing under the button. or what should be under the button?

It is possible that the sticker is wrong. May have been an honest mistake by the dealer. If there's nothing under the button and when you press it "Traction Control Off" does not appear on your DIC, you either do not have TC/ETS or the switch is faulty. If it's faulty and you do not see a yellow "TC" with a slash through it near your tach, then it is locked in the engaged mode. When I get home from work I will post a picture of what should be under the TC button if you have TC/ETS.

I believe carfax reports list the options that the vehicle came with (someone correct me if I'm wrong). Did your GP come with one?

Originally Posted by RichTazz

I would assume that a car with the base engine (even with enhanced traction control and ABS) doesn't have a defeatable traction control due to the low probability that the owner would attempt to use it in a scenario where it would be desirable to do so.

You know what "assuming" does, right? LOL For the record I can enable/disable my ETS with the button, and I have the base 3800 SIII engine w/ABS.

[unclejohnny_69]

Here's the pics I promised:

What should be under the TC button The orange thing is just a small light bulb.

DIC display when TC/ETS is turned off

Tach guage when TC/ETS is turned off

You may want to check the other two items on the sticker. Press the Info button (the "i") on your DIC while in park (key on) and you should cycle through available options. You should eventually come across the Tire Pressure Monitoring System screen.

As far as ABS goes, this is a pic of what you should have. It's the little box with the colored dots on it.