traction control? Can you turn it OFF?

[seahorse]

Hi there.
My husband has a 2000 cavalier. He has called me more than once swearing a blue streak because he almost got in an accident because the traction control kicked in and cut power and he couldn't get going. Once he actually had to back up to get out of the path of a semi because he couldn't get going to get onto the highway.
On my grand prix I have a button on the dash to turn the TC off, which I do whenever we have bad roads. It's a great feature if it's raining heavy so that you don't hydroplane, but when it comes to snow here in WI we need to have control.
Is there any way to disconnect the TC, or is it tied into the ABS? We don't want to lose that.
Thanks for any responses. This is a great forum!

[OverAllComa]

I'm sure there's a more technical way to go about doing it, but for a quick fix...try clicking the ebrake up one notch.

Just make sure you also turn on the headlights b/c it turns off the DRL's

[vamc]

Originally Posted by OverAllComa

I'm sure there's a more technical way to go about doing it, but for a quick fix...try clicking the ebrake up one notch.

Just make sure you also turn on the headlights b/c it turns off the DRL's

If you did that, you will have the back pass. side brake to engage, it may work, but now you could send them out of controll and wear down the back break and give them bad gas mi. and could kill that calapers. I dont think thats a smart idea.

[OverAllComa]

Originally Posted by vamc

If you did that, you will have the back pass. side brake to engage, it may work, but now you could send them out of controll and wear down the back break and give them bad gas mi. and could kill that calapers. I dont think thats a smart idea.

A single notch clicked up won't engage anything on your rear drums unless you got the cable WAY too tight. Also, bear in mind, I never said it was a good idea, I just said it'd work for what they're hoping to accomplish.

[BlasZ24]

There should be a switch to turn it off right beside the dimmer switch. Just push the button and you should see in the dash lights that the TC is off.

[vamc]

sounds good.

[twstdpenguin]

I dont know about the 2000 Cavys. But in my 04 theres no button to turn it off. But you can turn it off int the a.t. by putting the car in 2nd or 1st gear. And this way you dont have to pull on the e-brake.

[BlasZ24]

Are you sure there is no switch that doesnt sound right. I have a 2000 Sunfire GT and it has the switch right there with the fog lights and dimmer switch.

[twstdpenguin]

Originally Posted by BlasZ24

Are you sure there is no switch that doesnt sound right. I have a 2000 Sunfire GT and it has the switch right there with the fog lights and dimmer switch.

Nope.... no switch. The only way you can turn the traction control off is to put it into 1st or 2nd gear. Well at least on the 03 to 05 4sd auto cavy.